New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-21
THE POSITION OF SECRETARY EvARTs.

A STATEMENT By BIN THAT HIS CONDUCT HAS NOT
BREN INFLUENCED BY HOSTILITY TOWARD MR..
coSKLING-MR. FOKsTERs WITHDRAWAL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIPUNE.
wAsHIxGroS, Feb. 20.-Secretary Evarts awaits
with sense of satisfaction the time when he will
put of the mantle of authority and return to
congenial pursuits than those which have absorbed
bis attention during the last four years. The Ad-
ninistration of which he has been so conspicuous
member will, by reason of its fair and efficient
management of affairs, fill an honorcd place in the
Nations history The purity of its motives and the
success which its efforts have contributed
more perhaps than any other single influence, ex-
cepting only the well proven folly of its political
enemies, to .perpetuate Republican ascendancy
Mean motives have been ascribed for almost every
act and irresponsible gossips have found supposed
confirmation in its silence under attack. Assailed
almost as often and bitterly by men within its own
party organization as by its political opponents. it
has sought no vindcation beyond that which time
was bound to bring. Latterly. m the absence of
worthier subjects OF pubic attention, the avowed
enmity Of Senator Conkling has been exaggerated
into an Importance it has not deserved and the as
sumption has been made that the President and his
Cabinet advisers were actuated by opposing enmity
even to the extent of making its qualification
settled feature Of administrative policy
The public good, according to current rumor,
has been c0nspicuously lost sight of recently, and
IL has been said that the later New-York appoint
inents have been made with no higher motive than
TO humiliate the Nev-York Senator. Naturally,
upon Secretary Evartss shoulders has been laid the
great burden OF the responsibility for this course.
To gentleman who called upon the Secretary one
evening Last week, he spoke with some freedom in
regard 10 this subject, and the liberty is taken,
without his consent, to mako public the substance
of his remarks upon one point. The withdrawal, by
Mr.. Forsters request of his nomination as District
Attorney for the Southern District of New-York
had been incidentally referred to. "It was a. sur
prise to me- said the Secretary; knew nothing
Of IT until saw 1t mentioned in the newspapers.
Mr. Forster is good man, and did not suppose he
would allow himself to be driven from the field. 1t
will be misfortune If the Republicans of New York
are not to be allowed. when they wish TO do So to
nominate man 90 unexcsptionable to local Office
Of sneh importance. l an surprised ct the sub
eefyieney of UDitedStates Senator's who allow them
seasess \ popular report Is to be credited to be
esAMe ~ Leto combinations against appoiDtee for
n2 ust reason than that ne is not personally agree
no's % Z lew individuals. Appointments must be
~ ~ a rnssntly and u they continue to give rise
turmoil '''A 80 - We snaii 10 IN constant
Yon are credited. Mr. Secretary said the visitor
against Senator MlsG p pfnrs the chief offender
nation OF men to Offices in New xSo ara nnt
personally agreeable to hir16 'o1A "n' aio no'
o.lx Yes was the reply; people attribute to me the
While do lot approve acme Of tSa n,;oo
sss..of y, ConSng, my efforts have not been d.
BEEN to 90 nqIblng qow2 any My has
ss @ keep the rebels the ensmes o Sno Ur aHs oT
fro nysr em % increasing the measure Of their Con-
tbeir osr .ns. snQ my principles have worked out
n,sto win detenine Republican Pres'dant ba"
sas pegT s'eeteq and for another fonr wears AZ
ss ~ nst'onai viii be in safe hands
sectiyely II the pablc repYsssnfsfIon re-
ssfss ss s q solrss has aso been succsssfal Small
~ s; Dess VI pe5 y arse Pieces bat our respect
: 4SsuAL MEETING or THE TRACT SOCIETY
MAsk'SoToF. Feb. 20-Ths washington animal
sst'ns of the Amsricsn Tract Society was held in
~. Lutheran Church this afternoon The
" sheazer secretary of the Society raad