Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-30
ARTHUR ANXIOUS.
Ahe PRESIDENT and Cabinet Panic-Struek
by the Impending Disaster in New York.


Washington Special to CHICAGO Tribune.
The following statement as to the recent
action and contemplated action Of the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet with respect to the
political situation in New York and else
wnere, Is derived from so high a sougce that
there can be no reasonable doubt as TO its
accuracy in all essential particulars. It will
be seen that the visit of the President has
been OF unusual significance, and that the
political chapter which is now about to be
opened by the administration is the most
important one thus far of the campaign.
President Arthur will return to New York
10 morrow, having accomplished the obisct
Tor which he came to Washington. Although
he spent ten days at Alexandra Bay, he
did not entirely forget the political situs-
tion, esp ecisllY In New York With him
was personal friend, r G. Dun. 1t is now
known that the political situation was talked
over at the time, and that General Arthur
confessed that his political life was at stake
In the approaching election in New York.
The relations of Judge Folger to the Cabi-
net and to the parties in New York were
fully discussed, aud General Arthur then
said that, as soon as he had finished HIS en-
gagement in Boston, he would 90 to Wash
ington and have final consultation with
his Cabinet upon the situation. He thought
this would be especially justified by the fact
that Folger, a member of his Cabinet, was a
candidate for Governor
Secretary Folger had intimated to him his
entire willingness to resign the po-
sition OF Secretary II 1t was thought
best. General Arthur communicated
with the Cabinet, urging that they meet him
In Washington by Friday OF last week. They
were all here except Attorney General
Brewster, who was unable to be present At
this first meeting the situation in New York,
Pennsylvania and elsewhere was. discussed
with great freedom, and the various views
Of members OF the Cabinet were obtained
by the President. The President did not
commit himself, however. at that time, sim
ply contenting himself with obtaining the
views of his advisers. He said, however,
that he considered the situation OF vital
Importance to the Republican party, and
that In his own State matters had SO shaped
themselves as to make 1t important
to his administration to succeed,
although be had last summer thought
otherwise. 1t was plain that the main
question as to which Genaral Arthur de-
sired the opinion of the Cabinet was
whether Judge Folger should remain 4 his
Cabinet, or retire before his election. Judge
Folger said that his presence at Cabinet
meetings was an embarrassment to the Cabi-
net; that the other members did not speak
with their customary freedom. His per.
sonal relations with the President and Cabi-
net have been so friendly that that very fact
acted as a coDstraint upon their interchange
OF opinion. He therefore said at the meet
ing that he should 90 to New York; that he
trusted the Cabinet, during his absence,
would discuss his own relations to the situa-
tion with perfect freedom, and that their
conclusions should be sent TO him at the
earliest possible moment He also stated
that the Republican Committee OF New
hanu i'm tn falDa
part IN the canvass, and had informed him
that It was vital that he should do so,
That night last Friday, Immediately after
the Cabinet meeting, It appears a dispatch
passed between William E. Chandler, Sec
retarY Of the Navy, and John F. Smyth,
Secretary OF the Republican Committee of
New York; aud Congressman Crowley, who
was here, left on the evening train for New
York city, iatrusted with message giving
in detail what the cipher dispatches prob
ably hinted at Incidentally It may be said
that immediately after CrowleY's interview
with Smyth It was announced that Judge
Folger would speak in Brooklyn.
On Saturday there was another Cabinet
meeting, which was held there for the rea-
son that Secretary Teller was obliged to
leave that night for Colorado. The situa-
ton was considered at great length at that
time, but no definite conclusion was rea ehed.
This afternoon still another Cabinet meet
ing was held upon the subject. There
seems also to have been special confer
ence last night at the Soldiers Home cot
tage, where the President stops. Secretary
Chandler, FrankIHattoD, of the Post Office
Department, and Assistant Secretary New,
OF the Treasury, and Attorney General
Brewster were present. This afternoon 1t
was understood that some definite conclu-.
sion would be reached respecting Judge
Folger's relation to the Cabinet, as well as
To n w%Iaw -ee 1t ~.
In New Yo-k and Pennsylvania.
This conclusion of the Cabinet was for
wsrded to Judge Folger tonight. But the
Cabinet do not feel that the President has
fully decided to present those views to Fol-
ger in the same strong light. They do not
believe that Folger will tender his resigua-
tim unless the President shall say he thinks
1t is necessary 1t is, however, probable
that the President will supplement this
opinion of the Cabinet with his own to the
same effect, and that the resignation OF Fol-
ger may be soon expected, and that Judge
Folger will immediately take an active part
In the campaign, as will be indicated by his
opening speech in Brooklyn.
At these three Cabinet meetings another
question was considered. That was the
status OF Collector Robertson, of New York,
The President, in no ambiguous words, ex-
pressed himself as believing that the whole
trouble In New York was caused by what be
called the duplicity of the Collector. 1t
was stated at the Cabinet meeting that the
Collector had never been urged to give his
support to any candidate for the nomina-
tion; that when Judge Folger's name was
mentioned he came to Washington of his
own accord and informed Judge Folger and
the President that he should most heartily
support Folger. He was taken at his word.
His course was afterwards characterized by
duplicity. This was the opinion of the Presi-
dent and the Cabinet, aud in case Judge
Folger is defeated Robertson will be imme-
distely removed. Some favor his present
removal. The plan, incidentally, OF the
administration is to elect Judge Folger
Governor through combinations in New
York city. 1t is thought that; by his per-
sonal presence In the canvass, he can hold
the vote in the State-at-large, while, by
combination in New York city, which Presi-
dent Arthur will be able to make, franklin
Efson may indeed be elected Mayor, but
Folger will at the same time be elected
Governor. The citizens movement is really
planned as an adjunct to this general
theory.
This statement as to the action OF the
President and Cabinet, as said at the begin
ming, is derived from such a source as to
nwfN