Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-10-27
CABINET RUMORS.
Disagreoments which May Lead to
Changes.
Washington Star Special, 24td.

Washington Times Star Special 24th.
An air of truth is given to the story
about trouble in the Cabinet by the state
ment that it involves two members. If it
had been said the disagreement involved
only one member some people would not
have believed it. One OF the two emphat-
ically complains of interference with the
affairs of his department by the head of
another department.. The President hav-
ing assumed the entire responsibility for
the alleged grievance. the complaining
member of the Cabinet has only to yield
gracefully or resign.
The half of what did actually happen
has not been told, and probably all will
never be known except by the President
and his advisers. They are naturally dis
inclined to talk about the matter for pub
licatiOn, but in private conversation some
of them are less reticent. 1t appears that
the ''disagreement' involves more than
two members of the Cabinet. For some
time the Secretary of State has felt jeal-
Gus of the influence and activity of the
Secretary of the Navy as we'll as resent
ful, on account of his ''unwarranted in
reference in matters which belong to
the State Department.
When the Cabinet had assembled, Mr..
Frelinghuysen,. who it is well known is of
a rather eXciUable temperament, said the
protest against any further interference
with matters concerning his department
by the Secretary of the Navy. When the
State and Navy Departments were
brought side by side under the same
roof, he had felt a misgiving on
account of the restless disposition of Mr..
Chandler, and as n wise precautiOn
he had cOntrived high and strong iron
gates, surmOunted with sharp pickets,
and directed them to be placed in all
passageways between the two depart
ments. He had ordered these gates to be
securely locked every night, in order to
give Mr.. Chandler to understand that he
was not to trespass upon the dignity or
functions of the diplomatic department
of the government. His precautions and
warnings had been of no avail.
Not only had an officer of the navy
negotiated a treaty with COrea, but when
the COrean Embassy unfurled its FLAG in
Washington recently in his absence, two
navy officers mad, by direction of the head
of their department, been temporarily
attached to the suite of the Embassy.
Moreover, another officer of the navy
had Just published, under the official
auspices of that department, descrip-
tive sketch of COrea and the Coreans.
When Mr.. Frelinghuysen concluded with
the remark that he would submit to no
other department, there was subdued ap-
plause from several members Of the Cabi-
net, and the President showed signs of
anxiety. Secretary FOlger said he was
impelled to remark that he had felt that
there was ''unwarranted interferencev
with matters belonging to his department.
The President seemed more uneasy and
perpleXed than ever, and turned to the
Postmaster General and Attorney Gen
eral, with whom he held whispered con-
ference, which was interrupted by the
Secretary Of War. Mr.. Lincoln said he
had hitherto been silent respecting what
he regarded as unwarranted interferenees
by the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of the Navy in matters which
belonged solely to the military arm of the
government.
The discussion got so warm that the
President was compelled to interfere and
abruptly adjourned the meeting.
1t is said that when the President adj
jOurned the meeting he did it with the re-
mark that he assumed the entire RESPONSE
bility, and if any gentleman did not like
it he could resign his office.