Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-02-28
GORRINGE
Cannot Find Language Severe Enough
60 Characterize the Conduct of
Secretary Chandler,
Who A ccused Him of Dislo ally and Dis
honor, aud Afierward Confessed
Himself Liar.

New YORK, February 27.-Li lieut.. Com
mander Gorringe, who returned TO this city
from Washington on Monday evening, was
asked whether he had seen Secretary Chand.
ler's letter TO the President with reference
to his recent resignation. He answered..
81 was shown copy OF il in the Executive
Mansion this morning" said Mr.. Gorfinge,
land Was very much grsti6gq 10 find that
il sustained the position that have taken,
that Mr.. Chandler bad no excuse for writ
ipe me his letter OF February 10:h, which
amounted, in substance, 10 accusing me of
Gisloyalty and dishonor; for he states in his
letter to the President that there are no
charges pending against me, and no evidence
on record in the department or within his
knowledge OF sny act or expression If mine
that should be investigated prior TO the sc.
ceptance of my resignation. Mr.. Chandler
was, therefoxe, either lying, when he wrote
to me that the suggestion had been made to
him that / was engaged in interests not
American, or he lice when he writes to the
President, to state that there is no evidence
on record in his department, or within his
knowledge, Of any act or expression OF mine
that ought to be Investigated; for, surely, an
officer Of the navy, who is charged with
furlheriug interests not American, should
have his conduct investigated very
promptly. Chandler is also guilty OF
deliberate falsehood in his statement
to the press, published this morning, tina the
President had accepted my resizna-
ton on Thursdsy. As matter of fact, the
President knew nothing about this resigna.
ton whatever until / communicated it to
him myself on Thursday, and hsd not per-
sonally acted upon il up to Friday noon.
1t shows, therefore, that Mr.. Chandler, in
accepting my resignation, took advantage of
what he seems TO consider the rights of heads
OF departments, 10 act for the President, and
in SO doing have their acts binding. 1t re-
mains TO be seen whether this construction
OF his powers will bold"
Secretary Chandler states that he didn't
belieys your statement that you tried to see
him"
I'm answer 10 that would say that did
try to see Mr.. Chandler, but he was locked
up 10 his private room and / couldn't get at
him, and il was not until after the failure of
tnis efert to see him that finally handed
my resignation to the chief of the Bureau of
Navigation, the proper officer through whom
to forward it."
"What do you suppose is the motive for
this attack, Mr. Gorringe?"
swell, l don't know, unless it be that
Chandler wants TO shut the mouths Of all
naval officers 20 that he can perpstrate his
t'o "4thSOe 'Sdi Vi ca t'oSuiC SOtStcsSs
There hiss bsen but one expression that has
come 10 me from friends and strangers alike;
and that is the condemnation of Mr.. Chand.
lef's course. Chandler is known and has
been known for years about Washington as
the great commission f.nd' 1t appears to
Re generally understood in Washington that
there ia hardly job that he can get his I'm
gers into that he bias not had them in, aud
got his commission cut OF it in come way.
Everybody kaows this; it Is nothing new"
Mr.. Chandler characterized the language
which you used ia your letter of February
18th as Violent What have you to cay
about thisf'
'No language is sufficiently violent to
characteriz. the author of the alleged aug
gestion communicated TO me BY Secretary
Chandler, and dent know how il would be
possible TO use any Language violent enough
TO denounce The conduct of Mr.. Chandler In
entertaining that suggestion, notUithstand-
ing the fact that be hiss officially communi-
Gated 10 the President that there was not,
within his knowledge, or on record of the
department, any act or expression of mine
on which this suggestion could be based.
The gist of the matter is in this fact:
Chandler made grave accusation against
an officer in good standing, aud when it be-
came necessary for him TO sustain this accu-
saiiou he officisly reported that there was
nothing On which he could sutain 1t. Ii
that is not enough to condemn him, then it
is Of no use for me or any other man to say
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