New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-24
PRICE THREE CENTS.
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
THE FIGHT IN THE CABINET.
A FULL AND PRECISE ACCOUNT OF WHAT ACTUALLY
OCCURRED.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-An air of truth is
given the story about the trouble in the Cabinet by
the statement that it "inyolves two members" II 10
had been said that the disagreement involved only
one member, some people would not have believed It,
One OF the two emphacaly complains OF unwarranted
interference with the affairs of his department by tho
head Of another department The President having
sumed the entire responsibility for the cause Of he al
legged 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 sl will be known
except by the President and his advisers. They are
naturally dsinclned talk about the matter for publ
cation but In private conversation OF them are less
retlcent. From information obtained by TRIBUNE
respondent it appears that the disagreement" involved
more than members Of the Cabinet For some time,
said the Secretary OF State has felt jealous OF the In
huence and activity Of the Secretary OF the Navy well
as resentfu on account of his unwarranted nterfer
ence" in matters which belong to the State Depart
ment 1t Is said too, that in Hike manner the
Secretary OF the Navy has inspired the Same
feelings the bosOms Of the Secretary OF War and the
Secretary fthe Treasury These eaousies and resent
unfortunately eliminated the same day, and re-
suited in an explosion which the word disagreement
inadequatey describes
Mr.. FRELINGHUYsEN's PROTEST.
When the Cabinet had assembled Mr.. Frelinghuysen,
whO II is well known, Is Of rather excitabe tempera
ment, said the time had when he must sOlemnly
protest against any future interference with matters
concerning his Department by tho Secretary Of ths
Navy. When the State aud the Navy Depart
ments were brought side by side under
the same roof, he had felt mlsgvings
Of the restless disposition OF Mr.. Chandler
and wise precaution he had cOntriyed high and
strong iron gates, surmOuned with sharp pickets and
directed them placed in all the paseageways be-
the departments He had ordered these gates
be securely locked every night, in order to give Mr.
Chandler understand that he not 10 respass
the dignity functions OF the diplomatic department Of
the Government His precautions and warnings had
been of no avail. Not only had officer Of the Navy
negotiated treaty with COrea but when the Corean En-
bassy unfurled its flag In Washington recently
in his own absence two Naval officers had, by
direction OF the head of their department, been temporal
ry attached to suite of the Embassy Moreover
other officer Of the Navy had Just published under the
official auspices of that department. descriptive sketch
OF COrea and the Coreans.
JUDGE FoLGERs NDIGNAUoN
When Mr.. Frelnghuysen concluded with the remark
that he would submit to further interference by the
head another department. there subdued applause
from several members of the Cabinet and the President
showed signs anxiety. The secretary OF the Treasury
rose and said that while he was not fam
nlar with the merits OF the controversy about
Corcan matters he was mpelled TO remark
that for some time had felt that there "nwsr-
raned interference" with matters that properly be-
on0eJ 10 his Department As the head 81 the most i'm
portant branch the public service here there were
Signs dissent from every other Cabinet ocei) ne must
SAY that he regarded the conduct OF the Navy, since Mr.
Chandler took charge highly reIrrEensibe Charged
as am" continued Judge FOlgor, with the duty of coll
IectBg money the support OF oil the departments
have seen with uneigned regret the accounts or the
damage inflicted upon the vessels OF our merchant marine
by our war ships, which have them down on the bgh
seas II commerce Il TO be destroyed ny our Own
cruisers what Is To become Of the customs revenue
Alter pause, during which the President SHIFTED un-
easily s chaI Judge FOlcer 1t Il said remarked that
had always seemed TO hinan anomaly that the reports
Of consus-who are, after AL more egitmately Treasury
officers they officers Of the State Department
in regard and manufactures, should be sent
TO and published by the state Department He th0ugnt
tho head Department should cOnue his efforts TO
their legitimate spheFep pOmacy-and leave the Treas
| ury 10 manage its affairs without Interference
The President seemed more uneasy aud perpeXed than
ever and turned 10 the POSmasterGenera ana Attorney
| General, with whom he held whispered conference
which was interrupted by the Secretary or war Mr. LIN
coin said that he had hitherto been silent respecting what he
regarded as nterferences by the Secretary OF
the Interior and the Secretary Of the Navy In matters
which belonged solely TO the military arm OF the Govern
| ment
THE DISCUSSION BECOMES GENERAL
At this point Mr. Chandler and Mr. Teller both struck
into the discussion the instant and IL waxed so
warm that the President compelled TO interfere and
abruptly adjourn the meeting, which he did with the re-
mark that assumed the entire responsibility and II any
gentleman ddut like il he could resign his Office The
foregoing is fl account OF what took place-and s In
everv p,ricnllr quite as accurate any other statement
10 the effect that there has been disagreement IN the
I r1hf