New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-03
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


THE POSTMASTER-G NERALSHIP
AN OPINION FROM THE ATroRNEY-GENERAL UPON
THE PRESIDENTS LEGAL powER-GossIp cox.
| CERNING CANDIDATES.
! IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
| WASHINGTON April 2.-The opinion of tho
Attorney General that the President cannot renew
an ad interim appointment TO fill vacancy caused
by the death resignation of member Of bis Cab
met has visbly disconcerted President Arthur and
| made him postpone until Wednesday his departure
Florida The law which prohibits the President
from filing for a longer period than ten days, by
temporary appointment vacancy Ia his Cabinet
was enacted in the last year of Andrew Johnson's
Administration, when Congress and the President
were at war, and about two months after bis i'm
peachment bad failed in the Senate
A friend Of President Arthur to-day spoke of the
circumstances under which the law was passed. and
said that in his opinion it is oppressive and unjust
and that the President ought not to be compelled to
select Cabinet officer within twenty days after
vacancy happens. According to Attorney General
Brewster's opinion the First Assistant Postmaster
General may act Postmaster-G General for period
of ten days after the death of Judge Howe, at the
expiration of which time the President may appoint
him or another officer TO act during another period
OF ten days. Postmaster-Gener Cresweu resigned
his Office June "a, 1874, and nine days aiterward
President Grant appointed First Assistant POST
master-General Marshall as POstmaster-Generai.
He held the Office from July to
August "a, 1874, when Marshall Jewell was
appointed. In the meantime the office of First
Assistant Postmaster General remained vacant and
Mr.. Marshall returned to it upon the appointment
Of Mr.. Jewell as Postmaster General. Ii has
been suggested that President Arthur might tenn
porarily avoid the responsibility Of making per-
man0nt sppUiutmnt by promoting tho First Assist
ant Postmaster-GeneraI, Mr.. Hatton, with tho
understanding that the Office he now holds shouid
remain vacant for him to reocoupy soon as ths
President had found suitable man 10 take the
office of Postmaster General
FREUD Of the President said this afternoon how
ever, that be did not believe such would DO
chosen as in the end il would be likely to ernbar-
rass rather than relieve the situation. lie said
that if an ad interim appointment should be made.
it would take effect next Thursday, and tue Presi.
dent would tneu have ten Gays lo1ser in which 10
consider the matter. He thought ,ermaBens
appointment would be made before the expiration
of that period II the President should Eot have
turned 10 Washington by that time. he could make
the appointment rs well in Florida at the Capt
tai People who familiar with ex-Minis.er
Sanford's Office seeking proclivites and methods,
intimate that after the President reaches Florida
which he may not he able to resist. 1t might be
great disappointment to General Sanford If the
Pres dent should suddenly aud unex xpectedly take
the plunge which he apparently breads aud appoint
a POstmasier-GeDeral within the next torty eignt
hours. Nobody in Washington appears 10 believe
hat he will do that. but he might surprise them
again. as he did when he sent Judge howes name
to the Senate.
Senators Cameron and Sawyer. of Wisconsin, are
an yous that the Postmaster Generalshlp shall Ie-
main in the Howe laully, as well AZ With the BAD.
ger state, and accordingly IN company with several
other influential Republicans from Wisconsin,
they saw the President to-day and urged hiu 10
appoint ex-JGdge James H. Howe, Of kenosha, 10
the vacant Office Judge Howe 10 SAID to be : Sec
ond In aolity to other man in tue State OF Wis
consin. although be has never taken an aetivc or
prominent part in politics because he desired not 10
embarrass his uncie" James H., Howe is nephew
Of the late Postmaster General who died at his mousse
in kenOsa. lie is about dfty-tour years Old ana is
a lawyer, but was tor some years actively engaged
in railroad enterprises in which, 1t isqnderstood he
a.nassed comfortable fortune. In December,
s7:}, p lesideut Grant appointed him nited States
District Judge for tho Eastern District OF Wlseon-
sin, Office which he Resigned year or SO alter
ward, because OF the insufficient salary.
Another new candidate for the odice is Governor
Porter, of Indiana. who was formerly rirst Con-
.roller of tue Treasury. Governor Porter Is ex-
tremely popular in Washington. Ii Il asserted
that tho appointment OF Governor Porter would
rive universal satisfaction TO the hepnblieans OF
Indiana aud insure the party against dcea' III thas
State next year.
itile argument is used In behalf OF the appoint
nent of ex-Rcpresentative butterwOrtn, oi ONO,
) hose prospects thought b, his friends To be
yery good. Ex Congressman Dunnell appears TO 10
working ~ hard for the appointment ~ though he
iad the shadow of q chance to secure IL. III the
,lace should he offered to Minnesota man MrWin-
lom would probably be the Presidents choice. bug
I is not probable that Mr.. Window could accept 1t.
chauncey |. FlIey has not yet arrived in Washing
on.
A dispatch from Madison. Wis., says report was
current among the members of the Legislature to-
Law that the President had rendered Governor
}Ilsk the Postmaster (;eneralshlp. Governor Rusk
aid that the position had not been rendered TO him.
md had President Garfield lived Governor kask
avs he would have been Railroad Com issioner;
,u the death Of the President shur him out Presi-
lent Arthur has appreciated the tact, and has ielt
omew hat disturbed about ii, and Governor Rusk
avs that he would not be surprised TO have
,abInet position offered him; although he thinks
re sIdent Arthur would put out a feelcr TO see
ehether Rusk would accep: before rendering him
he position.
UNITED STATES MINTS.