The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-26
GENERAL GRESHAM.
He Resigns as Postmaster-G General and Quail
ifes as Secretary Of the Treasury

WAsHINGToN, Sept a Judge W. @. Gresh-
am, Postmaster general received telegram
from the President after IL o'clock last night
informing him of his appointment to the secre-
taryship of the Treasury. He Immediately
qualified and sent to the President his resigna-
tion as Postmaster general At 10 o'clock this
lsorning General Gresham went to the Treasury
with Secretary Chandler His designation from
the President was given him by o. L. Pruden,
assistant private secretary to the President; his
commission by the Third Assistant Secretary of
State, a. a. Adee The two assistant secre-
taries of the Treasury, Messrs. French and
Coon, were present. and rendered their congratu-
lations. The new Secretary will leave here this
afternoon to consult with the President Under
the law, First Assistant Postmaster general Hat
ton becomes acting Postmaster general for ten
days:
The Star says Judge Gresham has known that
he might be called upon to take the place in a
certain contingency. The contingency was the
inability to obtain q decisive answer from a
gentleman whom the President has had in view
for the Treasury portfolio. Judge Gresham ac-
cepted the position as matter of aceommoda-
ton to the President, and mis- intimate friends
say it is only temporary appointment The
duration of the appointment is commonly fixed
at about the 1st of October, when, it is believed
Judge Gresham will resign, and, perhaps, accept
the judgeship of the Illinois circuit. 1t is be-
lieved that either Mr.. McCulloch or Mr.. Boutwell,
will take the secretaryship upon Judge Gres-
hams retirement
Acting Postmaster general Hatton WILL most
likely, be placed at the head of the Postoffice
Department permanently.
The President to-day designated Assistant
Secretary Coon to act as Secretary of the Treas
ury during the absence or sickness, at any time
of Secretary Gresham. Assistant Secretary
French has always heretofore acted in this
capacity. Mr.. Coon was also authorized by the
Secretary to sign in his stead all warrants for
payment into the public Treasury and all war
rants for disbursement from the public Treasury
of money certified by proper accounting officers
of the Treasury, and similar authority on all
warrants during absence or sickness of the Sec
retary. Assistant Secretary French and all the
bureau and division officers of the department.
called on the new Secretary about noon, and
were presented by Mr.. Coon.
Mr.. Neal, Solicitor Of the Treasury has been
called to Boston by the serious illness of his
wife.
The Critic says; Strong pressure was brought
90 bear on the new Secretary to designate As
pistant Secretary Fronch to act in his absence
General Greshem, however, said he was com
PEELED to accept the designation of Mr.. Coon as
an indication that the President preferred him
to act The President was inclined to appoint
Mr.. Coon to the Secretaryship of the Treasury
and laid the question before the Cabinet, but
some of the latter thought the position should
be filed by man weknown in public affairs
1t is known that at least two members Of the
Cabinet earnestly favored the appointment Of
Mr. Coon