The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-19


listers abroad; also that the Attorney general has
no voice in directing the movements of our navy;
put there are not many people who can tell how
far Cabinet officer may go in the details OF his
own office, and just the character of influence
ne Yields at Cabinet meetings No great step Ia
ever taken in governmental affairs either by the
President or any member of his Cabinet with
out a full conference of the chief executive and
his seven advisers. Neither does the President
although he has absolute power, assume to do
branch OF the government, without consulting
members of his Caqinet For instance, Secre-
tary Whitney would not audit the accounts OF
John Roach, the ship builder until he had
brought the vouchers and all schedules before
the PRESIDENT and the Cabinet and discussed all
the questions fully and received their advice
Secretary Endicott did not direct Phil Sheridan,
General of the army, to go out West recently
and see that the Presidents proclamation against
the occupation of Indian lands by cattle-owners
was carried out, without consulting the President
and the Cabinet although he could hare done
so. Secretary Manning would not make a bond
call without consulting the President and Cab
met. although he may do so.
The Secretary of State, now Mr.. Bayard Of
Delaware, is considered the most confidential
man to the President of all in the Cabinet He
not only has charge of all our relations with for
eign countries, commercial and social, but he
certifes to proclamations by the President and
is regarded the executives first counsel The ap-
pointment of everybody in the diplomatic and
cOHSulaf service Is maze Dy tho GreSlueDt, gem
orally upon the recommendation Of the Secretary
of State The latter officer carries on all the COR
respondence with our foreign representatives,
and is consulted about matters affecting this
country with relation to foreign countries by
representatives from abroad to the United States
His Office is what they call abroad, American
Foreign Court His duties are more delicate
than than those of any other Cabinet officer. be-
cause he arbitrates for peace or war, which re-
quires diplomacy.
10 lacc IN, fho off nfO
of State than in that of the Secretary of the
Treasury which ranks next in honor and inhu-
ence. and which is filed now by Mr. Manning,
of New York. The collection of internal reve-
nue. and the duties on inportations arc the most
salient ingredients in national politics. These are
controlled by the Secretary of the Treasury. An
unwise step in any of them defeats the party; a
judicious move gives party success. While
a rash step on the part of the Secretary of State
may involve the country in disfavor with some
foreign nation, and possibly plunge into inter-
national war; a hasty announcement on the part
of the Secretary of the Treasury shakes the poll
tics of the country. The work of one is felt III
all parts of the world while the action of the other
makes American parties and policies. Except
ing the Postmaster-general. the Secretary Of tho
Treasury controls more offices than any man
in the Cabinet. The Revenue Marine service
with its hundreds of men; the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing. with its large force of
employees; the six auditors who pass upon the
questions of all officers of the government, and
the many people under their directions: the Gus
toms and internal revenue collectors and
their hordes Of assistants; the minis
and their thousands of slaborers; the
Secret Service, which detects counterfeits;
the officers who look after the national banking
business; the Treasurer, the Register, the Comp
troller of the Currency, the Supervising Archi-
tect, and the thousands of men who report to
them, all are amenable to the Secretary of the
Treasury. There is not a possible phase of
financial transaction but that comes before the
Secretary of the Treasury some time. On ac-
count of his varied and wide influence the Secre-
tary of the Treasury is the most interesting
man, aside from the President at the Cabinet
meetings. Within years time there few
transactions in public private or political life
but that are typited by some of the questions
brought up by him. The Secretary of the Treas
ury. therefore, is selected because he is believed
TO possess pre-eminently the qualifications of a
fnancier, statesman and politician. he is
presumed to know more about what the admin
istration should do to please the American peo-
Pile than any other man in the Cabinet-just as
the Secretary Of State is thought to be most
wise in acting to please foreign countries and
promote oCr standing with them.
Next ranking in importance in the Cabinet is
the Postmaster general. He has general super-
vision over everybod and everything relating to
the mails. The Postmaster general has his
duties more clearly defined, no doubt, than any
other member of the Cabinet While there are
constantly arising questions relating to the pow
er of this and that Cabinet officer in certain di-
rectlons, 1t is never questioned what the POST
master general shall do He appoints without
consultation with the President the postmasters
OF the fourth class, who fill the Offices in small
places, and inquiries into the recommendations
of postmasters of the higher grades, and his re.
ports to the President are generally complied
with. The railway mail service is maintained
by him without reference to the President or his
counseors. The Postmaster general however
comes closely in contact with the people and
their representatives in Congress, drawing his
information directly from the masses he serves
For this reason he is popular officer
Varied are the duties of the Secretary of the
Interior He has charge of the Indians and un-
less they are on the path trades with them
and for them without reference to any other
members of the Cabinet. 1t is proposed, how
ever, that the care of the Indians shall be trans
ferred to the War Department. which seems to
have been called upon very frequently to look
after the hostlles. Everything relating to lands
comes within the jurisdiction of the Secretary Of
the Interior. The Pension Bureau and all PEN
sion business is also under his care; likewise the
Patent Office and the Census Bureau The Secre-
tary of the Interior has charge of the land grant
or subsidized railroads, which includes all the
Pacifics. The questions arising out of public
lands and Indian matters make his position
very onerous one, requiring, as in the Office OF
Secretary of the Treasury q mind of great YER
satiity and strength.
The Attorney general deals with the officers Of
United States courts, who are ntrusted with
the execution OF the laws. He or his assistants
appear in the United States courts as prosecu-
tors of persons who are charged with violating
the United States laws. When the government
is defendant the Attorney general or an assist
ant defends IT, This is not a very extensive
branch of the Cabinet, but is very necessary
one. The Attorney general is always called upon
by the President or members OF the Cabinet for
opinions in cases where the constitutional or
statutory laws are involved, so that even the
highest officers of the government or the Presi-
dent himself may act only in conformity to law.
The United States. with such vast interior
and 80 little Of coast and sea interest compare
lively has always pursued course which has
appeared strange in the minds of some states
men, In having Secretary of the Navy as well
as Secretary OF War: 1t was probably orgi-
mated more because the officer was one in the
councils of other nations than anything else.
The Secretary Of War has charca of the army