Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-24
WHY JOHNsON QUARRELED WITH
GRANT.
What johnson Told Washington Cor.
respondent.

"Come, Judge, tell US what you know about
the quarrel between President johnson and
Gen. Grant"
"Why do you suppose know anything about
this quarrel?' replied Mr.. A. II. Evans to q
reporter OF THE EVENING STAR.
"You were the Washington correspondent of
the Boston Post during the Presidents term of
office and occupied confidential relations with
him. do you not remember that the New York
dailies copied your dispatches as from the
White House correspondent of the Boston
POST"
a." lou seem to be posted" replied Mr. Evans,
who continued: "Yes, 1 did enjoy in some de-
gree the confidence Of President johnson. who
ing to his quarrel with Grant. On one occasion
when this subject was ~, the President in-
quired: DO you know that Grant himself was
the dlrect cause OF my suSpending StAntOn?'
Mr.. President, you surprise me- l replied. 1T
is true continued the President. and will tell
ySa and edgS' a6r Grant cane to
ton, who was issuing all military orders di-
rectiy from the War department., and In viola
the army. advised him to see stanton and
have some friendly understanding as TO what
we're the rights Of each party in the premises.
and have some understandiug.'
After the lapse OF some weeks Grant .axain
than ever in his complaints Of the secretsrv Of
War. He stated that Stanton would pay no
attention whatever to anything he had to say
Secretary OF War, he tGranD had as well have
his headquarters in st. Louis as in washington.
and better, too, as he would be spared mucl,
modification. In this interview Grant insisted
on my issuing an order transferring his head
quarters to st. Louis.
1 said to him in reply: Go to Stanton again,
general, and try once more to harmonize your
official positions. Be frank with Stanton. and
appeal to his better nature. think you may
succeed yet in making everything pleasant
and at the same time relic We me from q very
great embarrassment In a short time Grant
stanton than ever, and insisting on chan9fn9
his headquarters to st. Louis. What could I
do? said to Grant: u would willingly relieve
under the circumstances cannot secure suit
able person to take Stanton's place unleks gene
raj you will agree to take the place temporarily,
Grant promptly replied: ~ viii take the office,
sir" This being settled, Grant was requested
to be present at the cabinet meeting the next
pledged HIMSELF in the presence Of. the whole
cabinet except Messrs. Seward and Rtanton.
that If the President would suspend Stan.
ton he (Granp would hold the War de.
deliver possession again to the President;
and that Grant acknowledged before the oabi.
net that he accepted the portfolio with
Thereupon issued my order suspending STAN
ton and appointing Gen. Grant Acting Score
tary of War. Imagine my surprise, sifi when
had voluntarily returned to his old headquar-
ters, leaving Mr.. Stanton in full possession OF
the War department. In cabinet meeting /
charged Gen. Grant with treachery. An issue
Of yeracity having been raised before the House
OF Representatives,, Gen. Grant denying that
ne ever gave such q pledge, the Presidents
statement was substantiated by the testimony
OF every member Of my cabinet From that
time on to the date OF Johnson's death he and
Grant were enemieS."