The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-19
LErrER-wR1r1NG pER1Ls.

The Story of Postmaster-G General Marshall
Jewcll's Resignation RetoId.
Washington Special to st. Louis Globe Democrat
An article is going the rounds of the newspa-
pers pretending to give the circumstances of the
retirement of the late Marshall Jewell from the
Cabinet of President Grant, and attrbuting the
motive of jealousy to the General. While it is
doubtless true that General Grant saw, as others
Aid, that Jewell was playing fast and loose with
avery candidate for the presidency, and was Civ
Ing Bristow as much encouragementas he dare,
the latter remained in the Cabinet much longer
than the former did.
Jewell committed harakiri. 1t was his dispo
sition to please everybody that got him into
trouble. He was all things to all men; one of
the current slang phrases, too unanimous"
was used originally by Mr. Jewell to describe
Sam Bard, Georgia politician, but
he could just as we'll, or better. have applied it
TO himself. The immediate cause of his dismiss
al from the Cabinet was two letters he wrote to
Hannibal Hamln and Samuel j. Randall, in
tended to be confidential 1t was just at the
time when the fast mail service was begun, and
the two houses of Congress were at deadlock
over the amount of money 10 be appropriated.
Mr.. Hamliu, who was chairman of the Senate
committee, at the conference presented letter
from Mr.. Jewell urging him to stand firm in sup
Dort of the sum the Senate had appropriated, as
the department could not get along With cent
less
Much to the astonishment of every one pres
snt Mr. Randall pulled out another letter, also
marked confidential" in which Mr.. Jewell as
sured him that the amount upon which the
House was insisting was ample, and the demands
Of the Senate were extravagant.
AS soon as he recovered from his amazement
Mr.. Hamlin started for the White House and
- -
The same afternoon Mr.. Jewell called upon the
President regarding some official matter. entire
~ unwarned, and was as genial as a summers
day When ne had finished his business he
arose to CO. end. turning to the President
asked if he could do anything for him. The old
hero, as composed as ever, raised his eyes and
Replied:
Eyes, you may write your resignation. You
VIII find paper and pens at the other end OF the
liable
MAY I ask. Mr. President, the reason of this
UNEXPECTED demandr
Certainly responded the General ut may
be found in these two letters" and he handed
tire amazed minister the two documents Mr..
Eamlin had left.
Mr.. Jewell did not offer word of explanation.
but wrote his resignation at once, and left the
White House, never to enter It again while
Grant was President.
happened to be on my way mp the stairs as
Mr. Jewell was coming down, and wondered
vhy he did not greet me in his usual hearty
manner. His rudy face was pale and wore a
distressed expression.
''You are not we'll to day" remarked
About as usual,' he responded, and passed
on.
After I had finished my business with the
President, I asked the usual formal question: "ls
there any news to-dayl'
Yes" he replied, 1.-The PostmasteRgeneral
has resigned
For what reasong
He will explain" said the President and
then. with twinkle in his eye, he added: "Mr
Jewell has some private business that requires
ais attention