Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-01-09
Lamar,s RESIGNATION.

Secretary Lamar on Saturday rendered to
the President his resignation as Secretary of
the Interior, and it was accepted by the
President The formal resignation, it is
understood, will not go into effect until
noon OF Tuesday next, in order to enable
the Secretary to close up como routine bust
ress. The following is copy of the secre
retary's letter with the Presidents reply.
ITO the President.-Sir: When, scme
months ago, you invited me to accept the
vacant judgeship 10 the Supreme Court, you
expressed the wish that as the court was
not in session, should postpone the res.
ignation Of my present Office until the meet
ing Of Congress allowed you TO send my
nomination to the Senate. as t-1re were
certain matters before the department, in
augurated by me, which it was. therefore.
desirable that should close before leaving,
and as I would have been very reluctant to
take the place upon the bench until your
nomination had been confirmed by the
Sena;e cherfully consented to your re-
quest. MY nomination has now been SUB
mitted to the Senate, and, recognizing both
their right and duty to subject its fitness to
the most critical examination, would still
wait in my present position their decision.
But I think I am warranted in supposing
that the final decision may be delayed for
some time. As you have at the same time
n ominated both my successor in this de-
partment and his successor in the Postoffce
Depart nent, this delay may 10 some extent,
at least embarass the administration of the
public business in the departments affected.
To avoid such mbrasement, which ismy duty
to you and TO the country, and to leave be-
fore the Senate in its fcal Judgment upon
my nomination the sole question of my lit
ness for the position, ASSOCIATED from any
other nomination and unaffected by
any other considerations, now respect
fully ask you to accept my resignation as
Secretary of the Interior, which | hereby
tender. In terminating my relations to you
as member of your official family desire
to express my grateful sense of the obligation
l am under to you personally for the consid-
Grafton and kindness which have always
characterized your treatment of me, and for
the generous confidence and support which
you have steadily given me in the trying and
arduous administration of this department
l shall always bs proud 10 have been asso-
GATED with the honorable record you will
leave upon the page ofyour country history.
Sincerely and respectfully.
L. @. G. LAMAR, Secretary"
My Dear Mr.. Lamar: When determin-
ed to nominate you to position upon the
bench of the Supreme Court, the personal
qualification afforded by the tender to you
of so honorable and suitable place, and the
satisfactory conviction that an important
executive duty would thus be well perform
ed. led me almost to forget that my action
involved the loss of your conscientious and
valuable aid and advice in cabinet counsel,
which for nearly three years have so much
enjoyed and appreciated. Your note of to-
day forces me 10 contemplate this
contingency with the most profound
and sincere regret. But since l know
that the separation you now insist
upon arises from that conception OF public
duty which has always so intirely guided
your conduct in our official relations, am
constrained to accept the resignation you
tender, hoping that it only anticipates your
entrance upon the discharge of higher and
more congenial functions than those now
relinquished.
what have thus far written seems very
formal, indeed. intended this because
am sure that the close confidence and the
relations of positive affection which have
grown up between us need no expression or
interpretation. Anu you Huu IL utle'iy I'LL
possible for me to finish this note without
assuring you that the things which have
characterized your conduct and bearing in
the position from which you now retire-all
your devotion your country and your chief,
sill your self sacrificing care and solicitude for
public interests, ali the benefits which your
official service have conferred upon your
fellowcountrymen, and all the affection and
kindness go often exhibited toward me per
soDally-I sball constantly remember with
tenderness and gratitude. Yours very sim
cerely.
"GRovER CLEVELAND