The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-11

ling the treasury department in times of
great peril and emergency. and he also
realized those weaknesses of temperament
which limited Mr.. Chase's ability some
what in the opinion of those who knew him
best. Most men would have made Chase
an enemy by sending him uncefemonlously
from the cabinet; Lincoln waited In pa
thence until the death of Chief Justice Ia
ney made it possible to transfer Mr.. Chase
from the cabinet to a post which Is re-
garded as second only to the presidency.
President Johnson retained for a time
| most of the members of Lincoln's cabinet,
but his quarrel with Secretary Stanton pre-
cipitated the a~ntagonlsm which was de-
| veloped between himself and congress even
to the point of his impeachment by the
house of representatives.
Curiosity and excitement we're raised to
the highest pitch in the interval between
Gen. Grants election and inauguration on
| account of the secrecy which he maintained
regarding his cabinet purposes. Grant had
been known as a silent man when engaged
| upon the field, and he now howed that
in civil life he could malntain that rep
utation. The papers were filled with
specnlations and guesses. and yet as the
| time for inauguration drew near it was ap-
parent that Grant WAS keeping his
| %counsels we'll. and it WAS expected that
| he might even send nominations to the
senate without having first learned whether
the men thus appointed would accept.
That he made a mistake by such secrecy
was evident as soon as the cabinet was an
nounced. The nomination of A, Il. Stew
| art, the merchant prince of New York, for
secretary of she treasury was made. and the
senate was obliged to send word to President
Grant that MIR. Stewart could not be con-
irmed. No one had any personal objection
to him, bus he was ineligible under the
statutes, being engaged in the Importing
business. 1t was proposed, ana it has been
said that Mr.. Stewart himself made the
suggestion. that he retire from business,
making his great establishment over to
some one else. But the senators declared
| that that would be regarded as an unworthy
evasion of the law. Grant was obliged to
withdraw Mr.. Stewards name. Within two
weeks he WAS also compelled to reoast his
cabinet. He had nominated Elihu ID.
| Washburn secretary of state, but 1t is IN
derstood that MIR, Washburn took the office
knowing that he could retain it but II short
time. Mr.. Washburn was sent as minister
to France. and Hamilton Fish, of New
York, became secretary of state, in which
office he served throughout Gen, Grants
two administrations being the only mem
her of the cabinet who remained with him
through the eight years.
Grant WAS the first to break tho preoe-
dent by selecting two members of his cab
met from the same state. Gov. Boutwell,,
of Massachusetts. was his secretary of the
treasury. while Il. lockwood Hoar, of the
same state, was his Encouragement MIR.
Hoar's experience illustrates the principle
adopted by the senate; although MIR. Hoar
! WAS unanimously confirmed as attorney
, general. he WAS rejected whom nominated
for chief justice. The unwritten law of the
senate Is that all cabinet nominations are
to be confirmed unless tho nominee, as i'll
tho case of MIR. stewart, is Ineligible, the
idea being that the president has the right
to select without objection his advisers.
Gen. Grant had two unfortunate expert
ences, perhaps three. One was with Gov.
Jewell, his postmaster general. What the
trouble was has neve- been enthusiastically
explained, but Gen, Grant demanded SUD
denly Jewell's resignation. Gen. Ielknap,
his secretary of war. was implicated by u
congress committee i'll the sue of II / ost
leadership. and he offered his resignation
before Gen. Grant could demand it. Years
later 1t was understood that in that case.
while Mr.. Belkuap WAS legally responsible.
! yet he had been an unwilling victim of Il