New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-28
MR.. BISSELL STEPS OUT.
FIRST BREAK IN THE PRESIDENTS
CABINET.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL RETIREs TO DEVOTE
HIMSELF To HIS PROFESSIONAL WORK
CHAIRMAN WILSON SAID TO De


Washington Feb. 27.-Posmastar-General Bis
sell set at rest ali doubts as to his purpose Of
naming in the Cabinet by rendering his resigna-
tion to President Cleveland this afternoon. This
action was not taken hastily AS far back as.
the early fall Mr.. Blsse felt that his law prac-
tice at Buffalo required his personal attention.
and at that time he informed the President that
sooner or later he would be compelled to retire
to private life Nothing further passed between
the two with reference to the matter until ten
days ago when Mr. Bisse again assured the
President that he must resign his portfolio.
In n statement made by Mr.. Bisse this evening
he says that he has found the work of his office
agreeable Notwithstanding ts onerousness He
says that he leaves the Department with regret
and adds that his official relations with the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet Ministers have been most
cordial. He denies emphaticaly the reports of
disagreements between the President and MEM
bers of his Cabinet and asserts that no Ministry
could in it's official and personal relations be more
harmonious.
The Postmaster Generals resignation was not
known to his private secretary until late hour
this evening nor will it be known in all PROBABLE
ity to any of his subordinates at the Department
until it's publication in the morning newspapers
The letter of resignation is said 10 have been
brief and to have been couched in the usual for
NAL terms 1t recites thc fact that he deems
it advisable 10 retire from the Cabinet ana tnat
he will do so upon the appointment ana quaiiiica-
ton of his successor. The letter was written Dy
the Postmaster-G General at the close OF once
hours to-day and was by him personally handed
to the President after D o'clock To a re-
porter who called at his home this evening. Mr
Rssell frankly stated that he had resigned lie
said
have placed my resignation in the hands OF
the President. The reason is that my rro.tsslona
work az hOm demands my attention. ana deei
that cannot longer remain away IRON IT. ,i,inn ne
business Of the Department is in good oCnd'ton'
and its transfer to my successor can be made with.
work agreeable although at tines quite cherous'
| confess cave II with regret because nave be
come deeply Interested in IT, and had desire to
accomplish something more in the deyelopmeennt M nI
the postal service than have found possible IN
that | am thus compelled to sever official relat tons
with the President and his Cabinet which have
Perhaps may now say that all rumors Of dis
agreement between the President and any OF his
there ever was a harmonious Cabinet than
ng OF the s rs on ey pube STe queon %
There Is no reason 10 doubt that Mr. Bsselrs
successor Will be Congressman William l.. Will
son. of West Virginia the author of the Tarin
law and chairman Of the House Ways and NJ ans
Committee Il Is also understood that Mr.. Will
aon's name will be sent To the Senate tomorrow
But for the fact that the President intended MAX
ing Mr. Wilson a member of his official family. a
tender II the Mexican Mission would. II is said
have been made TO him. The President has been
sincerely desirous OF appointing Mr.. Wilson TO
some office of a dignity and Importance commen-
surate with his abilities and his loyalty 10 the
principles Of the Democratic party. When the
President learned. ten days ago, that Mr.. Bissell
purposed soon to retire from the Cabinet he de-
cided then he should be succeeded by Mr.. Wilson.
This. AT least Is the story given out by Mr. Will
sons friends tonight. ana there are substantial
reasons for believing that 1t is well founded;
Speaking of Mr. Bssell's resignation. President
Cleveland tonight said:
1t surely is not necessary for me TO say that
shall release Mr. Bisseli with the utmost regret
All his associates In the Administration VIII ieel
that they have lost a colleague who In all respects
was a valuable factor IN their executive labor as
well as a companion to whom they nave become
greatly attached. ] am not taken by surprise LOT
I have known for some time that il was inevitable
because Mr. BissellS for his acton were
OF a personal nature and were neAorable. stil
this first break Ia Cabinet which has been IN the
midst OF many pcrpexing situations entirely mar
monous. always actuated by a loyal deN9tlon 70
In, public interest and pervaded In marked degree
by the personal attachment which such connec,
lions cannot fail 10 create. causes us all real
sorrow. Much qualification awaits Mr.; Bisseu IN
th. appr, ciation OF his countrymen OF his splendid
nud valuable public service