The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-13

ing Man Who was Ready 10 Garry
Out His Purpose of Removing the
Public Money From the United States
Bank--Appointmen and Dismissal
of william j. Duane as Secretary of
the Treasury--Tribute of Mr.. Benton.
Written for Sunday News and Observer.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. II.
At the close of my last letter briefly
referred to the difficulty encountered
by Pres dent Jackson in finding a man
who was ready to carry out his purpose
of removing the public money from the
custody of the Bank of the United States.
1t had to be done by Secretary of the
Treasury. The charter of the bank
designated that officer, and he alone, as
the person having authority to make
the removal The 10th section stipulates
that the public money of the United
States should be deposited in the bank
of the United States and its branches,
"unless the Secretary of the Treasury
shall at any time otherwise order and
direct; in which case the Secretary shall
Immediately lay before Congress, if in
session, and if not, Immediately after
the commencement of the next session
the reasons of such order or direction"
The President couldt make Sec
rotary of the Treasury, with the advice
and consent of the Senate, but he could
not, in person, in this instance do the
work of secretary, nor could he impose
the duty upon any other officer of the
government. Mr. McLane, of Delaware,
was appointed in 1881, to the office of
Secretary of the Treasury. This was be-
fore the removal of the deposits was de-
termined on, and when, two years later,
General Jackson had made up his mind
to have the removal made, he found his
Secretary of the Treasury unwilling to
execute the decree. MI. McLane was
man of great worth and influence, and
the President, with all b. reputed rash
ness, did not ma axe enemies unnecessarily.
He therefore offered him the Premier
ship pas the Office of Secretary OF State is
generally esteemed. In this position he
succeeded Edward Livingston, who was
sent as Minister to France. This ar
rangement left vacancy in the treasury
which was offered TO distinguished
Philadelphia lawyer, William j. Duane.
General Jackson had great esteem for
this gentleman, who was the son of his
old friend William Duane, the editor of
the Philadelphia Aurora, the famous
Jeffersonian Republican paper, of the
early days of the Republic. General
Jackson thought he had found the right
man this time, but he was mistaken
Philadelphia was not the place to go for
a Secretary ready to remove the de-
posits of the public money from the
United States Bank, which was located
in Philadelphia.
The entire cabinet, except one man,
was opposed to this fayorite measure of
the President. General Cass, the Score
tary of War, was opposed to it-as much
so, at least, as he could be opposed to
any favorite measure of Gen. Jackson.
He talked of resigning. Maj. VIM. B.
Lewis, Jackson's bosom friend, who mar
ried Mrs. Jackson niece, begged General
Cass to pause, and be did pause This was
before the transfer of Mr.. McLane to the
State. Department and Gen. Cass pro
posed to consult with Mr. MeLane on the
subject of their resignation. 1t was
agreed between them that they would
resign but the transfer of Mr.. McLane
to the State Department relieved his
m nd on that subject. Gen. Cass sought
a conversation with Col. Lewis, the
ayowed purpose of which was to inform
him, as friend, who stood near the
President, of his intended resignation.
Col Lewis, in reasoning with Gen. Cass,
ABSURD him that his difference in opinion
with the President on that question
would make 10 difference with him. 1
Lewis urged him TO see the President, 1
and unbosom TO him his difficulties. He
did so, and returned to Lewis, within
AN hour. with smiling face the
President was never in better humor,
and would not consent to part
with McLane and himself-in which
case the old hero showed himself to be
more tolerant OF a diversity of views in
his cabinet than he did upon occasion
of cabinet ministers wives refusing to
return the visits of Mrs Eaton. General
Cass, as Secretary of War, had no neces
sary duty to perform in the matter Of
removing the deposits, and his seruples
were easily overcome by the bland and
amiable department of the President.
Mr.. McLane, as Secretary of the Treas
ury, stood in the way of the Presidents
determined purpose, and his scruples
were removed, as above stated, by his
transfer to another department.
Mr.. Lewis, the bosom friend Of the
President, was opposed to removal, but
deprecated the resignation of those two
distinguished cabinet; officers, as the
effect, he feared, would be to defeat the
measure in Congress and overthrow the
ADMINISTRATION ia the country. He states
that with whom the idea of Withdraw
ing the public money from the United
States Bank originated, know no,
but it was started soon after Presl
dent Jackson's second election, and was
warmly discussed by afew of his friends
in Washington, from that time until the
order was given by him for their re
moval Mr.. Benton, who was in Vir