The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-28
MIR. Cleveland Is Sorry ana Says He
VIII Greatly Miss His Former
Partner and Adviser.
PLACE FOR HON. w. L. WILSON
WEST VIRGINIA,S STATESMAN LIKE
LY TO FILL THE VACANCY.
Gresham Works Up Another Inter-
national Squabblc by Endeavor-
ing to Aid Smith Weed.

WASHINGTON, Feb. q. = Postmaster
general Wilson s. Bissell late this after
noon placed his resignation as a member
of the Cabinet in the hands of President
Cleveland, to be accepted on the appoint
ment of his successor. Though rumors of the
coming retirement of Mr.. Bissell have been
rife for time, the official announce
ment, when it was made this evening,
caused something of sensation.
The statements which have been made
that disagreement between the President
and Mr. Bissell caused the resignation were
known in official circles to be without the
slightest foundation and therefore the
interest and gossip which usually at
taches to the retirement of a Cab
met officer were entirely lacking in
this case, as it was conceded by all that
only the personal desire of Mr.. Bissell to
resume his lucrative law practice actuated
him in taking the step which he did.
A reporter called on Mr.. Bssell and in
reply to queries he said: II have placed
my resignation in the hands of the Presi-
dent The reason for doing SO is that my
professional work at home demands my at
tention, and feel that cannot longer re-
main away from it. The business of the
department is in good condition and its
transfer to my successor can be made with
out affecting the public service. 1 have
found my work agreeable, although at
times quite onerous 1 confess / leave it
with regret, because l have become deep
ly interested in it and had desire to ac-
compiish something more in development of
the postal service than / have found pos
sible in these two years of effort.
II deeply regret also that 1 thus
compelled to sever official relations with
the President and the Cabinet, which have
tel
out. Perhaps, without improperly, l may
now say that 4ll rurnors of disagreement
between the President and any of his Cab
int have been without foundation. / doubt
if there ever was a more harmonious Cab
met than the present one and it's members
are a unit in support Of the President
every public question"
THE PRESIDENTS TRIBUTE.
Everywhere were heard sincere express
sions of regret at Mr.. Bsselrs retirement
At the White House. the President said:
''It surely is not necessary for me to say
that 1 shall release Mr.. Bssell without
utmost regret All of his associates in the
administra tion will feel that they have
lost colleague who, in all respects,
a valuable factor in their executive labors,
as well companion to whom they have
become greatly attached. I am not taken
by surprise, for l have known for some
time that it was inevitable because Mr..
Bisselrs reasons for his action were of
personal nature and were inexorable. Still
this first break in "a Cabinet, which has
been in the midst of many perplexing sit
uations, entirely harmonious, all actuated
by loyal devotion to the public interests
and pervaded in marked degree by the
personal attachment which such connec-
tions cannot fail to create, causes us all
real sorrow. Much qualification awaits Mr..
Bissell in the appreciation of his country
men of his splendid and valuable public
service.
Though in the department and congress
sional circles the air was filled with the
names of possible candidates to succeed
Mr. Bissell, from States ranging from the
Atlantic to the Pacific and to Florida on
the south, still the feeling was uppermost
among most of the men in official life
that the President would reward in some
way the untiring devotion of Congress-
man Wilson. of West Virginia. to the
administration throughout this Congress.
Tonight they said this opportunitey had
arrived and it can be stated that unless
the President changes his mind Mr.. Will
sons name will go to the Senate to-mor-
row as a successor to Mr.. BisseH and it
is more than probable that he will be
honored by immediate confirmation
the part of the Senate, as was Sem
ator Ransom a few days since. when he
was appointed minister to Mexico.
Perhaps no member of Mr.. Cleveland's
Cabinet has been more trusted friend
and adviser of the President than has Mr..
Bissell. The President learned his true
worth as a man of thorough business ca
pacty and administrative ability when they
were associated members of the same
law firm in Buffalo. The fast friendship
which was then formed remained while
Mr.. Cleveland successfully stepped from the
office of Mayor of Buffalo to the White
House and, when he became President
for the second time, it was his personal
desire that Mr.. Bissell accept a place in
his Cabinet 1t is quite certain Mr.. Bissell
will not relinquish his portfolio until April
He will then return to Buffalo.