The herald., 1895-02-28
GENERAL B|SSELL RESIGNS
The Postmaster in Chief Tired
of the Work
STORIES OF DISAGREEMENT
The Retiring Official Denies That There
Was Any Trouble
Expressions Of Regret at His Withdrawal
Heard Everywhere-Wha
Cleveland Says

Washington, Feb. 27.-Postmaster Cen
eral Bissell late this afternoon placed his
resignation as member of the Cabinet
in the hands of President Cleveland, to
be accepted upon the appointment of his
successor Though rumors OF the coming
retirement of Mr.. Bssell have been rife
for some time. the official announcement,
when it was made this evening, caused
something of a sensation.
The statements which have been made
that a disagreement between the Presi-
dent and Mr. Bissel caused the resigna-
tion was known by almost all in official
circles to be without the slightest founda-
ton, and therefore the interest and
gossip which usually attaches to the re-
tirement of member of the Cabinet was
entirely lacking in this case, as it was
conceded by all that only the personal de-
sire of Mr.. Bissell to resume his lucrative
law practice actuated him in taking the
step which he did.
An Associated Press reporter called upon
him and in reply to questions MIR. Bissell
said:
II have placed my resignation in the
hands Of the President. The reasons for
so doing are that my professional work at
home demands my attention and feel
that | cannot longer remain away from 1t.
"The business of the department is in
good condition, and it's transfer to my
successor can be made without affecting
the public service.
81 have found my work agreeable, al
though at times quite onerous. l confess
| leave it with regret, because | have be-
come deeply interested in it and had a de-
sire to accomplish something more in the
development OF the postal service than
have found possible in those two years OF
effort.
81 deeply regret also that | am thus
compelled to sever official relations with
the President and the Cabinet, which
have been most satisfactory and cordial
throughout.
Perhaps without impropriety I may now
say that all rumors OF disagreement be
tween the President and'any of his Cabinet
have been without foundation. | doubt
if there ever was more harmonious Cab
met than the present one and its members
are a unit in support of the President on
every public question: Everywhere are
heard expressions of regret at Mr.. Bissell' s
retirement.
The President said: sit is surely not
necessary for me to say that | shall re-
lease Mr.. Bssell with the utmost regret.
All his associates in the administration
will feel they have lost a colleague who in
all respects was Il valuable factor in their
executive labors, as well as a companion to
x,,l,n Of
tached. / am not taken by surprise, for
| have known for some time that it was
inevitable because Mr.. Bissells reasons
for his resignation were of a personal
nature and were inexorable. Still this first
break in the Cabinet, which has been in the
midst of many perplexing situations en-
tirely harmonious, all being actuated by
loyal devotion to the public in this. and
pervaded in marked degree by the at
tachments which such connections cannot
fail to create, causes us all real sorrow.
Much qualification awaits Mr.. Bisseil in
the appreciation of his countrymen OF his
splendid and valuable public services" "
Though in the department and Con-
gressional circles the air is filed with
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 men in official life that the pres-
dent would reward in some way the untir-
ing devotion of Congressman Wilson, of
West Virginia, to the administration
throughout this Congress. Tonight they
said this opportunity had arrived, and it
can be stated that unless the President
changes his mind, Mr.. Wilson's name will
go to the Senate tomorrow as the sue
cessor of Mr.. Bissell, and it is more than
probable that he will be honored by an
immediate confirmation on the part of
the Senate, as was Senator Ransom few
days ago when he was appointed Minis
ter to Mexico.
1t is quite certain Mr.. Bissell win not
relinquish his portfolio until April. He
will then return to Buffalo.
uIcCnIrDI CI CrTION CnlIrnc