The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-28
WITH REGRET.
BisselI's Resignation in the
Presidents Hands.
No DISBURSEMENTS Associates Think
Him a Valuable Colleague.

WASHINGTON Feb. ss.-PostmasSer Cen
eral Wil,on S Blssell late yesterday after
noon placed his resignation as member
OF the cabinet in the hands of President
Cleveland, to be accepted upon the APP
pointment of his successor. Though the
rumors of the coming retirement or Mr.
Bissell have been rife for some time, the
official announcement last evening caused
something Of a sensation.
The facts spread rapidly through the
hotels and clubs, and the discussion OF the
chances Of congress passing all the appro-
priation bills gpye way to speculation as
to who will be the next postmaster general.
1t is conceded by all that only the per-
sonal desire OF Mr.. Bissell 10 resume his
lucrative law practice actuated him in
taking the step which he did The post
master general, in reply to queries Of a re-
porter said: II have placed my resigna-
ton In tho hands of the president. Tho
reason flASo doing Is that my professional
work at iJme demands my attention, and
feel that cannot longer remain away
from 10.
''rhe business Of tho department. is In
good condition, and its t.ansfcr To my
successor can bo made without affecting
the public service. have found my work
agreeable, though at times onerous. /
confess leave il with regret. because i
have become deeply interested I'm It and
had n desire TO accomplish something
more In the development of the postal
service than have found possible In these
two years OF effort
al deeply regret also that am thus COM
PEELED to sever official relations with the
president and his cabinet, which have
been most
Satisfactory and Cordial Thronghout.
perhaps, without impropriety / may
now say that oil rumors OF disagreement
between the president and his cabinet
have been without foundation. L doubt
II there ever was more harmonious cab
met than the present one, and its men,
bers are unit in support Of the presi-
dent on every public question"
Everywhore were heard sincere express
sions OF regret at Mr.. Bissell's retirement
At the White House the president said
at Is surely not necessary for me to say
that I shnll release Mr.. Bissell with the
utmost regret. All of his associates I'm the
administration will feel that they have
lost colleague who, In all respects, was
q valuable factor in their executive labors
IS well as o companion to whom they
have become greatly attached.
II am not taken by surprise, for i have
known for some time that it was inevita-
BILE, because Mr.. Blssell's reasons for his
action were of q personal nature, and were
inexorable. Still this first break in cabi.
net which has been, in the midst of many
perplexing situations, entirely harmoni-
ous all actuated by loyal devotion to the
public interests and pervaded In marked
degree by the personal attachments which
such connections cannot fail TO create,
causes us all real sorrow. Much gratifi-
cation awaits Mr.. Bissell in the apprecia-
tion OF his countrymen of his splendid and
valuable public service"
A Place For Wilson.
Though in the departmental and con-
grcssional circles tho air was filled with
the names of possible candidates to sue
ceed Mr. Bisscll from states ranging from
the Atlantic to the Pacific and to Florida
on the south. still the feeling was upper
most among most OF the men In official
life that the president would reward In
some way tho untiring devotion of Con.
gresham William L. Wilson OF West
Virginia to the administration through
out congress.
They said this opportunity had arrived,
and IL can be stated that unless the presi-
dent changes his mind, Mr.. Wilson's
name will go to the senate as the successor
of Mr.. Bissel, and 1t is more than prob
able that he will be honored by an inn
mediate confirmation on the part of the
senate, ms was Senator Ransom few
days since. when he was appointed minis
ter to Mexico.