The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
Making Cabinets
for Presidents


atorS.
There was much parleying between the
White House and the Senators before an
open rupture occurred and the resigna-
tons of Conkling and Plat were sent to
New York. Conkling took little part in
the negotiations. but Piatt believed he
could induce Garfield to recede from the
Robertson decision. He still believes that
Garfield had at one time made up his
mind to yield, and that the situation was
spoiled by Whitelaw Reid. who sent a
me ssaee which is famous in political his
tory as 1.-THE midnight dispatch" Reid
insisted that Garfield should not give way
to the Senators. P.att came from the
White House one day with partial prom
Use that Robertson's name should be with
drawn. The next day he received from
Garfield an ultimatum that Robertson s
nomination was to stand. When he tried
to learn the cause of the change in the
Presidents attitude Garfield reftlred i'm
patiently to publication in that morn
ing's New York Tribune about the hego-
tiations. Plat went back to Conkling and
said:
II don't know what you will do, but
know what am going to do. i am going
TO resign"
A few days later the designations of
Platt and Conklinr reached the Governor
of New York. And now, like a sequel to
that feud of sixteen years ago, Mr.. Piatt
serves notice on the new administration
that Whitelaw Reid must not be calico to
the Cabinet. A President-elect has need
OF long memory in making up his list of
advisers.
1t is courtesy for the Senate to confirm
promptly the nominations for members Of
the Cabinet. That courtesy has been not
often. but occasionally, honored in the
breach. The theory is that these are the
Presidents personal appointments, and
that his judgment as to qualifications is
entitled to more weight than in nomina-
items for other offices. Presidents have
had nominations confirmed for the Cabi-
net, and when later they have nominated
the same persons for other positions the
nominations have been rejected. This ha 8
happened notably two or three times
when Presidents sought TO transfer men,
bers of their Cabinets to places on the Su-
preme bench.
President Grant saved one OF his Cabi-
net nominations from rejection by with
drawing it. Without excessive respect
for legal abilities General Grant proposed
to make his a business Cabinet. He Sc
lected Alexander L. Stewart, the mer-
chant prince of New York, for his Secre-
tary of the Treasury. The Senate recalled
the law which had been in operation from
almost the beginning of this Government
making ineligible for that office any one
interested in the importing business.
Presidents do not like to yield when their
minds are set upon anything. Grant tried
to have the law repealed. Failing in that
he sent George w. Childs to Mr.. Stewart
to ask him to qualify by putting his bust
ness in other hands. The merchant
thought he could not do that and the
President was obliged to withdraw the
nomination.
Andrew Jackson had Cabinet nominal
ton rejected. He appointed Roger B.
fancy of Maryland to be Secretary of the
Treasury in 1888. The President, after
election for his second term, proceeded to
carry out his determination to smash the
United States Bank. Mclean was at the
head of the Treasury. He didn't agree
with Jackson's financial policy, and was
promptly transferred to the State De-
partment. Duane. the next Secretary of
the Treasury, refused to carry out the
Presidents orders to remove the deposits.
and then declined to resign. Jackson re-
moved him, and appointed fancy, who
i'm mediately caused the deposits to be
transferred to State banks. When Con-
gress convened fancy was nominated for
Secretary, and was rejected. Two years
later a vacancy occurred through the
death of Chief Justice Marshall, and
fancy was no minated and confirmed. He
held the position OF Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court nearly thirty years. Cabi-
net members have been rejected for the
bench. but this case of Taney's presents
the only instance in which q man re iected
for the Cabinet was confirmed to place
on the Supreme bench.
What would be thought if Mr.. McKin-
ley should send some one selected for his
Cabinet to take possession OF Secretary
Olney's office at midnight of the Sd OF
March because of distrust of the outgoing
administration? Yet that is what was
done far back in the early days of the Re.
public, when politics was supposed to be
purer than it is now. Thomas Jefferson
sent his choice for Attorney General to
assume control of the State Department at
midnight before Inauguration day, to pre-
vent the issue of commissions to any ap-
pointees of the retiring President. AT
that time mid night of the Sd of March was
considered the end of the administration,
instead of midday of the 4th, as is the
present Interpretation.
1t was a matter of considerable COM
ment at the BEGINNING of Grants first
term that he had ignored the politicians
and filled his Cabinet with business men
| or with men from private life. Gradually
the first Grant Cabinet dissolved, and as
| the Secretaries went out their places were
taken by men of more political experience.
1t is an interesting fact that four-fifths OF
the men who have filled Cabinet places
have been lawyers.
And it is also worthy of note that about
the same proportion has never been
heard of in public life after leaving the