Year: 1877

WAsHISGros, March l2.-Gen. Carl


Schurz, the new Secretary Of the Inter-


ior, assumed his duties this after


noon. After q brief conversation with


Secretary Chandler, the latter sentfor the


various heads of bureaus and principal


clerks of the department and introduced
them Individually to his successor.


Mr.. Chandler, then addressing himself
to Mr., Schurz, remarked that when he
took charge of the department he found


many abuses which needed correction.


These abuses existed especially in the
Indian and Patent Bureaus, and were OF
such a nature as to require heroic treat
ment. This be had applied, using the
knife freely and doing some sharp cut.
ting. The result was that the abuses
complained of had ceased and he took
pleasure in saying that he was indebted
IN large measure to the gentlemen who
were now around him for aiding
him iu the work of reform which he had
found necessary. He commended them
all as men in whom his successor could
safely confde. He believed he left the
Department in better condition than he
found it, and if any wrongs remained to
be righted he had no knowledge ofthem.


In conclusion he said he felt entirely
confiden. that the trust which his honored
successor ia now about to assume would
be faithfully and ably discharged.


Secretary Schurz responded to Mr..
Chandler as follows:


l think l am expressing the general
opinion Of the doun.ry when L say that
you have succeeded in placing the In
terror Department in far better condi-
ton than it has been in for years, and
that the public is indebted to you for the
very energetic and successful work you
have performed. l enter upon the srdu-
GUS duties with which / have been en-
trusted, with the earnest desire to dis.
charge them conscientiously, and shall
be happy when learning the Department
has achieved as good reputation for
practical efficiency IS you have won.


Turning to the clerks and the heads
of the bureaus, Secretary Schurz con-
tinued.


GENT EMES-I desire 10 say to you
that l intend to conduct this department
upon business principles, and you may
be assured that will bring in my Off
cial relations with you the best possible
personal feeling. hope you will serve
the county as faithfully and etectuslly
under my administration as l know
YOU have done under that of my prede-
cessor.


subsequently Gen. Schurz and Mr..
Chandler had a private conference
lasting TOR half an hour, after which
the new Secretary received a number
of visitor, who called to pay their res.
poets. Mr.. Chandler will remain in
Washington for some time to come.


Postmaster General Key


Ex-senator Key was formally inducted
as head OF the Postoftice Department
this afternoon. Postmaster General
Tyner introduced to his successor the
chiefs of sll the bureaus and divisions,
and in few brief remarks expressed his
OF their efficiency,
and his personal regret at parting
from them. He then formally turned
over the control OF the department TO
General Key, who remarked merely that
be felt some embarrassment in coming
among them as stranger, but he wished
them TO know that he had no intention
Of making any changes, and he desired
to discharge the duties OF the office as his
predecessor had done.


All the clerks and other employees OF
the department then filed in and we're
each in turn presented TO the new Post
master General, who greeted them with
a cordial shake of the hand.