ee Arthur, and have requested him to come here. You
can say to him that, with the kindest feelings, and, as he will
understand when he sees me, with a proper appreciation of his
conduct during the examination by the commission, there should be
no feeling about this in New York. At all events, what has been
done is beyond recall.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. R. C. McCormick."

Mr. McCormick complied with my request, and orally reported his
interview on his return to Washington. We were given to understand
that these officers did not wish to be removed pending the
investigation, as it would seem that they were charged with the
acknowledged defects and irregularities which they themselves had
pointed out. The President was quite willing to base his request
for their resignation, not upon the ground that they were guilty
of the offenses charged, but that new officers could probably deal
with the reorganization of the customhouse with more freedom and
success than the incumbents. I also saw General Arthur, and
explained to him the view taken by the President and his desire
not in any way to reflect upon the collector and his associates,
Cornell and Sharpe. I believed that at the close of the investigation
by the commission these gentlemen would resign, and that their
character and merits would be recognized possibly by appointments
to other offices.

Acting on this idea, on the 15th of October, I wrote the following
letter to Arthur:

"Washington, D. C., October 15, 1877.
"Dear Sir:--I regret to hear from Mr. Evarts that you decline the
consulship at Paris which I supposed would be very agreeable to you.

"As the time has arrived when your successor must be appointed, I
submit to you whether, though your resignation might be inferred
from your letters on file, it would not be better for you to tender
it formally before your successor is appointed.

"The President desires to make this change in a way most agreeable
to you, and it would be most convenient to have it announced to-
morrow.

"An early answer is requested.

"Very truly, etc.,
"John Sherman.
"General C. A. Arthur, Collector Customs, New York."

It soon became manifest that these gentlemen had no purpose to
resign, and that Senator Conkling intended to make a political
contest against the policy of civil service reform inaugurated by
President Hayes. On the 24th of October, 1877, the President sent
to the Senate the nomi