n from
official interference, and in a few days after he became President
his celebrated civil-service circular was issued by Daniel Webster,
as Secretary of State. It was addressed to the heads of the
Executive Departments, and it commenced thus:

"SIR:--The President is of the opinion that it is a great abuse to
bring the patronage of the General Government into conflict with
the freedom of elections; and that this abuse ought to be corrected
wherever it may have been permitted to exist, and to be prevented
for the future."

It would have been fortunate for the country if these views of
President Harrison, so clearly stated by Daniel Webster in this
circular, could have been honestly carried out; but the horde of
hungry politicians that had congregated at Washington, with racoon-
tails in their hats and packages of recommendations in their pockets,
clamored for the wholesale action of the political guillotine, that
they might fill the vacancies thereby created. Whigs and Federalists,
National Republicans and strict constructionists, bank and anti-
bank men had coalesced under the motto of "Union of the Whigs for
the Whigs for the sake of the Union," but they had really united
"for the sake of office." The Administration found itself forced
to make removals that places might be found for this hungry horde,
and to disregard its high position on civil service. Virginia was
especially clamorous for places, and Vice-President Tyler became
the champion of hundreds who belonged to the first families, but
who were impecunious.

Direct conflict soon arose between the President and his Cabinet,
he asserting his right to make appointments and removals, while
they took the ground that it was simply his duty to take such action
as they chose to dictate. The Cabinet were sustained by the opinion
of Attorney-General John C. Crittenden, and they also under his
advice claimed the right to review the President's nominations
before they were sent to the Senate. To the President, who had as
Governor and as General been in the habit of exercising autocratic
command, these attempts to hamper his action were very annoying,
and at times he "kicked over the traces."

One day, after a rather stormy Cabinet meeting, Mr. Webster asked
the President to appoint one of his political supporters, General
James Wilson, of New Hampshire, Governor of the Territory of Iowa.
President Harrison replied that it would give him pleasure to do
so