President Benjamin Harrison Will Not Override Appointment Decisions Made by His Cabinet Members
He will “confer” with them, but had no desire to “control” their discretion.
Benjamin F. Tracy was Secretary of the Navy throughout the administration of President Harrison. He reformed the Navy, making it into a move offensive force, and also removed the politics from naval appointments. In these things he had the President’s full support. Julian Hawthorne was a noted author and journalist, and the...
Benjamin F. Tracy was Secretary of the Navy throughout the administration of President Harrison. He reformed the Navy, making it into a move offensive force, and also removed the politics from naval appointments. In these things he had the President’s full support. Julian Hawthorne was a noted author and journalist, and the son of novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. He saw himself as caretaker of his father’s legacy. In 1892, Julian’s wife apparently sought an appointment for someone within the gift of Navy Secretary Tracy, and when Tracy was not forthcoming, she did not hesitate to go over his head and complain directly to the President.
Typed letter signed as President, on Executive Mansion letterhead, Washington, July 21, 1892, to Mrs. Julian Hawthorne. “I saw Secretary Tracy yesterday and he tells me you misunderstood him; that he only said he would confer with me about the appointments which the law devolves upon him; and this he did. I said to him that I had no desire to control his discretion, but talked over with him some of the cases that were pending. The matter is with him, and I think the appointments have all been determined upon, so that nothing further can be done just now.”
An interesting letter that reveals Harrison’s ability to delegate authority, and disinclination to interfere with decisions on patronage appointments made by his cabinet members.
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