Chapter XIX

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR IN THE CABINET OF PRESIDENT GRANT.

Political reverses of 1874--The contest in Michigan a
complicated one--Republican success by a narrow margin--A close
Legislature--Resistance to Mr. Chandler's re-election--His
pronounced success in his party caucus--A combination of a few
Republicans with the Democrats elects Judge Christiancy--Like
results elsewhere--Mr. Chandler's confidence--"A candidate for
that seat"--Letter to the Republican members of the Legislature--A
seeming calamity proves to be a benefit--Appointment as Secretary
of the Interior--Changes in the _personnel_ of the Department--How
Alonzo Bell became Chief Clerk--The first blow falls--An entire
room closed as a measure of "practical reform"--Purification of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs--"The most valuable men" suddenly
dismissed--Order against the "Indian attorneys"--President
Grant's support--Changes in the Bureau of Pensions and the
General Land Office--Mr. Chandler's admirable executive
qualities recognized--Anecdotes of his Cabinet service--Fighting
the patronage-seekers--A cowardly informer--A head to the
Department--An investigation that failed--"Pumping a dry
well"--Close of Mr. Chandler's term--Tributes of Secretary Schurz
to the practical efficiency of his predecessor. 337