ruining your Administration. It would forfeit its moral character with the people and, as to its favorite policies, be at the mercy of the worst influences in Congress.
I enclose some cuts from newspapers. The one from the Times was evidently written by a friend who strongly emphasizes his confidence in you. But there is an undertone of apprehension in what he says. The Washington correspondence of the Evening Post shows how far the mischievous effect of this matter has already developed itself. It is certainly to be deplored that Mr. Voorhees is at the head of the Finance Committee of the Senate. He would not have become so important a person in it, had Mr. Carlisle remained there. You remember perhaps what I said to you about dismantling the Administration in that body. It was just this I foresaw.
I do not presume to advise. But if you will pardon me for saying what I would do were I in your place, it is this: I would send a trusty friend to Indiana to make a searching inquiry into Mr. Burke's antecedents and standing. If it were satisfactorily shown that Mr. Burke is an improper person for the district attorneyship, I would unhesitatingly remove him. This action would at once kill all the rumors and surmises as to “placating” or “bargaining.” It would be notice to Senators and Representatives that in recommending men for office they cannot deceive the President with impunity. It would strengthen the President immensely with public opinion and consequently with Congress. It would, indeed, offend Senator Voorhees, but at the same time cripple him. For if thence forward he sought to embarrass the President, all the world would know the reason why. As things now stand he cannot support your policy so far as it differs from his former position without incurring the imputation of having sold himself. Even if he does not recoil from this, he will certainly ask for his support much more than you
