The
reconstruction of the rebellious States, the payment of the
public debt, keeping the national faith under great temptation,
reconciliation and the processes of legislation and administration
under the restraints which belonged to peace, were well under
way. In all these Chandler bore a large part, and a part
wise, honest, powerful and on the righteous side. I knew
him afterward in the Department of the Interior. He was,
in my judgment, the ablest administrative officer without
an exception who has been in any executive department during
my public life. His sturdy honesty, his sound, rapid, almost
instinctive judgment, his tact, his business sense, his love
of justice were felt in every fibre and branch of the great
Interior Department, then including eight great bureaus each
almost important enough to be a Department by itself.
The humblest clerk who complained of injustice was sure to
be listened to by the head of that great Department, who,
with his quick sympathy and sound judgment, would make it
certain that right would be done.
Chandler has little respect for the refinements of speech
or for literary polish.
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