William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson
Title
William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941
Identifier
WWP25520
Date
1918 November 14
Description
Secretary of the Treasury resigns.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
United States. Department of the Treasury
United States. Department of the Treasury. Office of the Secretary--Resignation from office
Contributor
Mark Edwin Peterson
Relation
WWP25519
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
Dear Mr. President:
Now that an armistice has been signed and peace is assured, I feel at liberty to apprise you of my desire to return, as soon as possible, to private life.
I have been conscious, for some time, of necessity for this step, but of course I could not consider it while the country was at war.
For almost six years, I have worked incessantly under the pressure of great responsibilities. Their exactions have drawn heavily on my strength. The inadequate compensation allowed by law to Cabinet Officers (as you know I receive no compensation as Director General of Railroads) and the very burdensome cost of living in Washington have so depleted my personal resources that I am obliged to reckon with the facts of the situation.
I do not wish to convey the impression that there is any actual impairment of my health because such is not the fact. As a result of long overwork I need a reasonable period of genuine rest to replenish my energy. But more than this, I must, for the sake of my family, get back to private life to retrieve my personal fortunes.
I cannot secure the required rest nor the opportunity to look after my long neglected private affairs unless I am relieved of my present responsibilities.
I am anxious to have my retirement effected with the least possible inconvenience to yourself and to the public service but it would, I think, be wise to accept now my resignation as Secretary of the Treasury, to become effective upon the appointment and qualification of my successor so that he may have the opportunity and advantage of participating promptly in the formulation of the policies that should govern the future work of the Treasury. I would suggest that my resignation as Director General of Railroads become effective January 1, 1919, or upon the appointment of my successor.
I hope you will understand, my dear Mr. President that I would permit nothing but the most imperious demands to force my withdrawal from public life. Always I shall cherish as the greatest honor of my career the opportunity you have so generously given me to serve the country under your leadership in these epochal times.
Affectionately yours,
WG Mcadoo
The President,
The White House.
Now that an armistice has been signed and peace is assured, I feel at liberty to apprise you of my desire to return, as soon as possible, to private life.
I have been conscious, for some time, of necessity for this step, but of course I could not consider it while the country was at war.
For almost six years, I have worked incessantly under the pressure of great responsibilities. Their exactions have drawn heavily on my strength. The inadequate compensation allowed by law to Cabinet Officers (as you know I receive no compensation as Director General of Railroads) and the very burdensome cost of living in Washington have so depleted my personal resources that I am obliged to reckon with the facts of the situation.
I do not wish to convey the impression that there is any actual impairment of my health because such is not the fact. As a result of long overwork I need a reasonable period of genuine rest to replenish my energy. But more than this, I must, for the sake of my family, get back to private life to retrieve my personal fortunes.
I cannot secure the required rest nor the opportunity to look after my long neglected private affairs unless I am relieved of my present responsibilities.
I am anxious to have my retirement effected with the least possible inconvenience to yourself and to the public service but it would, I think, be wise to accept now my resignation as Secretary of the Treasury, to become effective upon the appointment and qualification of my successor so that he may have the opportunity and advantage of participating promptly in the formulation of the policies that should govern the future work of the Treasury. I would suggest that my resignation as Director General of Railroads become effective January 1, 1919, or upon the appointment of my successor.
I hope you will understand, my dear Mr. President that I would permit nothing but the most imperious demands to force my withdrawal from public life. Always I shall cherish as the greatest honor of my career the opportunity you have so generously given me to serve the country under your leadership in these epochal times.
Affectionately yours,
WG Mcadoo
The President,
The White House.
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941, “William G. McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 November 14, WWP25520, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.