ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 69 wise ordered." This brought on a crisis. The president claimed that under the constitution he could direct the district commanders to issue such orders as he dictated, and was met by an act of congress, passed in July, making the orders of the district commanders "subject to the disapproval of the general of the army." Thus Grant was given chief control of affairs relating to the reconstruc tion of the southern states. The president still re tained the power of removal, and on the adjourn ment of congress he removed Sheridan and placed Gen. Hancock in command of the fifth military district. Some of Hancock s orders were revoked by Grant, which caused not a little bitterness of feeling between these officers, and provoked oppo sition from the Democratic party. Subsequently, when a bill was before congress to muster Gen. Hancock out of the service for his acts in Louisi ana, Grant opposed it, and it was defeated. Soon afterward he recommended Hancock for a major- generalship in the regular army, to which he was appointed. The "tenure-of-office" act forbade the president from removing a cabinet officer without the consent of the senate; but President Johnson suspended Sec. Stanton, and appointed Grant secretary of war ad interim on August 12, 1867. Grant pro tested against this action, but retained the office until January 14, 1868, when the senate refused to
