The New York herald., 1850-02-22
rne cabinet aud its Troubles.

The cabinet and ITS Troubles.
The rumors from Washington, relative to the
condition Of the cabinet are beg ming to crowd up
ON US in every direction According to all accounts,
cabinet has existed for many years, of
m4lous position and character that which pos
sesses the mansg cement of the various departments
at the capital Ii seems they quarrel day, pout
the second, and make up matters the third. The
recent rumors Of the resignation Of Mr.. Clayton,
and the probable breaking up of the rest, are not
altoget ther without foundation, although II may be
very difficult TO ascertain the exact truth, among
much contradiction and confusion IN the state
ments. AT all events, the opinion generally enter
tanned among the higher and best Informed circles
in Washington and else where, IL, that bat for the
mingled obsunacy and good feeling OF General
Taylor, The present cabinet would not have lasted
so long as II has done.
The administration Of General Tay lor, under the
management of the present cabinet, has reached a
phase Of an extraordinary character the political
history Of this country. No cabinet, IN the brief
period Of a year, under new and popular chief
magistrate, has sunk rapidly and so low as
the present men power. We learn frem every
quarter-pnvate and pubc--that there Is not the
slightest confidence or cOrdlahty between the
whig party ia both houses Of Congress, and the
CdDlLtt HilnlsttIS AT tHc OlHcr emu OF the CdptOl
in fact, the present cabinet has less numerous
parry IN Cong0ss 10 support their measures, to ad
vocate their views or defend their errors than even
the cabinet of Captain Tyler, we believe, possessed
IN his day. 1t is well known that Tyler was sup
ported by guard of seven members, called the
Tyler guard, throughout The whole Of his Presi-
dency, with occasional aid and assistance, through
sympathy, from the democratic party But the
-. 80 -. Il 10, Il
out numerous party to support them in both
houses Of Congress. AT the commencement
of the session, they counted only two ia the
Senate and one and two-thuds in the House
MIR. Tlumhn smith and w. II Seward arc the
only men in the Senate thai have yet shown any
symptoms OF supporting the cdbinet measures;
aud Mr.. Seward has even now abandoned the
work, as too uoub, or too diry tor him TO
prlform. la ,he House, we believe the cabinet
has no such support.
How is an administration to get along without
some confidence existing between the heads of
that administration ard the great parties in Goa
fressl No preceding administration was ever
placed IN such a singular predicament. General
Tay lor has many friends in both houses Of Con-
er,ss, who believe In his uusullied patriotism and
his almost entire ignorance of public affairs.
Hitherto, the good and smable President has
thrown the respons bhiy at his measures aud
deeds upon the members Of has cabinet, with the
exception of some peculiar and isolated cases, of
which he possessed some knowledge, aud on
which he manifested some wll But the Presi-
dent dtvolves all responsibility upon this cabinet,
and seems TO concern himself principally with the
reservation of the Union--a uohl. idea-and the
price Of beef aud pork IN the Washington market,
a very useful purpose. In consequence Of this
state OF things, We believe, from the intelligence
received, that several consultations have been held
among the leading members Of Congress. for the
purpose Of milling the whole whig party ia the
shape of private caucus, and consulting what Is
beet to be done IN bringing about confidence aud
cordially between the cabinet and the wing party.
They will, in oil probability, concur IN resorting TO
some plan, either 81 ousting the present cabinet or
Of bringing ths m 20 terms ol Kind or descrlp-
,iou. Some impression has already been made
upon the mnd of the President; but a general
consultation aud determination might produce
change m the mind of the patriotic man.
which, in due time, would bring about an entire
recomposition Of the cabinet, and new and bet
ter understanding between the different parties
and those that went into power with him IL is said,
however, that Mr.. Cay, and several other mem
beTs, are opposed to every movement that may be
calculated TO change the preseat cabinet. Proba-
by tie friends of Mr. Clay may prefer retain the
present cabiLet in power throughout the whole
tenn Of General Tayloi's Presidency, az means
Of preparing the way for thc next presidential con-
test, when the name OF Clay vii be the paramount
idea Of the ruling whig parry throughout the
Union.
BE all this az it may, on locking over the whole
ground, we are disposed to come up and support
the pfOongation Of The present cabinet, even in
oHositon TO the discomfort Of the whig party, or
the conis myi manifested towards them from the
whole country. during the las, n ne monihs. The
present cabinet has been vev useful body Of men
to all the newspapers. The French business with
Poussin the Spanish business in New Orleans,
the steamboat business, the removals and appoint
menis, and the Nicaragua business, which has al
most proved 10 be a rock Of separation, have been
curious, instructive, interesting, dramatic Sf-
ialrs, end oi inesumable importance 10 all letter
writers and newspaper editors in Washington and
elsewhere. II there had been a great, mighty,
popular and talented cabinet. capable of keeping
their own secrets and of managing their affairs
with talent aud skill, what would have become of
the newspapers, for want OF matter and uews. or |
the elements Of wit and eloquencel We would 4
have had TO depend entirely upon Congress. Bu,
as matters stand, il is very uncertain and very
doubtful whether the cabinet, by their s,upidiues
and drolleries at end Of the capitol do net Eur.
nish the newspapers with more Interesting and
amusing raw material than Congress, with all its
sAirsordiBsry ability, wit, and folly at the other
end
We are, therefore-thoueh from a selfish motive
in favor Of retaining the present cabinet IN
power, and are against the efforts Of the whig
party in Congress to dissolve it. We want to see
ihls cabinet rlar n.,t ~. .rhi..h thnu h.ro