The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-17
THE coLLEcToRsHIP.
The Candidates for tho Position and
Who Arc Backing Thens
EXCITEMENT AMONG THE POLITICIANS.
COMPLICATIONS OF THE STRUGGLE.
Scenes and Incidents at the
AstOr House,

the LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
DC. &c. DC.
The vacancy in tho CoIecorshp Of this port caused
BY the sudden death Of Preston King has opened new
Geld OF excitement for the republican politicians Of this
city and State They ere busy mortas we'll can be
In pressing the claims Of their avorte candidates for tho
position Tho corridor end saloons ct the Astor House
yesterday filled with politicians Of different grades
from all parts Of the State intent upon one ponnot tho
determination find Preston Kings body, but to settle
upon his successor in ONCE. Every politician VINO
imagined that his feet would lll number nine shoes
announced himself an applicant for the position,
and forthwith rushed to see all his friends to
secure their assistance in trying on the vacant
Custom House shoes Intense excitement prevailed
all day, and every particle Of information bear
ing upon the subject was discussed pro and con,
and bearing upon the fate of the different candidates
eagerly canvassed Everything that has transpred yet
is as q matter of course speculative Half dozen diff
ferent men given out as the successor, and
were making preparations for assuming the duties Of the
Office But there was one very important omission in
the case Of each-a technical 0misson-which must
postpone few hours at least the period when they will
take the oath Of Office That omission is simply the
small item that neither the President Secretary Nc
Culoch has signed their papers 1t is true that Governor
Tenton Lieutenant Governor Alvord, Thurlow Weed,
Raymond and numerous other parties have signed docu
ments for their favorite candidates. but somehow the
public do not believe that they the appointing power,
and Acting Collector Cnch does not appear willing
permit any person 10 enter upon the duties of the Office
until he the Presidents signature to the document
This slight OMISSION therefore, stands in the way Of
number of disnterested patriots
A long list OF names Is presented for the office Who
shall be Collector is just attracting far more aen
ton than who shall be Mayor or what shall be done with
the South Even the freedmen have to step side in
order that the radicals may look after the appointment OF
an officer in this city Numerous letters have been writ
ten and petitions signed and sent to Washington.
Both the President and Secretary of the Treasury must
have been flooded with letters this subject which
would require an clerk to read them Nothing
known up last evening the probable action Of the
President in the premises while on the other hand
rumor was extensively circulated that Weed and Ray
mond had made special arrangement with the powers
that be at Washington to postpone action for several
days. But this did not in the least abate the ardor OF
tho candidates their friends On the contrary, they
we're all the moro jealous and sanguine Of success
II was understood that Weed, Raymond & Co. were
using their influences to secure the appointment of h H.
Van Dyck present Assistant Treasurer in this CITY, as
Collector The cause Of this very apparent They have
for the years made every effort in their
power place r. NJ Blatchford in charge of the Sab
Treasury in this city, but have been foiled In all their
efforts This for Van Dyck for Collector H. however,
another dodge to accomplish this end and they there
fore making bold and determined push for him. If Van
Dyck appointed Collector the Office Of Assistant Urea
10 II
tain person 70 all that once, the weedites hope
to slip Batchford into IL without opposition. This s
the whole meaning Of the Van Dyck movement. II is
said that what is being done without the sanction OF
Mr. Van Dyck, and exclusively the work Of Weed and
friends they being afraid of defeat If they press Mr.
for the Collectorshp but hope to work him
into good office in this roundabout way Thctricks Of
politicians are sometimes very curious There
is some doubt Of Weed and associates succeeding
in playing the ostrich card with Van Dyck, and
they are already trotting out their candidate for
second choice il they anticipated failure In the
former movement This person is Robert Derniston,
predecessor Of Lucus Robinson In the Office OF Comp
troer OF the State He occupied that position at Albany
at the commencement of the war, and was member Of
tho military board during the time Of the purchase OF
the shoddy uniforms FOR the soldiers. His connecton
with that board considered detrimental to him
that although candidate for denomination, the repub
leans did not dare to 60 before the people WIN NM On
Lucius Robinson He has over since been candidate
for Office and Weed proposes TO place him In the
position OF collector, provided he cannot secure Van
DICKS appointment and in this movement the Tines IS
Moses Odell the present Navy Agent is also extern
svey spoken or He was prominent candidate for the
Cocctorship prior TO the appointment of Preston King
1t urged n his behalf that he is thoroughly posted in
regard the duties and machinery OF the Office having
been for long time Deputy Collector under democratic
honest, eicient and capable. What
he now has g, a.
ington, Is Also spoken Of II will be remembered that
he urged for Assistant Treasurer after the resgna
ton Of Mr. Stewart bat that Secretary McCulloch then
declared that his services coud not be dispensed with at
Washington He Is q worthy and upright man, and
that the same objection which was raised by the secre
tary OF the Treasury reference to his appointments to
the position now held by Van Dyck st exists.
the parties who usually back him looking towards
others IL is 70 DO presumed that he has but slim
The only military man whose name has been mentioned
is General Daniel T. Sckcs who has just boon ordered
South q special mission From all accounts ne - one
OF The most formidable candidates on the list being
conceded that no has the necessary qualifications. a
good executive ofcsr and web posted on the ms and
applicant il also understood that at The time Of the
appointment Of Preston King be was the next strongest
candidate on tho lst II IS said that no Is backed oy
Secretary Stanton and other Cabinet oess at washing
ton Who for time past, have manifested deermi
nation TO reward him for his services In the army, and
expressed 0eeife 70 sec MIN appointed 70 some
lucrative ofce Having lost leg in the service OF his
country, such position Collector would be not
only appropriate but every way suited 70 his present
condition. He ID the ground n Washington, and
tho other applicants arc becoming very nervous about
him.
There Is no telling but that whlle they are getting
their letters and petitions ready 70 present 70 the Pres
dent Sokies msy quietly walk on With the prize In his
pocket and some bright morning walk into the Custom
House with his papers already signed and sealed There
installing the fact that he Stands wen Al Washine
ton, not only with largo portion Of the Cabinet o.s
the President and while he strong there his appoint.
ment would no doubt b received well here with AL
excepting ths candidates for Collector.
The name Of Isaac Sherman, of this city ma e,so'
been mentioned will be remembered that ne was inc
confidential adviser Of Fremont in the Presidential cam
peign Of 1866 and was for several years VI o
Republican Central Committee u this Statc snu ma
personal friend 81 Senator Morgan. Those cognzant
with this fact look for the influence sensAoi
he would not permit his name 70 be used wne,ner . a