The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-12
Washington Items.
Correspondence Of he Mes Fork Herald

correspondence % We NetU York Herald.
wAsHINaToS, August o. 1866
GREAT REDUCTION OF THE ARMY,
We have ascertained from official
sources that on the first day of last Nav
there were one million and fifty thou
sand men enrolled in the army and on
the pay rolls. Since that date there
nave been discharged little over seven
hundred thousand, leaving in round
numbers about three hundred and thirty
thousand still in the army and on the
pay rolls.
VI the number discharged about three
hundred thousand are now en- route and
at their several rendezvous, to be paid
OH and mustered out. The funds suffi-
cient to meet this demand are in the
hands OF the paymasters, and are being
PAID out as fast as possible. The Others
VINO nave been discharged, or over four
hundred thousand, have been fully paid
on and mustered out. The rapidity
with which this part of the work Is per-
iormea may be inferred from the fact
mat the Official figures in the depart
ments at washington show that there
nave oeen paid OF and mustered out in
the last thirty days over two hundred
and sixty thousand men. The Secretarv
OF the Treasury has promptly furnished
the funds necessary for this enormous
expenditure, and there has been no
delay on that account.
This shows that General Parsons Of
ST. Louis, in his recent speech. i'm stat
ing that about eight hundred Thousand
men had been discharged from our
armies, was not so wide Of the mark as
many supposed. These enormous figures
show an important fact in regard to the
finances of the government, and must
have a beneficial effect not only In in.
ereasing the confidence of the people in
our financial situation, but to greatly re-
lieve the Treasury Department from the
endorsements which many of our
people supposed beset it.
THE MUsTERING OUT AND PAYMENT OF
sHERIDAN's TROOPS.
The recent order from the War De-
partment will probably muster out about
half OF Sheridan's troops, and Paymas-
ter Wilson starts Tomorrow with near
ly five millions Of dollars to pay them
off.
CROWDS AT THE WHITE HOUSE,
The rush for the White House to-day
was astonishing, and without precedent
for weeks past. The East Room, halls,
stairway and lobbies above were crowd
ed by eager applicants the entire day.
The President received as many as pos
sible; but time wore away without one
half OF them gaining admittance.
Among the impatient hangers on Hen
ry c. Burnett, of Kentucky, was con-
spicuous from his sour and woe begone
appearance. Gen. Jackson, of Florida,
has been at the door regularly for two
weeks. Such perseverance deserves re-
ward.
| RUMORs OF CABINET CHANGES.
| Rumors of contemplated Cabinet
changes are circulating again. How
much foundation they have in fact no
one seems able to say. John Covode
and John w. Forney are mentioned as
possible successors to Secretary Harlan,
of the Interior Department, and Mr.. Sc
ward is once more said to be about to re-
tire. Probabilities are decidedly against
immediate changes.
sQUABBLE FOR OFFICE.
A certain collectorship in one of the
interior districts of Pennsylvania is
| causing q lively contention among the
different aspirants. Hon. Mr.. Stonaker
is among the applicants, and had a
lengthy Interview with the Secretary of
the Treasury concerning the appoint
ment. The matter is held under advise
ment.
ADMIRAL PORTER AND GEN. BUTLER.
The sensational dispatches sent from
here last week announcing the reconcile
iation between Admiral Porter and Gen,
Butler were generally believed to be UNI
true at the time, and are known to be
so now. They met but once during
Buffers stay in Washington, and cut
each other direct. Butler was in O room
of the Navy Department signing some
papers, when Porter also entered, with
out at first observing the presence of
the former. Butler raised his head to
learn who had entered the room, when
each encountered the others gaze
Neither blanched, hesitated nor offered
the slightest recognition. Butler I'm
ished his business and passed out, leav-
ing Porter to transact his. This was
the reconciliation