The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-15
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. IA. 1888.

me question as 70 what Is the probable OASIS OF
settlement agreed upon between Minister Reverdy
johnson and the British government in regard to the
Alabama claims, and the action OF England In recog
nzing the rebels as begerents during the nrst years
OF the war, is OF the most important topics OF
discussion here. From all that can be gathered on
this subject the Official circles OF this city, 1t is
doubtless true that the Secretary OF State possesses
tolerably clear understanding OF the present status
OF the question. 1t is certainly fact that Mr..
Seward Is thoroughly informed OF all the instruc-
tons given to Minister Johnson before departing on
his mission, suce 1t was none other than the Sec
rotary who delivered those instructions, whatever
has been said in recent reports to newspapers
to convey an opposite impression 20 the
contrary Notwithstanding Mr. Seward has no
misgivings whatever in regard to the manner in
which Minister Johnson Is conducting the questions
at issue, and he to have faith that whatever
the terms OF settlement agreed upon may be they are
not beyond the limits of Mr. Johnson's instructions.
With this knowledge even though 1t has been deemed
prudent to conduct the negotiations as little pos
sible by telegraph. Mr. Seward doubtless feels salts
fled that all that has been done has been well done.
The statement that the Secretary OF State has now
under consideration the terms agreed upon is prema-
ture. The Secretary cannot decide upon those terms
until the written dispatches from Minister Johnson
are received which will not be for at least week
yet. The impression seems 10 prevail, however, es-
pecialy among diplomats, who are usually well very
informed on pending questions OF national charac-
ter, that basis of settlement between the United
States and the British government has been adopted
which affords a fair prospect OF removing every
cause OF dissatisfaction
What the President Tanks of the Courtney
Case.
There are no new Developments In the whiskey
fraud war to-day. Mr. Courtney left here for New
York tonight, and with him the rear guard Of the
formidable force that advanced upon Washington
when he arrived. II is now definitely understood
that the President decided not to suspend the Dis
trict Attorney on the evidence adduced. have it
from high authority that the decision of the Presi-
dent at the conclusion OF the arguments made by
Secretary McCulloch and Attorney General Eyarts
in behalf OF Mr.. Courtney was, substance fol-
lows:-"Wcll gentlemen, the charges that have
been preferred against District Attorney Courtney
have not all been substantiated Mr. Courtney has,
I think, satisfactorily explained away some oil the
most serious OF them; yet enough remains unan-
swered to render q thorough exoneration mad
visable. do not deem II necessary TO issue
an order suspending Mr. Courtney from his
office at the present time but Will withhold my
decision in the case until future OCCASION" The
friends of Mr. Courtney claim that the mere fact that
the President has suspended his decision in the mat
ter is sufficient proof that the whole prosecution has
been dropped, and they say with confidence that Mr.
Courtney will experience no further trouble from
charges OF fraud. on the other hand is asserted by
the opposition that for some unaccountablc reason
Judge Fullerton did not include among the charges
he had flied several Of the very strongest cases but
that he has at last determined to submit these
charges and has returned to New York for the pur-
pose OF preparing them.
A Sensational RuinOr by a Democratic Organ.
The Constitutional Union, democratic organ
here published by Tom Florence, member OF the
Democratic National Resident Committee, contains
a short editorial tonight, concluding as follows:-
The radical attacks already made upon General
Grant are but the Grant ootor.ers OF quick coming
propositions from the high priests OF radicasm to
give Mr.. Colfax and not General Grant, the repub-
lican electoral votes for President II will not be to
us the most astonishing thing in the world II the
democratic electoral votes should be required yet 10
make General Grant President. At all events, let
our lamps be trimmed and burning.
For four or i've days there have been hints OF a
programme, said to be favored by active leading
radicals, having FOR its object the cheating of Grant
out OF the Presidency by casting the republican
electoral vote for Schuyler Colfax. or course
there IL not grain OF probability that
any such thing will happen. The story
Ia undoubtedly one OF those wild inventions for
which the Washington atmosphere Ia famous. and
would not be worthy even OF this much notice were
1t not for the fact that IL has found its way into
print through the columns OF Florcnce's organ.
Radicals OF the Phillips stamp would doubtless hail
the project with delight, but all decent republicans
about here scout at the idea as absurd ana ridi-
culous.
Visit from Canadian OHicial.
Mr.. worthngton, Commissioner OF Internal Revc-
nue. OF the Canadian Dominion, has been passing
few days in this city with special view TO inform
ing himself or the workings of our internal revenue
system. Mr.. Worthington had interviews with the
President, Secretary McOulloch, Commissioned Roll
Inns and other officials. by whom he courteousy
received Secretary McCulloch gave special drec-
tons to have every facility afforded 10 the dis,in-
guished visitor Last evening, ty special appoint
ment he called upon Mr.. Rollins at the Internal
Revenue Once and was supplied with all the infor-
nation he sought. This gentleman has had an OH
cal experience of more than twenty years, and II
our officials have been ~ DESTROYS TO avail themselves
of his knowledge he seems 10 obtain the visit
OF Mr.. worthington will doubtless prove mutually
advantageous. II would be interesting 10 know the
impressions made upon the enlightened Canadian
official by his researches here. Mr. worlhington
left the city this evening.
The President.
President Johnson astonished q large number Of
our citizens to-day by starting out from the White
House about noon and walking down Pennsylvania
avenue. He returned at half-past ono and received
all those who were waiting for an Interview at one
and the same time.
Experiments i'm Artillery mt Fortress Monroe.
The experimental firing ut Fort Monroe neccs-
STATED b, late improvements in ordnance OF heavy
callbre viii begin about the Goth instant. The Pres-
dent elect, few Senators and Representatives,
prominent officers OF The army and navy, among
whom are Generals Hancock aud Thomas and Adj
mlras Farragut and Porter are, II Is said, invited
and will probably witness the firing These expert.
ments are under the direction OF General Hum
phreys, the Chief Engineer Of the army.
Supervisor FOR New York Appointed.
Secretary McCulloch this afternoon confirmed the
nomination OF John r. smythc, Of New York, as
Supervisor OF Internal Revenue for the District OF
Northern New York. Mr.. smythe was nominated by
Commissioner Rollins two or three days ago.
Weekly Currency Report.