The New York herald., 1868-12-05
A High Tariff Cabinet Ring.

1Ht WHt-puii0TS duu ring Hlcu dI w dSulIlR-
ton, although bafled in their most ingenious
plans for lassoing and leading General Grant,
have not relaxed in their efforts to secure the
control Of affairs under the next administration
They early took time by the forelock So long
ago as in May last the HERALD noticed the
secret circular which was issued by the sec
retary of the high tariff league to the men,
bers of the executive council. In that circular
the secretary urged the necessity of raising
more money, and gave summary of what the
league had already accomplished, particularly
in influencing the making up Of the committees
Of Congress. The hocus-pocus which had been
at work was soon manifest in the selection of
the chairmen Of several of these committees.
Thus q new member from one of the Pennsyl-
vania districts, but national bank president
and superintendent of large iron mill, and
also vice president Of the high tariff league,
was made chairman of the Committee on Man
ufactures. Another reliable Treasury and
high tariff ring man was made chairman of the
Committee on Accounts-the most important
committee of the House except that on Ways
and Means, inasmuch as the Committee on
Accounts has power to get all sorts of cleo
tioneering expenses through in the shape of le-
gitimate House expenses.
All these ring men and their friends worked
like beavers previous to the Chicago Conven-
tion to make Colfax President, if possible, or
at least Vice President. One of them was
heard to declare that she was in favor Of
Colfax and Grant, in the order named"-Colfax
for President and General Grant for Vice Pres
ident-but he supposed sthat the Convention
would give General Grant the FIRST position"
The secretary of the Iron and Steel Associa-
ton said he was in favor of Colfax for Presi-
dent One leader Of the combination, who
was candidate for Secretary Of the Treasury
in case Mr.. Wade should be made President,
openly expressed in public speech his want
OF confidence in the nominee of the Chicago
Convention.
Ii is said that this high tariff ring, not con-
tent with selecting their own candidate for Vice
President and with making up the committees,
actually attempted to control Congressional
nominations. Thus men were asked to work
against . prominent republican candidate for
Congress IN Indiana on the ground that he
was "a free trader" and ''not sound on the
finance question and to work for another
republican who was in favor Of "the highest
kind of a tariff and immediate return to specie
payments" and what was "far better, q good
friend Of Mr. Colfax' The anti-high tariff
anti Treasury ring and anti Colfax republican
got, however, the nomination, and will take
his seat In Congress next March.
Now, this high tariff ring fears General
Grant They know that he is honest and firm.
They know that the only show their schemes
will have during his administration will be by
intrigue. They hope to prevent repeal of
the Tenure Of Oaice law, and to get a man
popularly supposed to be honest, but really
under their control, made the next Secretary
OF the Treasury. If they can do this they
may possibly make few millions after the
4th of March. They both hate and fear
the HERALD. They know that the HERALD
was the frst TO bring General Grant forward
az President and for President-not TO play
second eddie to Mr.. Colfsx Under the Tenure
of Office law, but to be the First Magistrate
of the nation. They also hate and fsa. all the
honest men whom they suspect Of having any
influence with Genera. Grant. II remains to
be seen whether the high tariff and Treasury
ring, even with Mr.. Colfax as their tower Of
strength, can successfully carry out their
schemes. Meanwhile IL will be the duty Of
the press and Of the public to watch closely
the ''wheels within wheels" Of this and every
other Washington ring.