The New York herald., 1868-12-26
MISCELLANEOUS WASHINGTON NEWS.

n AsHINGToN, Dec. IS, 1858.
Attorney General in the New Cabinet.
Almost every leading public Journal throughout the
country has had a slate Cabfne.' composed and ex-
mblted In Its columns as the undon" n"Ieu real thng,
every position being filed except that ~ Attorney
General which has been left entirely blank LII most
or all instances. This has not been because CT its
being at the foot OF Cabinet appointments and the
most Insignificant OF them; but from being i'll entire
uncertainty as 10 whom the position would be likely
TO be bestowed upon. General Butler has been
hunted at, but he would doubtless, prefer remain
ing in the House. Butler would not be himself at all
unless he had an extensive field and wide latitude
in which TO move and work in Limited, circum
scribed and systematzed, his fire. force and effective
ness would all be lost His forte is not adviser,
sage or counsellor any routine of duties where
Tie dry dignIhss w0.,d have to predominant. 1t is
altogether in different spnec that General Butler
would be OF service. as on the stump; .he rostrum,
at the bar in the House, where the widest becty
OF language and roaring eoouence with entire free
dom OF movement might be exhibited with more
propriety than any Cabinet position could permit.
There Is every probability TO suppose that the posi-
ton OF Attorney General Will be offered to the Hon.
James f. Wilson, OF Iowa, and for several years
past chairman OF the House Judiciary Committee.
For several reasons he will likely be called into the
Cabinet. Having powerful friend at court in
Speaker Colfax, with whom he has had long int-
mate personal friendship, and who desires his pre-
sence and, douptessly Mr.. Wilson Is also the
choice Of the people Of Tho vast country west OF the
Mississippi river, who claim justly representation in
the Cabinet.
The Proposed Indian Department..
The bill for creating separate Department of In
dian Affairs Will meet with strong opposition. There
is powerful sentiment in favor Of the measure but
there Is an equally powerful ring opposed to It,
From all the indications that present themselves
this subject will also go with the finances to the
first session OF the Forty-drst Congress,
Quarantine In st. Thomas and Porto Rico.
The United States Consul at ST. Juan, Porto Rico,
reports that on account Of the notice given by the
newspapers Of Dominica that suspicious cases OF
cholera had occurred at Guadeloupe the govern
ments Of St. Thomas and Porto Rico have prohibited
the admission into those islands of vessels coming
nom Guadeloupe, and have ordered that vessels
from the windward Islands, with the exception OF
the Virgin Isles, shall be subject 70 quarantine.
improvements in the Channel at Aitola,
HOlstein.
The United States consul at Altona, in Holstein,
writes to Secretary McCulloch that by recent i'm
provements at that port there is u regular draught
OF water, winter and summer, to accommodate the
largest mercantile ships. The Tamerane, OF Phila-
o,
twenty feet of water This Is great Improvement
for those engaged in the North German trade, as
hitherto all ships to Hamburg encountered lighter
age, while they may now come to the port Of Altoona
without breaking cargo. The Hamburg and Ameri-
can steam packet ships never take Hamburg in sum-
mer but 20 to Glueckstadt. The consul states that
at all seasons Of the year, except when the river is
frozen, ships OF the largest size may come to
Altoona.
Rcsurvey of New York Distileries.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has directed
the resurvey OF the distilleres IN the city Of New
York. for the purpose OF ascertaining more accu-
ratey their producing capacity, and with the view
also Of making proper allowance for the effect OF
dry measurement, as well as for the period during
which the fermentng tubs are required by law TO re-
main In employ after each mash.
The Chiidren's Party mt the White House.
Invitations are out for party to be given by the
children or the Presidents household on Tuesday
evening next, at six O'Clock.
Navy Bulletin.
Commander r. Abbot IS ordered to the command
OF the Yantic, vice Lieutenant Commander Boyd, de-
tached.
Paymaster J. L. Davis is ordered to duty at the
Boston Navy Yard.
Lieutenant Commander II. +. Pickering has been
detached from the Swatara and placed on waiting
orders.
Surgeon Samuel Jackson has been detached from
duty fleet surgeon OF the South Pacific Squadron
and placed on waiting orders
Paymaster J. G.. Harris has been detached from
the Boston Navy Yard and placed on waiting or
ders.
Lieutenant Commander NJ. S. stuyvesant has
signed.
Acting Ensigns A. r. Ulmer and John Lowre have
been honorably discharged.
The Supreme Court.
In the Supreme Court Of the United States yester-
day, on motion Of $. Phillips, Robert Johnson OF
Arkansas was admitted to practice as an attorney
ana counsellor OF this court.
No. 1.-THE United States ex. rel. p. 8. Benbow,
plaintiff in error, vs.. The Mayor and Aldermen Of
Iowa City. This cause was aubmitted to the court
on printed arguments by MIR. Grant, Of counsel for
the plaintiff In error.
No. l9-Amos and John f. Kendall appellants, va.
The United states. This cause was argued by Mr..
Mcpherson and Mr.. Carlile, OF counsel for the ap-
pelants, and by Assistant Attorney General Dickey
for the appeees.
The court adjourned until Monday, January 4.
EUROPEAN MARKETS.
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