New-York tribune., 1868-12-28
WASHINGTON.
rE NEXT PRESIDENTS poLICY.


WASHINGTON. Dec. 27, 1868.
Tic question of wholesale displacement of john
son's officials who hold commissions by and with the
sdcc and consent of the Republican Senate. on the
4ih Of March next, by the incoming administration,
has been tho subject of deep consideration by the
friends Of Gen. Grant for long time past. The sub
ec having lately been alluded to in conversations
with the Presidontelect, he emphatically declared
hs opposition, in so many words to tho old Jackson
doctrine that to the vctors belong the spoils. In
otLer words, he is opposed to turning men
out of office merely for opinions sake.
The purpose Of his administration will be
the faithful performance of the duties of his great
oflice; ; to see that the laws carried out that
honesty and economy prevail in the public service,
and that all the Offices filed by capable and eff
cicnt men, This is understood TO mean that If an
officer in the public service has shown peculiar hit
ness for his position and evidence OF his ability to
perform its functions in the highest degree OF excel
lence and with honesty Of purpose, no matter what
his political opinions may be, it would be I'M
proper to displace that officer with one who
could at least perform the duties no bette WhIelt
Is probable that Gen. Grant viii seek in the Repue-
can party men to fill the various Offices II IS certain
that he viii look more closely TO the fitness of the
candidate than to his political services to any party;
and that the claims of no man on the latter ground
merely win be considered Gen. Grant has also said
in conversation recently that he is in favor of the
general features of Mr. Jenckess Civil Service bill.
Both the President and Secretary of War have
received dispatches from prominent citizens residing
in the immediate neighbOrhood of the recent ont
RACES in Arkansas asking the interpostion of the
Federal authorities in their behalf But the Govern
ment will do nothing until the return of Gen. BaO-
cock who was dispatched there by direction OF Gen
Grant to inquire into all the facts.
1t is expected that the President will send his veto
of the Southern States Militia bill 10 the House i'm
medately after the reassemblng of Congress ON the
9th of January. 1t is sand that the veto will take
the ground that as the people have the right 10 bear
arms Congress has authority on the subject.
The complications connected with the st. Thomas
purchase are attracting much attention in our own
official circles and at several of the legations 1t has
been known that Mr.. Seward was the first to apply
to the Danish Government to sell the Island. Den
mark refused not seeming anxious to part with the
property and intimatng that the transfer could no.
well be made with proper regard for her own dig
nifty. After Russia had agreed to sell Alaska, this
opinion changed. Mr. Seward made Rppliea-
tion and Denmark agreed TO sell ii the people of St.
Thomas desired. and the treaty concluded with
out waiting for ratification. MI Seward urged that
Denmark should order an immediate vote on the
question This done. and the people
agreed. Now, although the Senate did not
act it ls understood that Denmark holds that
in treating with this Government she could only
know its Executive head and the whole sale has
been concluded her part exactly as requested by
the State Department, that Government Is IN honor
bound TO take ST. Thomas After formal vote Of
~ loo ct Hagr axp
back The subject viii come up in Congress at an
early day. 1t is understood that Mr. Sumner desires
tie House TO pass upon the question Of how far the
national faith has been pledged BY Mr. Stewards
action.
The House Committee on Appropriations arc look
Ing into the contract with Well Fargo 4 Co. for
carving the overland mails The publication of the
official documents from the agents, showing the
manner in which the service is performed has IN
dacod the Committee to authorize Chairman wash
burne to address letter to the Postmaster-General
Suggesting that payments for said service be sus-
pcudcd until the Committee have completed their IN
vest cation.
Representative Lincoln says. referring Ia the mis-
use of his frank by Publishing firm IN New-iork,
that the stamp employed is forgery. The fact came
10 hIs notice sometime ago. and he at oncesen orders
10 the New-YOrk Post Office not to allow any dOcu-
Inents hearing his frank TO go out. From that time
he received nearly 30 packages por day which were
dropped IN at NewYork bearing his frank. Recently
the forged stamp by which his was affixed 10
these documents has been captured by the autbOrlucs
IN New York. The frank Of Senator Morgan has also
been couuterfeted and extensively used by Eastern
firms and by arms in New-York.
Tue Treasury Department has been informed that
Supervisor Creecy of Louisiana has suspended As-
SCISSOR Norcross OF the Hid District for fraud and
gross neglect OF duty. Mr.. Creecy announces his
purpose Of repairing at to Washington Tor in
stuctions and 70 report what progress be has made
The Librarian of Congress, MIR. A. Z. Sp0tloId has
Just made his annual report The Library has been
increased during the year b. $500 volumes Of books
and about $500 pamphlets. The whole number of
volumes in the Library is 1885, exclusive VI un-
bound pamphlets periodicals maps. and manuscripts.
Tho receipts during the year under the operation OF
the copyright law were about 100 books and 3400
pamphlets, periodicals. maps, engTayngs Sc. The
Librarian speaks some length Of tho operation Of
the copyright law and shows that many publishers
aTe very slow in obeyng its requirement that they
shall send one copy Of every Publication to the Ii
bTary. lie thinks that he has however been able TO
secure thFeo-ionIths of all copyright plhIcaElons
made since the law of IebrluY, 1861, went iutO Of
feet.
Col Philip r.. FoIney, son Of Col John W.
Fomcy, engaged N dispute with IN army officer in /
font Of Wilaids Hotel, on Friday evening and |
mutual friends suggested an Adjournment TO Iincoln
Barracks. Tbither the young went Seconds were /
chosen, pistols prepared, shots exchanged,
ami the dueliDs party returned 20 the city auch
harmed. President Lincoln appointed young Torney !
10 position in the regular army but he resigned