New-York tribune., 1868-08-12
WASHINGTON.
MR. EvARTs's oPINIoN-sECRETARY sCHoFIELD's
LETTER-THE CABINET--THE CATTLE PLAGUE
Personal,


PERSONAL.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Aug H. 1868
Mr. Evarts has finished his opinion on the question
submitted to HIM few days ago, relative to the
gnation of Mr. Rollins, and handed 1t to the Presi-
dent this afternoon. 1t is quite lengthyd ocument,
and is said to be very able paper Mr. Evarts takes
the ground that the resignation of Mr.. Rollins
was q qualified one, and that the Presl-
dent cannot accept it and appoint sue
cessor unless the conditions on which 1t was
made are fulfilled which, were the nomination
by the President and confirmation by the Senate, OF
a new Commissioner. 1t contains numerous refer
ences to legal opinions and decisions the question
of appointments, removals, and designations, and
cites decision of AssOcate-Justice Mclean, on
writ of mandamus, to compel an officer to show
cause why he held q certain office. Mr. Evarts also
takes the ground that Congress has merely taken q
recess and that the President cannot make appoint
ments to the Russian. Venezuelan, and Ecuador mis-
sions. There is not much doubt that the President
will act in accordance with this opinion of
Mr.. Evarts, so that the question of the
Commissionership may be regarded as settled.
Mr. Rollins remains complete master OF the SITUATION
but as he is personally anxious TO withdraw from the
Department on account of business engagements, he
will retire in favor of some safe and suitable ap-
pointee. Mr. Evarts holds that the President, during
the recess of Congress, can make only original APP
pointments which covers the case of Alaska and
Wyoming Territory.
About ten detectives were employed by Commis-
sioner Rollins before that officer left Washington, TO
attend the important cases which were undergoing
inspection when the new law went into effect.
Much significance is attached by politicians here to
the letter of instructions which published yester
day by Sec SchOfed to Gen. Buchanan. The docu-
ment was shown to the President before twas sent to
Gen. Buchanan and received his approval. Its most
noticeable and important feature Is thatit recognizes
the validity Of the present State Government OF
Louisiana. II is intended to apply to all the recon-
structed Southern States, and similar instructions
are to be sent to the other military commanders.
The Democrats say that it is another OF Johnsons
stupidities. They regard it as an abandonment by
the President of of the principal panks IN their
platform.
The regular meeting of the Cabinet was held at II
o'clock to-day, Secretaries Browning, McCuHoch'
Schofeld AttorneyGen. Eyarts, and Assistant Sec
retary Of State Hunter being the only members
present. The session lasted until nearly O'Clock
Secretary McCulloch issued a circular to the heads
of departments in the Treasury to-day requiring
complete lists of the clerical force, preparatory to
general reduction of the number of employees on the
first of September 1t is thought that the services Of
about 500 clerks will be dispensed with
The Committee appointed by Secretary McCuloch
about four or FIVE weeks ago to investigate the man
agement and conduct of the Printing Bureau OF the
Treasury have nearly completed their labOrs. They
have already presented a whitewashing report as
was expected.
The Hon. Horace Capron, Commissioner of Agri-
culture has commissioned Professor Gamgee yeteri-
nary surgeon of the Royal Albert College, England,
who has had large experience during the recent
cattle plague in that country to investigate at once
the causes and means of prevention Of the present
disease in this country, which is supposed to have
been brought into Illinois by herds of Texas cattle
going Last Professor Gamgee has made very
limited investigation as to the disease but his work
now on behalf of the agricultural department vii be
thorough and complete and his report published at
an early day.
Fourteen clerks who were relieved from duty in
the Quartermaster office several weeks ago.
were to-day restored to their former positions Nearly
all of them served in the late
Gen Charles II. Howard of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau left for Baltimore this morning TO take charge
of the books and papers of the Freedmen's Bureau,
for the States of Maryland and Delaware. An order
has been issued to reorganize the Bureau in these
States. bringing both of them under the control of
the Department of the District of Columbia Brig
Gen Brooks has been relieved from duty in these
States and ordered 10 report LOT uuly al
in this city.
A Naval General Court Martial, of which Capt. j.
r. NJ Mullany has been appointed President, has been
ordered TO convene at the NayyYard New York,
August 70. Marine General Court Martial, of which
Major A. s. Nicholson, L. s. Marine Corps Is Presl
dent will convene at the Marine Barracks at Wash
ingtOn, ID. c., tomorrow, the 18th inst.
j. IL. Ashton, First Assistant Attorney General,
leaves for New-York tomorrow.
Gen. Wade Hampton declared at the Democratic
Convention in Columbia, 5. c., on Friday last that
he had the honor of introducing into the New-lork
Democratic platform the resolution declaring the
Reconstruction acts of Congress unconstitutional
and void