The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-31
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Dec 80, 1868.
General Grant AIisrepresented by His Radical
Friends.
From a source entitled to the highest credit and
which am not at liberty to dvulge l derive infor-
nation tonight that leaves doubt of the fact that
all the recent publications pretending to give Gene
raj Grants views on important political subjects
were simply misrepresentation. My informant is
official conceded to be on the most intimate terms
with the President elect and possessing in high
degree the confidence OF the latter. The gentleman
to whom allude spent some hours with General
Grant yesterday at his headquarters, subsequently
dined with him and had full and free conversation
on public matters do not violate any confidence
in stating that when this gentleman called Gene
raj Grants attention to the recent quasi
official publications and asked him If 1t was
true he had authorized OF even acknowledged them
as correct expositions OF his views ne replied in the
negative declaring that though he had many con-
versatons with public men recently, he had never
given uterances 10 the views attributed to him. Visit
tors were constantly calling upon him and peppering
him with all sorts of questions on ticklsh points,
such as his policy, &c. He could not always bunty
refuse an answer, but he invariably got away with
some evasive remarks, which he found afterwards
twisted and tortured in the newspapers, owing to
the anxiety OF his curious political friends to
fasten him to views favored by themselves.
AS to expressing himself one way or the
other on subjects coming under the excu-
sive jurisdiction OF Congress, he had TOO much dis
erection to do anything Of the kind After his naugu
ration his views would be known as circumstances
called for their disclosure. My informant states that
there Is no doubt that all the recently published
statements about the Generals views in regard to
the Pacific Railroads. the Civil Tenure bill and the
distribution OF federal patronage originated in the
unreliable manner described above. The Tribune
expositions on some Of these points has excited the
Indignation OF Grant and his friends, and promi-
nent republican has already written to Greeley to
learn whether mis- paper is still radical or not.
The New York SenatOrship.
Several prominent New York politicians here at
present speak confidently Of the reelection OF Nor
gan for Senator. Fentons chances are disparaged,
and the superstition Of his friends that the ballots
likely to be cast for Noah Davis will be finally
thrown for Fent0n is ridiculed. Morgan is repre-
sented as being prepared to spend million dollars
to secure his election for another term, and that his
plans are already SO well laid his organization 30
complete and effective that there is no likelihood
of hts defeat.
Reform in the Legislative Appropriation Bill.
The House Appropriation Committee spent another
session to-day on the Legislative, Executive and
Judicial Appropriation bill. AS this Is one of the
largest and most important Of the Appropriation
bills the committee giving it particular attention,
with view OF making some important reforms in
the interests OF economy. They have ascertained
that large number of clerks in the several execu
tive departments be dispensed with without the
slightest detrnent to the public service The salaries
OF these clerks will amount in the aggregate to be
tween two and three hundred thousand dollars per
annum and the committee propose TO save
this to the government by cutting down the
appropriation TO that extent curious fact
has been discovered by the committee, which
illustrates the force OF habit in passing appropria-
riOn bills without too much scrutiny. II appears
that when the proposition was made many years
ago to deposit the remains Of General washington
In the Capitol, under the dome, q man was ap-
pointed to take charge OF the place where they
to be laid. OF course they were placed there;
but IL seems That each successive Congress since
that time has regularly made an appropriation TO
pay the man whose services were never called into
| requisition. The present Committee on Appropria-
tion will leave that item out OF the bill this year.
| Another Leak in the Treasury stopped.
At the last session OF Congress-, Mr.. Ella, OF New
Hampshire, from the Committee Printing, offered
and had passed resolution turning the printing OF
specifications for the Patent once over to the Con
gressiona printer Before that it had been given
out to contractors who made handsome sums cut OF
1t at the expense OF the government. TO show the
effect OF the resolution, Mr.. Ella has obtained from
the Commissioner OF Patents statement showing
the cost of printing these specifications under the
two systems. In November, 1867, when the matter
was given out by contract 1t cost the Patent once
over $1,000. During the same month this year
when the work is done at the government printing
office, IL cost $3,422 The Commissioner Of Patents
estimates that II win be average saving OF about
$4,000 year TO the government, which would
otherwise have gone into the pockets Of contractors.
The Charges Against Judge Busteed.
The subcommittee OF the House Judiciary Com.
mittee held meeting to-day to investigate the al
legged charges against Judge Busted, OF Alabama.
+. +. Woodbridge, OF Vermont, Chairman and
Charles Eldridge, OF Wisconsin, were present
James f. Wilson, OF Iowa, Chairman OF the Judi
ciary Committee, also attended. Robert II. Smith,
OF Mobile, and II. G. Semple, OF Montgomery, Ala.
are the prosecuting party. Mr.. Smith made no APP
pcarance, but sent letter stating he was ILL., Mr.
Semple and two witnesses Josiah Morris and James
r. Powell, were present. The charges advanced
against Judge Busted by Smith and Scmple may be
condensed under the head Of gross ignorance and
gross corruption in once. The witnesses men,
TONED were placed under an Injunction sew
orally not TO dvnge the character OF the testimony
they presented. The committee and principals In
the case were similarly enjoncd Mr.. X. r. Mer-
rick, It is understood, declined acting. though
previously retained counsel for the prosecution
W. E. Chandler, es-Assstant Secretary OF the Urea
sury, was associated with Judge Busted for the de-
fence. The tenor Of the evidence offered to-day is
said by Busteed's friends to be inadequate to sup
port the charges against him. The prosecution
however, are confident he Will be impeached.
Expose Of Revenue Frauds in Virginia.
John Gilmer. Of Richmond, Is preparing q pamph-
let giving full expose OF alleged whiskey, tobacco
and other revenue frauds in that part Of the coun-
try. Disclosures are said to be made In the
pamphlet which are calculated to excite a
muss In the Cabinet as wen as TO provoke an
acrimonious controversy between McCuloch, Rollins
and the President. The publication will be ready by
Monday next, and Is said Mr.. Gimer intends to
send copy 10 evey Senator and Member OF Con-
gress. Should thcpamphet come anywhe near tore
what Is promised u viii contain rich Developments
compromising higl officials whose names have NOT