The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-28
FIRST EDITIO
O. GEN. CIR A MT.
His Opinion of the Civil Ser
vice Bill-He will Crush
the Whisky Rings.

In lts Washington Dispatches the folioWing;-
Vhe question of Wholesale displacement OF
JobnsonN officials who hold commissions oy
and with tie advice and consent OF the hepub-
Rcan Senate, on the 4th of March next, by the
incoming administration, has been the subject
of deep consideration by the friends of General
Grant for a long time past. The subject having
lately been alluded 10 in conversations with the
Presidentelect he emphatiCally declared his op-
position, in SO many words, to the old Jackson
doctrine that to the victors belong the spolls.
In other words, he is opposed to turning men
out of Office merely for opinions sake. Inc
purpose of his administration will be the faithful
performance of the duties OF his great ounce; TO
see that the laws are carried out; that honesty
and economy prevail in the public service, and
that all the offices are filed by capable and
efficient men. This is understood to mean
that if an officer in the public service has
Shown a peculiar fitness for his position,
and evidence OF his ability to perform its
functions In the highest degree of excellence
and with honesty of purpose no matter what
his political opinions, may be- 1t would be I'M
proper to displace that officer with one who
could at least perform the duties no better.
While it is probable that General Grant Will seek
in the REPUBLICAN party men to 81 the various
offices, it is certain that he will look more
closely TO the fitness of the candidate than to his
political services to any party; and that the
claims of 10 man on the latter ground merely
will be considered. General Grant has also SAID
in conversation, recently, that he is in favor of
the general features OF MIR. Jenckes' civil Ser
vice bill.
More Statements Regarding the Gene
rails Yiows-A Social Chat.
The Washington correspondence (Dec. 2D of
the Syracuse IN. " journal contains the fol-
loWing:-
It is quite evident that General Grants silence
is not the result of obtuseness or want of ideas.
Since his return to Washington he has not been
remarkable for reticence. On the contrary, he
seems to have taken every proper occasion to
express his opinions on current topics.
Just before Congress met he announced him.
self as desiring to see passed au amendment to
the Constitution making uniform rule OF sut
fiage. He also reiterated his favorable opinion
of the Wade amendment, limiting President
to one term.
At an interview with members of the
House, General Grant took occasion to urge
the absolute necessity OF a session of the Forty
first Congress, to begin on the Atm of March
next. He said that legislation was greatly
behind the real needs OF the country, and
that further, his administration would require
the presence of Congress to aid in the adoption
of measures that might be found absolutely
necessary for the pacfcation Of the country.
This ends, without doubt, all attempts to
repeal the act by which each Congress is re-
Qured to meet on the 4th of March, though 1t
il understood the House Judiciary Committee
agree to report bill for that purpose.
Another and desirable evidence OF the Gene
rails watchfulness is seen in the. sending of
members of his staff to make Thorough inspec.
tioDs in the disturbed States. 1t is understood
they are directed to make the most careful
examination into the state of affairs. General
Parker is to leave soon for the Gulf States, and
Assistant Adjutant-General Leet has already
gone to Sheridan's department.
gentleman who spent several hours recently
at General Grants residence, with several
others, gives me some interesting gossip about
the interview. The person referred to was
former friend OF the Grant family, aud knew
the General when West Point cadet at home
on a visit. Like Others have seen, he did not
believe the cadet had any elements OF power
and grandeur in his character and told how
Vehemently he controverted General Hamer's
dthe Congressman by whom Grant was nomi.
mated to West Poin', and who afterwards fell 10
kexico) declaration that Lieutenant Grant
would make his mark, for that there was good
deal in HIM.
Ny informant was delighted with the easy
geniality of the General, and described with
gusto his manner and conversation. Among
other things he said that Grant told how sur
prised he was at the number OF men. Pemberton
General Grant) supposed the force to be not
more than fifteen thousand. Pembsrton
told him, when they were arranging
terms OF surrender, that hls men must
lines and depots. This was acquiesced in.
Pemberton then said he should need sup.
plies Immediately. j asked him for 'how
manyP said Grant, and when he told me $4,000
men, my eyes, gentlemen, opened as wide as
that-at the same time illustrating by placing
his thumb and fore6nger together so as to make
4 large oval: There mere, " was laugh % over this
ments. The regard for sherman, so we'll known
10 the country, was shown quste plainly by
several illusions to him, and especially In the
narration of incidents connected with the sur
render OF Johnston.
Senator Wilson, who was present, remarked
jocularly that he hal noticed that the General
had been closeted with Mcclellan. Grant re-
spoDded Rfiirmatively, and further said that
&cCle Ian was an able man and soldier.
The only point on which he expressed himself
daring the conversation tnat bore upon public
AFFAIRS, was in relation to General Sheridan, and
HE removal from the command Of Louisiana.
II was an easy and fair deduction from his
remarks, TO believe that among the first if not
the very fret act OF his Administration as
"ComDander-in-Chief" would be the signing OF
an order placing Little Phil in command of
Louisiana and Texas, probably also of all the
TransmississIppi region.
A New Cabinet Slate.
The new Cabinet 'slate." revised aud COR
Iected for the Christmas holidays and the recess
of Congress, ts as foliows:-
Secretary of State. - Hon. Charles Francis
Adams, of Massachusetts.
secretary. of The TredsUry-Hon. John Sher-
man, of Ohio.
Secretary Of Wdr-Geueral George B. McClel-
Ian, Of New York.
Porter, United States Navy, OF Pennsylvania.
The positions of Secretary OF the Interior,
Acknowledgement and Postmaster General are
now blank.-N Y. Herald.
The whisky Rings.
General Grant says he is $50 much of radical
that ne will tear up the whisky, railroad, and
insular ringsr by the roots IL he has TO fill every
important civil office in the country with army
and navy regular officers, whom he knows he
can rely on for an honest and faithful
discharge of their duties.n His pTOnulcidml leatC
will also explain Senator Edmunds silly bill
about two ofdees.-M Y: Hera.d.
Mrs, General Gaines is in New Orleans.