The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-23
MEN AND MEASURES AT WASHINGTON.


70 the work of choosing
General Grants Cabinet
for him. 1t ls onesiinnshl~ -h..ns1 -h.,s1 AZ that
NINE Grant himself had given the subject
single serious thought. If we are to believe
some OF those who are, by common consent
regarded as the Generals most intimate friends,
the question as to who shall be in the cabinet
is vet to be considered by him. But this has
had no effect upon the busy and oolging polltl
clans who are anxious TO perform gratuitously
one OF the most difficult and delicate tasks
for the President elect. The list Of
names whose lucky owners have
been set down for the Cabinet IS
rather lengthy, in view OF the TACT thSt 'aere
are only seven positions to be Tiled. Nearly
eyery public man who has had the good fortune
TO get his name in the newspapers during his
Ife has been nominated for o place in Grants
Cabinet by his little coterie OF admirers. ss'eu
Beau Hickman and Andrew johnson have been
mentioned, th ough both of them have been
heard TO say, like Secretary McCulioch, thai
"under 10 circumstances could they be prevailed
upon to enter Grants Cabinet" If the compo-
sition of he Cabinet is to remain sealed secret
for some months yet, we have at least tue
satisfaction of knowing who are aspirants TOR
Most Of the places.
Ine Department OF state.
The radicals are said to be mastering all their
STRENGTH to press the claims OF Hon. OnariN
Sumner, of Massachusetts,, for secretary Of
Etate, while the conservatives will urge S1enRtor
Fessendeu, Of Maine, for the same pc,sttiou, 1t
ia more than suspected that Sumne-- is mbilious
to preside over the affairs of the Department OF
State So far as ability md efficiency are
concerned Grant may make a worse choice
Than Sumner. His Position as Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for many
wears has given him an experience in, and
familiarity With, all matters pertaining to our
relations with the nations OF the world scarcely
second to those of Mr.. eward. Whether he pos
xesses that well-balanced judgment and keen
sagacity 80 necessary in diplomacy is another
question. The knowing politicians, however,
say Sumner is too radical for Grant, and there
fore stands poor chance, no matter what his
qualifications may be. II is generally conceded
that William Pitt Fessenden would make
good Secretary, but 1t is questionable
whether he will be offered the portfolio. He
was not among the original admirers of Grant,
NOR was the latter his choice for the Presidency.
Had he had the nomination 10 make, he would
doubtless have named Chase as the standard
the radicals of New England have not forgotten
his action during the impeachment trial, and
they are too numerous a body in that section to
be quietly ignored. Between sumner aud
Fessenden Senator Wilson's friends hope to slip
him quietly in as compromise candidate. His
personal qualifications for the place do not
equal either those OF Sumner or Fessenden. But
he would be acceptable to both wings of the
party. With the exception of Wendell Phillips
and his followers, the radicals in New England
and elsewhere regard Wilson as among the most
trusty while the conservatives look upon him
as moderate, sensible man. Besides, Wilson
is warm personal friend OF Grant. He was
among his earliest admirers and defenders. AS
chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs,
he did for Grant in the Senate what e. B..
Washburne did for him in the House. lie was
among the first politicians who declared for
Grant for the Presidency, and one OF the most
active workers in the campaign. Will
son is not man Of learning like
Bxmner, nor is he an able lawyer
like Fesseuden. His kno Wedge has been
gathered rather from his observation OF, and
his experience with, men and things than from
books. He isprobably more of politician than
3 statesman, with strong tendency towards that
'expediency" in politics for which he has been
no often denounced by Wendell Phillips. For
all that, he might make q good Secretary OF
State. There are numerous other aspirants tor
Ibis place, but do not mention them.
The Treasury.
Perhaps the greatest anxiety Is to know who
Is gong to be Secretary of the Treasury under
Grant. Nor is this marvellous, considering that
the Treasury is the bone which contains the
most and the fattest pckngs. Aside from Its
patronage, which, with the Internal Revenue
Bureau, is immense, the Department has
since the war, obtained powerful sway ovel
the stock and money markets. Mr.. McCulloch
Indignantly denies ever having exercised this
either for his own benefit or that of his friends.
He even asserts that both himself and his friends
are poorer now than when he became Secretary.
But there is some doubt about this in tao
minds of large number of persons. 1t Is
maliciously whispered that nearly all his friends
in Indiana, who were comparatively poor before,
are now lourshing bankers, while his brother
inlsw in New York has expanded from a small
broker into a controlling spirit of the Stock
Board and the Gold Room. If the stories which
reach our ears are to be half believed, MIR.
McCuloch is in the happy condition of the man
who is Welltodo himself and has no poor rela-
lions. "Ii," argue the hungry politicians and
ofice-seekers, zone Secretary can do so much
Tor himself and his irieLds, why cannot an
other?" The logic is plain. Another Secre-
tary might do more. Mr. McCulloch has
labored under difficulties. During the
greater Tart of his term he had Congress
T.. -fav.t tlv huH NTH oil