The New York herald., 1869-09-12
WASHING cTON.
Minister SickleS and the Proposition
to Buy Cuba
THE PROPOSITION SAvOaED BY SERRANo
Assistant Secretary Richardson's Reforms in
the Treasury Depmtment.

wAsHNaroN, Sept II, 1863.
Success OF General SickIesr uJlssion-Spain
Preparing to Accepe tho Unltcd 6tsaes'
Proposition In Regard to Cuba.
private letter received In this cisy fom General
Sickles expresses the opinion that the propositions
relative to Cuba originally submitted Dy hun 70 the
Spanish government will be finally accepted though
1t may be delayed for some time Regent Serrano Ia
well disposed, and II the matter left solely to
HIM 1t would probably be settled at once. The
members OF the Regents cabinet however, are
rather slow about acting. Sickles is sanguine that
they, too, viii finally come to terms. private
letter from another source in Madrid says tho
Spanish people beginning 70 re alze the folly OF
Spain endeavoring to retain Cuba. They are get
ting tired OF the drain Of men and money for the
'1aithful isle.u
Register Locks for Dlstiilerics.
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue has, In
pursuance Of the various provisions OF the law, pre-
scrbed tho seal register lock- manufactured by the
Townsend Manufacturing Company. BuIalo, for use
at distllleries ana bonded warehouses They are
furnished st the expense Of the owners OF such es
tablahments Collectors and assessors are directed
to ascertain what number OF those patent seal locks
will be required In the dstiieries and warehouses IN
their respective districts. Many acts OF careessness
by the Olcers having In custody the locks and keys
have come to the knowledge OF the Internal Revenue
Office and any ofncer guilty Of such negligence
should be promptly reported ior dismissal Distil-
lers required to fit the doors which tho locks
are to be placed with the requisite hasps ana sta
pies, and the internal revenue ofcers are required
to see that the hasps are sufcenty strong and the
staples securely fastened.
The Salary Of General sherman.
General Sherman's commission as Secretary OF
War appoints him until the end OF the next session
Of Congress. Tie law does not prevent him from
holding the two ofces Of General and Secretary OF
War, but he must elect which salary he will accept
Weekly Financial Statement.
Mutrated bank notes burned during the week end
ing to-day amount to $92 600. Total amount burned,
$16.Ol5,7 7. Bank currency issued for bills destroyed
during the week, S77,l7o. Total amount issued
therefor, SIS, sos. Balance due for mutilated
notes, $780, 1s9. Circulation outstanding this date,
$3.50 T42, $50. The remaining items OF the weekly
financial statement have not been prepared at the
department, owing to the once being closed.
The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Judge Richardson, Assistant Secretary Of the
Treasury win leave here IN few days to attend to
his court In Massachusetts,.
Reforms Inaugurated in the Treasury De-
partment.
Twenty-six clerks belonging to the Second Audi
tors Oice Of the Treasury suffered reduction OF
| their monthly compensation during August on ac-
| count OF loss Of time. An estimate has been made
at the Treasury Department Of the amount lost by
the government last year by the absense OF clerks
from their duties, not including the regular leaves
| of absence, In that department. alone, and shows
that the amount reached $4,000 q month, nearly
| half Q million during the year. This does not
include tardy arrivals to their duties OF employes
and short absences during the Gay. Assistant Secre
in this matter and hereafter strict reduction will bt
made from the pay Of those who do not give tht
entire time required BY the department regulations
| for attention to onlcial business.
Brockinridge Not Confederate by Choice.
| That John G. Breckinridge went into the rebellion
not by choice with the approval OF his heart and
head seems to be established by little incident
which has just come to my knowledge. 1t Is not OF
| mucn consequence now, perEsus whether or not the
ex-vce President persuaded TO JOIN she confede
racy against his better judgment; but 1. may be Of
interest to his many friends In the North and South
to learn at this late day the real truth about
the matter. On the night OF the last day Of the
called session OF Congress- at the close OF Buchanans
| administration, while Colonel John W. Forney and
| Daniel e. Sickes then member Of Congress) were
| talking together in the Senate Chamber, Breckin-
| ridge went up to them to bid them goodby.
|
"GoOd-by; am going away Tomorrow"
"Good-by," SAID Forney, shaking his hand, 'and
farewell too"
"And why farewell S' replied Breckenridge
| quickly. IL don't understand you. l am coming
| back"
"You will never come back" said Forney, ''and
therefore say farewell too.''
| "You are mistaken, FOrney. l intend to return
| have q son who has been 30 foolish as to Join tn,
other side but Pm going to Richmond to get hin
or and then shall return,r said Breckenridge ear
nestly.
.'Forney Is right " remarked Sickles at this point
| ''you will go to Richmond and you will be persuaded
TO cast your fortunes with the people OF your sec
tion You will never come back, feel satisfied"
"You are both mistaken, believe me, said Breck
enridge with good deal OF WARMTH" shall return
| as say, and stand by the Union."
This story got from such source as to leave no
doubt Of Its entire truthuness and have no iou b
both Forney and Sickes will endorse 1t II applied
to.
Appointment of Superintendents Of Repairs.
The Supervising Architect Of the Treasury Depart
| ment A. b. Mullet ia about TO appoint the superin
tendents for the repairs OF the various post Office.
and custom houses throughout the country. There
are of course, large number Of applications, but
the selections will,be made solely with view TO ht
meas for the positions.
Highly Important Ruling In the Internal
| Revenue Law.
| Judge Erskine OF the United states District Cour
for the District OF Georgia, has sent to Washington
q copy of his opinion delivered az Chambers In rh,
| matter OF Meador q Brothers. It appears that I'll,
| counsel for Meador h Brothers, being dissatisfied
with Judge Erskines rulings at the oriRna
trial, in which the learned Judge held tina
tho acts OF 1865 and 1868, authorizing super
visors OF internal revenue to issue summonses snt
make search were constitutional, applied for wrl
| OF error and moved that supersedlas be allowed
objection being made by the United states Attorney
| the Court held that no provision or law existed
whereby 4 suit OF error would lie TO decision mad
by judge In a proceeding OF this nature out 0
| court and while sitting Judge under the said acts
The case excited general interest," and the decision
AZ Chambers il looked upon as great triumph o
| IN NJ natl