New-York tribune., 1869-01-18

that il be understood that am only giving inc spec
ulalons and combinations OF the politicians and the
general drift Of opinion among wel-niormed men at
the Capital
First of all. it is to be said that there are afew
men whom everybody takes as the corner-stones Of
his particular Cabinet structure Oh such Tor diverse
reasons are Washbume, Ben Wade, Rawlins, Scho
field. Stanton. and Sumner. Then there are num-
her of utility men, whom everybody thinks of rs
available for filing the vacant places in his particu
lar scheme Among these are men like Motley, or
Charles Francis Adams Boutwell,, Wells, Dennlson
Schenck Roberts, Cox. Pierrepont, or Porter Ana
then there follow a great swarm of local great men,
whose claims are TO be considered whom their
respective sections think quite as important as any
that have been named, and some of whom will un-
doubtedly receive serious consideration.
That Mr. Washburne is TO be either asked what
place he would prefer offered one of the best IS OF
course. Those who think that he would rather re-
main in the House to serveas watchdog of the Treas
sury and take the kicks Of every rapacious gang
that may be trying to break in, have overlooked his
16 years continuous service in.the House, ms de-
sire in times past to escape to the Senate, and his
failing health Public opinion has settled down into
the belief that on this last account he would prefer
the easier life of foreign mission. Whoever has
visited him lately at his residence has not faed 10
observe the rare French books of history that lie
about his orl-table or the marked interest he has
been showing in French affairs. This, to be sure
is only the indulgence of taste formed long be-
fore Gen. Grant was thought of for the Presidency
but the gossips have fixed it that if Washburne
should go abroad, he is to succeed Gen. DIX On the
same process Of studying his tastes, they hold that
if he should take Cabinet office. it would be the
one in which the leaks now thought TO be the
most serious and the opportunity for economical re-
forms the greatest-the Department of the Interior
Ben Wade is held, like Washburne to be one OF the
necessities of Grants position. lie has been
thrown out of the Senate, after Is years ser
vice. by an unumely and temporary reaction
in his State; he has been Nice-Presdent III
name and he came very near beng Iresldenti
he was n conspicuous candidate for place beside
Grant on the Chicago ticket. and he became so after
having been much talked of for the first place and
having sent his friends TO tell Grant that II the Cen
era meant TO allow the of his name, then wade
only sought association with him. Republicans OF
all shades look upon these things as constituting
Wade's certain title to being taken care Of But
lie is sorey pressed from his own State, which has
fecundity in great men most unfortunate for these
great men themselves, who find that they are
crowded altogether too close TO thrive well
the persons who assume TO champion his
cause in many cases do him more harm
than good; and the fact that he has never done ex
ccutive work, and is too old to lean is against him.
Then the army set have naturally great influence
with Grant and they have never learned to love the
Chairman of the Committee ON the Conduct OF the
War; which their writers call the American Auiic
Council nor to forget the Ohio Senator who has said
so many brusque things about the number Of traitors
West Point has given to the country. Nobody be-
lieves that these things can diminish Grants APP
probation of the bluff Ohoan whose life has been
40 Oohle N baftle hut n good many believe
that they may dull the edge Of his appetite for ak-
ing Wade as a confidential Cabinet adviser. II there
were good vacant Judgeship, or if Wade would be
satisfied with "A iirst-cass foreign mission--such as
that to st. Petersburg-most Republicans think that
probably Grants mind would be quite as easy.
OF Gen Rawlins. it is to be said that only two
considerations prevent his going into the Cabi-
net One is his very uncertain health the other,
Grants possible unwillingness to lose the immediate
personal service which he has leaned since 1861
To these may perhaps De added Gen. Rawlins's own
dissemination to undertake work with which he has
little familiarity. and in which he has not hitherto
been specially interested. Gen. Schofeld's friends
firmly believed three weeks ago, that he sure TO
be retained in the War Department. lie went in by
Grants advice: he has given Grant more than sat
isfaction; lie has been trusted. especially dur
ing the campaign. with almost unlimited
use Of Grants authority and name; he has managed
affairs az the South dunng a most critical period
with signal discretion. But, on the other hand,
Grant has often expressed his belief that general
rule, army officers should avoid civilian positions,
and bill that seems TO be approved by great many
OF his supporters in Congress is aimed directly at
such cases as that of scho6eld On the whole,
it is certain that the present Secretary Of
War, like Senator Wade, will be taken care
Of" but not at all certain that he viii con
tinue In the post whose duties he now dis
charges 80 acceptably. Mr.. Stanton's case is
complicated in many ways. There was time when
Gen Grant was reported as complaining to Mr. John
son that the Secretary of War commanded the army
instead Of the General-in-Chief. Then there came
time when these officers coGperated most cordially
in movements distasteful TO Mr.. johnson. No man
has warmer backing among Republicans than Mr.
Stanton; and no man has btterer enemies open or
concealed among the army people-from Sherman
down-among whom Grants most intimate associates
are found Mr. Stanton is probably sincere in saying
that he is willing to retire TO private
life and it is certain that his health forbids
his undertaking again such labOrs made
his administration of the War Department a marvel
He talked of for the State Department and for the
Treasury; but many of Giants friends doubt
whether the heroic practice" for which be was
famous would exactly suit the wants OF either our
diplomacy or our finance On the other hand there
is an opinion, much talked Of that if the country
were raed with drag-net, no two other public men
could be brought up concerning whom there would
be such moral certainty that they would collect
the revenue and drive out the thieves as concerning
Edwin NJ. Stanton and Benjamin f. Butler. Butler
is out of the question of course; but there IS no
doubt that this consideration weighs largely with
the President-elect in Stantons favor.
Mr. Sumner is not man with whom the President