The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-02-26
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 90, 1869.
EprroR Usros & JouRSAL:-rO day is the
birthday Of the immortal Washington, and in
honor to his memory the Treasury Department
closed at one O'Clock. and win employ little Of
NY leisure In writing you. hardly need men
zion that VIC have not yet ascertained who will be
members ofGrant's Cabinet. The General has
wisely determined not to name the men till he
wants their service. but inquiry and curiosity Is
as active rs ever. A few days ago II was cur
rrntly reported that the Vice President always
Ismcd one member, and that Colfax had select
4 Dcfrccs the public printer TO be Postmaster
General. IL war afterwards said that no such
ustom existed and both Colfax and Defrccs de-
lied the repOrt. Ii was also rSpOrtci last week
hat Grant hal quarrellei with Badcau, mcm-
her Of his STAFF, confidential secretary, and BIZ
,rr,pher. II grew out Of the alarming fact
hat Gen. Badeau had moyed his desk into an
,vdioining room, at Army Headquarters TO give
lace TO desk for Gen. Sherman, who viii soon
g here 10 assume command Of the Army. l
mention thc~c facts TO show that newspaper men
are enterprising IL not always truthful.
think il safe to say that Grant has mention
vi 10 no one, as yet. his election for Cabinet
ministers. Predictions, however, arc always
n order and are quito freely male. For the
tate DEPARTMENT would mention the names oil
,enator fcssenden and Atty. Gen. Evarts, with
he chances, in my opinion in favor OF fessen-
len. Grant differed with fessenden ON i'm
cachmcnt, but. IL Is said. he believes he voted
onscientiously and he regards him one OF the
i.blest statesmen in the country. IL selected ne
sill make safe counsellor for the President
The most important post Of all Is that OF Secre-
AIRY Of the Treasury. Geo. s Boutell, OF Mas:
rs the hyorite among Congrcssmen. Francis L.
Spinner, U. :. Treasurer. Is mentioned but ne
may be sent over b New York 20 reform the
Custom House. Either Horace Maynard, OF
Tennessee, or Joseph Holt, Of Kentucky, may
he invited 70 rcpruent the Southern States In
the Cabinet. Wade is mentioned for Interior
Department. and Jas. r. Wilson, Of Iowa, for
ATTY. General provided Evarts retires, but
,loubt il either Of them will be elected. Wilson
will replace Senator / rimes in course Of time,
and Wade Is old, and hardly the kind Of man
Grant would like for q confidential adviser.
Crcsswell, Of Maryland. and Dinnison OF Ohio
are mentioned Tor places. This much may bs
sail, I think with truth. that Grant win choose
n Cabinet from those who supported the war Tor
the Union, the rccons,ruetion measures Of Con-
gross, and the Republican party in the Prrsi-
Dental election. lie viii choose men on account
Of their fitness for their duties rather than Tor
their influence in party politics. The man who
kent around him those brave, tried and ai'hfal
heroes. Sherman Sheridan, and Thomas, to aid
him in crushing rebellion, win hardly Gail Ia e.
lcct good men to assist him in hoaestly admin
istering the civil aaairs Of the government. l
believe the people and politicians generally have
such confidence In his gOcl judgement that tlsy
desire him TO be left perfectly free in the selec-
ton Of Cabinet. Another thing may be said ol
Grant. think. thai he has made up his mind