The New York herald., 1869-02-14
WASHINGTON
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Tender Of Their Commissions to the Pre-
Sident and Vice President Elect.
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Speech Of General Grant on
Accepting.
No Cabinet Appointments to be Announced
Until Sent to the Senate.
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Honesty and Economy to be the
Ruling Principles.
PARDON OF SANFORD CONOVER.
PARDON OF SANFORD CONOVER.
ANDY JOHNSON'S LAST VETO.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 1869.
The President Elect Receives His Commis-
siOn-H0ncsty and Economy TO be the Fen.
lures of the New Administration.
One OF the most important ceremonies that has yet
occurred In connection with the incoming admins
tration was performed to-day, when General Grant
was officially informed by Congress Of his election as
President Of the United States. For the past day
two everybody has shared in the general excitement
created by the discussion Of and specuations upon
what Grant w0nld say upon this interesting occa-
sion. 1t was generally supposed that he would dis
close to the favored few who might then be admitted
into his presence not only the names OF the gentle
men whom he had concluded to invite into his Cabi-
net, but that he would talk freely Of his plans and
intentions concerning his approaching admins
tration. Notwithstanding the universal in
terest manifested to learn these highly i'm
poyiant facts, however, there were but few
people gathered at army headquarters Waen
the CogressIonal CQg~@,....eess arrived Although
it had been extensively published that the commit
tee were to be received at eleven O'Clock this morn
ing. About half dozen frequenters of army head
quarters, principally officers i'll the War Department.
and two or three newspaper correspondents, were
In waiting when the committee arrived which was
thirty minutes earlier than the hour appointed.
Senator Morton and Representatives Wilson, Of Iowa,
and Pruyn. of New York. were ushered into the hall
leading to the Generals office, the two former bear
ing in their hands the commissions or the President
and vice-President elect. The committee were at
once conducted up stairs to the Generals Office,
followed by number OF generals, the officers
or Grants staf, and the reporters OF the press
about thirty in all. The members OF the CON-
mittee seated themselves, while the small circle OF
auditors ranged themselves around the ROOM After
the lapse Of about five minutes General Grant en-
tered from an adjoining room neatly attired in
black frock coat vest and pantaoons. plain shirt
bosom, turned down collar black silk necktie,
highly polished boots and glossy silk hat. On this
occasion the General had prevailed upon himself to
dispense with his inevitable cigar. He passed
through the opening made the circle OF bysanders
to the chair in front OF his desk, removing his hat
as he did so. He then shook hands with Senator
Norton Mr. Wilson and Mr.. Pruyn. When the
General had taken his stand beside his chair Senator
Norton arose and said:-
GENERAL GRANT:-The joint committee appointed
by the two houses OF Congress visit you this morn
ing to notify You. officially, that you have been
OF four years from the fourth day OF March
next. The great body OF your countrymen
han your election with delight and even those
who did not support you az the polls entertain for
you the highest confidence and respect. The friends
the world rejoice in your elevation to the Presidency,
and oil believe that you will bring to the perform
ance Of your great duties unalloyed patriotism,
and ali the high qualities which enabled you to
achieve such distinguished success IN another
sphere Of duty. They have full faith In your ability
and virtues and cherish the highest hopes OF your
success, and that during your administration the
OF civil waf healed and that our country win take
new departure Ia growth, progress and prosperity.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Mortons address General
Grant turned the roll OF paper which he held in his
hands, round and round as though endeavoring to
reduce to the smallest sized roll possible and hes
tated but moment or two, when he begun his reply
In tone so low to be inaudble to those standing
at the most distant part OF the room, and a general
closing in OF the party occurred each individual OF
which leaned eagerly forward TO catch every word
that fell from the lips Of future chief magistrate.
Turning to Senator Morton General Grant said-
In reply will inform the committee that 1t will be
my earnest endeavor to call around me as my
sistants men who will carry out the principles which
omy retrenchment. faithful collection Of the reve-
nue. and payment OF the public debt. II should fail
In making my frst choice OF assistants should
mot hesitate to make second, or even third trial.
In the hope that should at last be successful In the
matter Of removals ! VIII be governed alone by the
necessities OF the service. should Just soon re-
move from their positions my own appointees as
should those OF my predecessor There is one other
be that something or the kind Is expected OF me-
that Is In regard to the composition OF my Cabinet
part to announce those whom intended to invite
into my Cabinet or even to consult In regard to
their selection until had been ocially informed OF
my election, but did intend to do so at tins time.
Now. however, after observation and reflection,
have come TO the conclusion that there rs not
man IN the country whom l could invite
to my Cabinet who would not, Immediately
after the announcement, be the object OF all kinds
OF adverse criticisms, IN the hope to prevent his
selection and confirmation, even among my own
friends and those OF the party which elected me-
Many would attempt to change my determination.
huya fbprp dal npf m Epau
even to the gentlemen themselves, the names OF the
Cabinet officers until send their nominations 10
the Senate II should notify the gentlemen at all.
whom may choose, In advance OF their nomina-
tons It would not be more tnan two or three days
previously.
when the General stated that he would as soon
remove from Office those appointed by himself az he
would those appointed by his predecessor, the
faces Of those present who were already in posses
sion OF comfortable ofices interesting 20 behold
The sypyessi6f of pure pe:rs,esxly depicted therein
WAS iiore calculated to excite sympathy Tor them
than commiseration. This was evidently an enIr
matical sentence TO them. and did not furnish any
better clue to the policy that was to govern appoint
ments and removals than existed before. Did he
mean that men now In ONCE need not anticipate
general removal, or did he mean that terrible on
slaught was to he made upon the appointees or his
predecessors That was question Just as far from
solution now as II was q month ago. When he
SAID he had concluded to withhold the OF the
gentlemen he expected to call into his Cabinet until
they were nominated to the Senate Mr. Morton
nodded bis head approvngly several bystanders ex.
changed significant glances, and reporters arrested
the rapid course Of their pencils as though they
were not sure they had heard the cor
rect expression The prevailing feeling por.
trayed IN the surrounding faces seemed to
be that Of disappointment II was very clear
that the work OF investigation and speculation In
regard to the future Cabinet was to be continued
until the white House received its new occupants.
Az soon as General Grant had ceased speaking. and
all were convinced that he had no more to say Mr..
Pruyn stepped forward, and looking at the General
with something OF admiration beaming from his
eyes, said:-
GENERAL GRANT-After the allusion made by sens-
Cor Morgan TO the sentiments OF respect aud conf