The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-11-11
CONTEMPORARIES.
wAsuIxoros, Nou. 2. 1870.

"AShLStTON COhHEoFONDENCE
WASHINGTON, Nou. 2. 1870.
EDrrpR or THE UNION AND JOURNAL,
Dame Rumor has been very busy the past
week, unmaking and making Cabinets In re
gard to the late Secretary VI che Interior, Mr..
Cox, Of whom have said perhaps enough
there seems to be many conflicting reports.
There seems to be, however. q very widespread
opinion that the President and Secretary Cox
were perfectly harmonious in regard to the
great questions Of the day. and that between
them the very best feeling existed. The con-
sentative papers throughout the country. and
am sorry to say. some portion Of the republican
press. have had great deal to say about the
pressure brought to tear upon the President TO
remove Mr.. Cox. and that although Grant de-
sired to retain Mr.. Cox, on account Of his Pc
cular fitness for the-positiou, yet h,d to remove
him by reason Of such pressure. Now, this
plan OF arguing the question, whilst u ID highly
iau.latory Of Mr.. Cox, Is certainly somewhat de-
rpgstory TO President Grant. Who would believe
that Grant would remove Cabinet officer with
whom be WAS well pleased, at the suggestions Of
prominent pOliticiansf Every one that has
| seen the President, or even read about him.
knows better; and when, therefore, such futile
arguments and reasons as these, are put forth.
| Il only shows their weakness. There has been
great deal said about Mr.. Cox, Is being re
former In the administration Of his department,
and throughout the country, the idea seems TO
be very wide spread that the official business
connected with his Office was conducted In .
manner highly superior to any other branch Of
the government. II remains to be seen whether
the present Secretary. Mr.. Dehno, viii not i'm
prove upon his predecessor. II Is true, II II
can be called reform, Mr. Cox, just before re-
firing from his office. issued an order closing
the Interior Department ut three o'clock, Ut
had previously closed at four) this order to 60
into effect the LIST day Of November, the day
when Hon. Mr.. Delano entered upon the duties
Of his Office.
During the period ofMr. CoI's administration
work has been continued until four o'clock, but
when about leaving he forestalls his successor
by issuing this order. Certainly he might have
let Mr.. Delano determine upon the number Of
hours to constitute days work In his depart
ment. ... ...H.n L.|
The President gave complimentary dinner
to Mr.. Delano, to which Mr.. Cox was invited.
but the Ex-Secretary was in n great hurry to
leave the city, and therefore sent his regrets at
his inability to be present upon that occasion.
~
President and Mr.. Cox. then circumstantial evil
dence is certainly below par. II Is said that
there will be quite lumber Of changes in the
Interior department, that Mr.. Wilson, Commits
sioner Of the Land Office. Judge Otto. Assistant
Secretary, and Mr.. Fisher, Commissioner Of
Patents, have been requested to resign-the lat
ter, however, by recent accounts has been re
auested to retain his position. From informa-
Valtahla--aQ Wrifpra IN
clined to the opinion that Mr.. Fisher will leave
the Patent office, by reason Of some existing
difficulties In the management Of his bureau
which cannot be satisfactorily adjusted. His
absence from the city would be, however. agreat
loss, Is he is very benevolent and christian
gentleman, who has exercised very great in
fuence in this city, and one who has been always
ready to assist in every humane work.
II is said that Postmaster General Creswell
viii leave his department some time the coming
winter-tbat there is much dissatisfaction ex-
pressed In regard to the letting OF contracts
that Maryland, and more particularly, B.lti-
more, has by far the lions share. even regard
less Of "lowsst bids" Mr.. Creswell is the can
jidate Cor the United States Senate, and II that
state goes republican. which--as they now have
the negro yote-there is every probability, he
will be elected to ill that Office.
The chivalry Of Pennsylvania has been some
what aroused OF late, at the ignoring Of her
claims to position i'm the Cabinet, and Senator
Cameron has of late been on the "war path"
A great pressure was made 10 secure the In
terror Department. Hon. John w. Forney was
strongly urged for the position, but without sue
cess Mr.. Cameron was quite indignant, and
cried that Pennsylvania has been drag-cart for
the republican party long enough-that whilst
conservative New Jersey and rebel Maryland are
well provided for. the staunch Union State Of
Pennsylvania is left out in the cold.
There has been some talk Of making the In
ternal Revenue Bureau, distinctive depart
ment of the government, and the President fay-
ors the change. If, however, this should be
done. and Mr.. Douglass, as is likely, should
get the appointment Of Commissioner, certainly
Mr.. Porney would not be likely to 60 into the
Post Office Department, for IL would be too
much, for Pennsylvania to have two positions In
the Cabinet. do not think II probable that
such change W i'll be maie, from the fact, that
such prominence given to the Revenue DEPART
ment would indicate that internal taxation was
n settled fact in the future, Of our country. L
do not think there Is much doubt, but what Mr..
Forney will be Postmaster General within few
months, whether Mr.. Creswell Is elected to the
the United States Senate or not, and such an
appointment would be eminently proper rs Mr..
Forney has done as much as any other man to
build up, and preserve the republican party.
Still further, there are rumors Of the retirment
Of Mr.. Fish, from the State Department. Ii is
said that for some months past that Mr.. Fish
has held the position unwillingly, at the earnest
solicitation OF the President, but that he will
retire during the next session.
Public opinion has rapidly undergone q
change within few weeks in regard to the war
in Europe. and the French people have now,
largely, the sympathy Of the people In this Sec
ton VI the country inasmuch rs King William
declared that he warred not against the people,
hut Napoleon; and yet, notwithstanding, the
capture of the Emperor and the downfall Of his
dynasty his army is laundering at the gates OF
Paris. The President has expressed himself
strongly In favor Of the French people, and Is
opposed TO the further prosecution Of the war.
have previously referred to the Memphis III
Paso and Pacific railroad and with the obstacles
II has had to contend. The company was organ
lied with John C. Fremont as President, before
the war, and charter granted by Congress,
giving the said company the right Of way with
out any land grant and ten years to finish the
road, but owing to the war the work could not
be prosecuted, and the company thereby lost its
charter, and although great exertions have been
made ut every session Of Congress an extension
Of time has not been granted.
A new company has recently been organised,
called the Southern Trans Continental Railway
Co., composed Of the most enterpriling men OF
the country, and there is no doubt Of the sue
cess Of this scheme. Texas has granted sixteen
sections per mile Of public land. for distance
Of eight hundred miles through the State, to
this company, and the Senate, almost unani-
mously. at the last session granted charter to
the Memphis & II Paso Co., and there can be
no doubt that the next Congress will do full
justice 10 this great enterprise. The sections Of
country through which this road will pass are
the finest in the world, and no event could trans
pire to develope the mineral and agricultural
resources Of the West as much as this. ....
Our city has been favored with the famous
~ a. A.. Snrxx - ttxI