The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-07
RumOrs Of Important Cabi-
net Changes.
SECRETARY FISH CERTAIN TO RETIRE
New York State to Furnish
His Successor.
Another Effort to Harmonic the
Party Differences.
George William Curtis Said To Be
the Probable Premier.

WASHINGTON, August O. 1871.
Coming Cabinet Chnp9cs-Mr. Fish To Re-
tire-GeOrge William Curtis Expected 10
Succeed Him.
1t seems to be conceded that Mr. Fish will not re
turn to remain in Washington, and, consequently,
that he will not continue much longer head OF the
state Department. He having vacated his elegant
and hospitabe residence at the capital and retired
for the time being his rural retreat OH the banks
Of the Hudson, taken together with the fact that for
some time past ne has retained The portfolio Of Sec.
rotary of State only in accordance with the well
known wishes OF the President, there appears to be
no longer any doubt that there viii very
soon be a change If not changes in the
Cabinet Indeed as the matter now stands the
position of Secretary OF State may be considered
virtually vacant, Mr.. Fish simply holding over until
his successor is appointed Who that successor
shall be Is now the question to be settled. 1t Is I'M
derstood that New York is the State from which the
new incumbent is to be selected. without losing
sight OF personal qualifications for the position
the chief Cabinet Minister OF the government, 1t IS
deemed desirable that the incoming Secretary OF
State, hailing from New York, should be person
who Is not only sound as 10 his republican prn
clples, but one whose influence would tend to har-
monize the republican factions. The differences
existing between the Fenton and Conkling
cllques In the State OF New YORK is q matter
OF deep concern to persons who are known
as national republicans, and it Is seen that In the
great political campaign Of 1872 the State Will be
hopelessly lost TO the party unless some effectual
means taken to pour oil the troubled waters.
It Is thought that this soothing and satisfactory
suit may be secured in the selection OF new Secre
tary OF state Heretofore when the eventu-
atty Of Mr. Fish's retirement has been
mOOted the names OF several persons.
one OF whom might be his successor,
have been mentioned. Had Mr.. Fish retired at that
time it Is probable that one OF them would have
been appointed, but now another Is suggested.
There is an impression here that George William
Curtis Will soon succeed to the portfolio Of the State
Department. When Mr.. Curtis was here asschair-
man Of the Civil Service Commission ne created
very favorable impression upon all with whom he
came IN contact an impression which subsequently
extended to the President. 1t Is claimed that
the position OF Secretary OF State Is one for which
Mr.. Curtis. by his culture and accomplishments, is
eminently fitted. N Is expected, also, that his per-
sonal influence would be potent III reestablishlng
friendly relations between the two New York Sena-
tors. In view Of all these considerations the i'm
preston prevails that ne will probably be invited to
leave his editorial laDors TO assume the duties OF
| Chief Of the State Department
I Boutwell, und Pleasontog.
| srecal messenger left Washington last night
| from Mr.. Boutwell, for Long Branch. 1t is supposed
the mission has particular reference to the inten-
| lions which prevail concerning the removal OF
| General PleasontOn. The conflict between Bout
well and Pleasonton has become irrepressble.
The Wcstfeld Disastcr-Is Hydrostatic Pres
sure a Reliable TestS
The investigation as to the cause OF the Westfed
disaster interests Treasury officials. and the report
of the examination of witnesses is carefully as
reported In the NEW YORK HERALD. Mr.. q.
W. Taylor, OF tho Treasury Department,
and Chief Clerk OF the Steamboat Inspection Divt-
sion. returned here yesterday bringing with him
evidences OF the explosion Mr.. G. L. Parry, one Of
the oldest members or the Board OF Inspectors, has
written letter to the Secretary Of the Treasury
stating that hydrostatic pressure cannot be relied
upon in the examination of boilers report on
the effect OF hydrOstatic pressure was made several
years since in England in testing the boilers of
railway engines, and proved wholly inefficient
General Belknap, Supervising Inspector General,
has this subject now under consideration, and will,
at the conclusion or the investigation Of the West
field disaster submit his opinions in regard that
| matter.
A British Claim Under the New Treaty.
The first claim against the United States filed
with the British agent in this city under the Treaty
OF Washington Is that OF james Crutchett resident
| OF this District involving a large sum OF money.
| and that our government at the commencement OF
! the late civil war seized his Mount Vernon cane
factory near the railroad depot for military pur-
poses, by which the machinery was rendered use
less and profitable business destroyed besides
other injuries to his property.
Tho Churches In Washington.
The trains which lert Washington to-day were
crowded TO their fullest extent by the parshoners
of the Methodist churches Of this city their way
linn
thei railroad leading to Annapolis, Md, and about
twenty-eight miles distant from here. The pulpits
were depleted OF Methodist talent, and The various
churches OF that denomination were very poorly
attended. At the METROPOLITAN church, where
thousand or more weekly congregatc. hardly nun
drcd were present.
Commissioners Disbursements for the
Revenue service.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has, after mature
consideration, decided that collectors OF customs
are not entitled to commission on disbursements on
account OF the revenue marine The reason for this
Is that all money collected and disbursed on &C
count of that service is in fact, part OF the
toms revenue. and does not properly belong to the
customs tax as collected on imported merchs ndise.
Caution 10 Vessels from Foreign Ports.
The Treasury department has decided that vessels
arriving from foreign ports cannot under any cir
cumstances be permitted to land either passengers
or freight other than at the port designated In the
clearance. 1t appears that vessels engaged in the
frontier trade have been in the habit OF landing both
passengers and freight at points where there was
no Custom House. In this way the customs revenue
has been deprived OF large source OF receipts.
A Patent De cisOn. ar1
In passing upon an application for patent for
sundry improvements in watch manufacture the
Commissioner of Patents yesterday decided that
no party Is entitled as OF right TO in single
patent more than one improvement upon given
article of manufacture unless the several improve.
men,s presented necessarily related to Or con-
| nected with each other in other words, as many
applications must be fled as there are distinct ica-
| lures OF invention.
No Demand for Gold Banks.
The records OF the orce OF the Comptroller oil the
hauc nnnllClIlQQS