New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-31
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
SECRETARY BELKNAP's PROSPECTS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON. Monday, Dec. q


WASHINGTON Monday, Dec. 80, 1917.
Among the rumors originating with the kitchen cabinet
ia one that Secretary Belknaps services will not be de-
sired by the President the War Department after the
4h OF March The friendship OF the editor OF the sunday
CAPITAL newspaper for Gen. Belknap Is said 10 nave NOR
tally offended kitchen cabinet which has mortar
quarrel with that paper. everybody connected with IT,
and everybody whom 1t befrends Il is also limited that
Gen. Belknap having taken part the late campaign
has no claim on the Administration and that the Pres
dent Will rive the war budget TO NewYork man as
hardy seems sE possible to has always
been supposed that the successor OF either MI tsh
Mr. Boutwell, will come from New-fork, ana lhat ,le
porians from the Empire State will hardly be SATISFIED
with representation In the War Department
CRASHING BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
It's generally understood in Washington that as coon
as the Board OF Public Works obtain the million and
quarter they ask from Congress to pay the liabilities Oh
the Government on street improvements around the
pubc grounds they will begin 70 agitate for n much
larger sum as a gratuty The current report Is that
they have xed upon five millions as round sum which
they think Congress ought TO be willing 10 vote 10 DC
spent on improving and identifying the seat OF Govern
ment. The million and quarter Is to pay Tor paraguay ia.
Improvements actually made about the properly OF te
Government aud the hye millions they VIII CHIN IN th
oty ought TO have as et 10 reeonpohse t oa ' in
order streets and avenues which the Government hu
ont of width enormously e 40 Ie er
tain this project viii OF course not DC gooa pocy "
mat will br given them when the Deficiency bill passes,
which has < nc through both Houses, but waits concur
renee by the House In the Senates amendments
THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHI
law OF 1892 requires three separate certificates OF
te porsous voted for President and President by
each Electoral College TO be prepared one OF them 10 DC
sent by mail the President OF the Senate another 10
he delivered him by special messenger ana the thrd
deposited with the Judge OF the District In which the
M haa ra1 vdfn
with tho exception OF kentucky, have been received
here by mail Special messengers have arrived FROM all
be States with the exception Of North Carolina, Ohio
Florida California, Oregon and Nevada, bringing their
respective certificates. Tue messengers from Vermont
Indiana Arkansas Minnesota West yfg P,esdsn ="
the Senate deposited their certificates Win tne oce
ay of se 70 await the return OF me h o. d ie
cred in Washington by the first Wednesday III January,
shall send for them the courts where the certificates
are deposited. Any special messenger neglectlng 70
ger from louisiana to-day. brought the certificate OF the
electoral vote Of that State for Grant and Wilson,
MR.. RICHARDSON AND THE TREASURY.
UNsAyoRY RECoLLECrIoNs OF THE 100000
REIssUE-FACTs AND RUMoRs.
lPRoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSB.I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-Rumors are still cur
rent that Judge Richardson Is to be Mr. Boutwes sue
cannot be said to have much support for the position
either among leading politicians or fnancers. His re-
cent wemeanng attempt to relieve strngency In the
money market by the reissue of s5o0Oo OF retired
greenbacks has given rise TO feeling that instead OF
hep0 promoted to the secretaryshp he ought not to re-
main In position where in the absence OF the head or
the Department he exercise such dangerous power
In common with large Of politicians, he appears
10 believe that the Treasury Department should De
kind OF overriding Providence TO regulate the commer
onl monetary affairs of the country, by expanding
or contracting the currency at pleasure, always OF
course. for the eouutry's so0d business have a
great dread of theorists Of this nd and IL the rumored
intention of the President make Mr.. Richardson Sec
rotary is credited, strong pressure will unquesonaoy
be made for the appointment Of some other man who
will have no hobby that will lead him to tinker with the
currency There is thus far reason to believe that
the President changed his ideas about the selection
OF Cabinet Minister'S and the best informed people think
that in filing the vacancies occurring the 4th OF
March he will consult his personal preferences chiefly.
and make public services and peculiar fitness Tor the
places secondary consideration This view finds some
support in the fact that neither Of the three h
far mentioned In connection with the Secrearyship %
the Treasury, Mr.. Drexel OF Philadelphia Mr.. Henry
Clews of NewYork and Assistant Secretary Richardson
can be said be of the stuff OF which the public think
Cabinet Ministers ought to be made.
There good authority for the statement that Secre
tary Boutwell, has determined 10 leave the Treasury
Department the 10th OF February and that his resig
nation TO take effect that day. will soon be placed In
the hands OF the President. There lie good deal Of
speculation as to his motives in waiting until the 4h
of March before res-nng The general opinion appears
to be that he is convinced that his recommendations
financial legislation will not be followed by Con
rrss especially regard % the revival OF the Syndl
cate and he prefers remain In the Cabinet to
witness the Of hIs projects the close or the
That he will he elected 10 the Senate to succeed Mr.
Wilson Is scarcely questioned here Tne report that the
President has already made up hs mind TO put Assistant
Secretary Richardson in Mr. Bout wells place gains
dence day by day and there many persons who
are usually wellnformed TO what Is going at the
White House. who positively that Grant has come
b. this decision, and that has already informed Mr..
Richardson of his coming good fortune.
THE HEAVY ORDNANCE PROBLEM.
ABANDONMENT OF TIE RoDMAN sYsTEM-ACTIoN