The New York herald., 1872-10-22
Cuban AntpathieS and SympathieS in
Official Quarters.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION
Preparing for the Next Con-
gressional Session.
Balm of Gilead to Ala.
bama Claimants.
UTAH'S INDIANS PEACEFUL.

WASHINGTON, Oct. a. 1872.
The President and tho Houard Case
Cuban Affairs In Government Circles.
On the 23d OF last December the President re-
ceived an appealing letter from Mrs. Dutton, the
sister Of Dr, Houard then imprisoned in Cuba, and
referred to Secretary Fish with the following au
t0graphic endorsement:-
hope the Spanish government will give Or.
already iniicted upon American citizens have
Cuba to such degree that the people are scarcely
longer capable OF Judging impartialy In matters
between Spanish and American citizens. Mr.. Rob-
erts must see this himself and the danger to his
government unless more moderation s shown:
U. y. GRANT.
The President certainly intended Sehor Roberts.
then Spanish Minister at Washington, should see
this endorsement; but 1t was carefully kept from
his view by the State Department, and through the
personal entreaty Of Mr. Fish, who made hasty
trip to the White House for the purpose. The
President, at later date, was turned from his
purpose OF publishing his opinion on Cuban mat
ters by sending the endorsement to Congress with
the rest OF the correspondence on the
Houard case called for by the resolution
of the House, and was thus left In false position
before the country as to his attitude on the ques-
ton then at issue with Spain. The gradual dis
closure of the bold personal stand taken by the
most obsequlous to Spain and dssatsfying to the
country has induced some Of the more sanguine
partisans OF Cuban independence to hope that
the President might find occasion, in the
continued inability of the Spanish govern
ment to crush the inSurrectiOn for
taking in his forthcoming message more
advanced ground he did year ago in speaking to
the American people with respect to the frutless
devastation going on in their immediate neighbor-
hood 1t will be remembered that in his last an
nual message the President said that the existence
ofa protracted struggle in such close proximity to
our own territory without the prospect OF an early
termination was matter OF concern to our people,
who desire to see every country in the enjoyment
of peace and liberty. After assuring Congress that
our naval commanders had been instructed to pro-
tect American life and property and maintain the
dignity Of our flag, he closed with the hope that
pending questions with Spain might be adjusted in
spirit Of peace and conclliation.
1t was freely remarked at the time that neither
style nor sentiment was typical Of the President
and when the substance OF his endorse
ment OF Mrs. Dutton's letter. month
later, began to circulate among Cuban SYM
pathzers in Congress- 1t was perceived with
bitterness that the only line OF policy consistent
with the dignity OF our government at the time had
been sacrificed to the exigencies of the State De-
ii
Cuba this time will say what he thinks in his own
way, regardless OF what Mr. Fish may have to urge In
modification, there is probability that the hopes
OF Cuban sympathzers and partsans will be real
ized. The feeling against Spain has unquestion-
ably abated materially in government circles since
the settlement OF the H0uard case and the recall
OF Valmaseda from Cuba while the mismanage-
ment OF Cuban interests in this country, apart
from the apparent sincerity of the existing Spanish
government in its efforts and promises concerning
REFORM have largely alienated sympathy and inter-
est from the insurrection.
Getting Ready for the Short Session of
Congrcss-The Appropriation Bills.
General Garfield, chairman OF the Committee on
Appropriations, has been making circuit OF the de-
partments to push forward the preparation OF est.
mates for the next fiscal year. He expects to get
advanced sheets of the estimate book by November
10, and has issued call for the committee to meet
on that day, with the intention Of having the bills
all ready to report at the beginning Of the session
The session lasts only twelve weeks OF which halt
must be given to appropriation bills.
The Committee OF Elections, which Is privileged
committee, wants great deal Of time, and there
many bills made special orders for specified
days. As all unfinished legislation dies on the 4th
OF March next persistent efforts Will be made to
put through the special interests which have made
any progress at all
No dubious appropriations are to be re-
ported by the committee, nor any corrupt or
weak measures to be allowed to be put on riders
to general appropriation acts. Movements have
already begun Tor raising salaries; but the CON-
mittee will insist that salaries shall be fixed by
specific law and not increased piecemeal In appro-
priaton bills. The brevity OF the will pre-
vent any change In tarin or internal tax legisla-
tion, except some simplincation and retrenchment
in the mode OF collecting internal taxes.
Soothing Balsam for Impatient Alabama
Claimants.
1t is ascertained from inquiries received here
that some Of the Alabama claimants are fearful OF
sharing the fate Of the French spoliation Claimants
whose claims against France we're used many years
ago by our government to balance accounts with
the government Of that country, and the claimants
left from that time to the present without any COM
pensation. The two cases are, however, SO differ
ent that all such fears are groundless. The govern
ment here recognizes the fact that in the transac
tions attending the settlement OF the Alabama
claims the United States acted in o trust
capacity, and are bound BY fair construction
OF the Treaty OF washington to account to the
claimants for the proceeds OF the Geneva award.
No doubt whatever Is entertained at the State
Department that Congress will promptly provide
for the disbursement OF the money to be paid by
England and, as already mentioned In these
dispatches commission TO sit at washington and
adjust the claims on oral testimony, or upon depos
tions taken under rules to be prescribed by the
commission, will be established shortly after Con-
gress shall meet. There is no disposition any
where, so far leading men In Congress have
been heard from, to delay or evade the payment OF
these claims As the Secretary OF State makes no
general annua, report. the President will make the
necessary recommendations in hts Message.
The s44,0OO,O00 Legal Tender Reserve
Not 10 Ne Rcissued-The Financial
Policy Not 20 BE Changed.
II Is stated at the Treasury Department that the
policy OF Mr. Boutwell, is not to issue one dollar Of
the si4cooOoo reserve, although 1t has been decided
that he has right SO TO do II he chooses. Leading
New York bankers have entered their protest