The New York herald., 1872-02-12
FORNEY's RESIGNATION
Spanish Slavery and Banks
Expectations.
AMHESTYS CHANCES THIS SESSION.

ThrOugh-Grnnt's Chances-A Fight mt Phila-
delphia-Democracy to Nominate for It's elf.
That 1t Is impossible to look very far into the
political situation Is not mere truism, but TACT
developed by the many anxious conferences of the
democratic leaders, They meet by twos and threes,
cheat themselves in the nope OF cheating the re-
cacitrant republicans and talk in riddles to every
body. The only really general Interchange Of de-
mocratc opinion was at private dinner party last
night given TO the leading democrats in Congress
by picture manufacturer who wants to make the
cartoons Tor the democracy in the next canvass.
He managed to get together such people
as Hendricks, Voornees aud Niback, or In
diana; Cox and Brooks OF new York, and
Others almost as widely known, and the conversa-
tion being informal was less constrained than
usual The trouble that revealed ITSELF even amid
the hiarity was the chronic trouble OF the democ-
racy-namely, the BourDonism OF the party. The
foes OF the 'new departure" doctrine Of last year
and the .passive polcyn of this showed themselves
strong enough to prevent any open expression of
opinion as to the proper course to De adopted, and
all that was agreed upon to wait for the action
OF the recalctrant republicans. These, 1t Is con-
fessed, are growing weaker every day. The slight
est breath or puolcity disheartens them,
and they run back into the republican
fold as soon as they are counted as hos
tile to Grants denomination. Mr.. voorhees, was
able two weeks ago to count on his fingers score
OF republicans in Congress, the heads Of half as
many State or local factions, who were ready TO
break. When the story was told in the HERALD
they scampered back to their party, and almost
every man among them declared tnat he was the
original Grant man. Bingham, of Ohio. had never
thought Oi going astray. Farwell OF Illinois, had
been for Grant first last and all the time. and Blair
and briggs, of Michigan, were only opposed to
Chandler and not to Grant. SO things have been
undergoing o change, though the excitement over
the Treaty Of Washington has not given any
body an opportunity Tor effective work, and
Grants enemies In his own party are hoping
they may be able to defeat HIM at Phila
delphla. Forney's resignation Of his office is
regarded In the light OF detection, and OF the
flrst steps toward the perfectlng Of the policy
Colfax Will probably be the man on whom these dis
contented politicians will unite and 1t is not be-
ueved he would refuse the nomination, II it was
offered to him. 1t 10 said openly tonight that
bitter light is to be made in the Philadelphia Con-
venti0n and 1t certain that all that Is lacking
the courage TO make II.
The democrats expect to be able to define their
own policy within week, and as they are growing
tired waiting for some proof Of strength among the
recalcitrant republicans, 1t now seems likely they
will determine upon Convention and a candidate
or their own. 1t was understood TWO weeks
ago, among the best informed men IN the
senate. that Hendricks was ready to sacrifice him.
self in favor OF some such republican as Trumbull
Gratz Brown Or Judge Davis, and that ne was
coming mere Ostensibly on business, but really to
assist in forming the coalition. Since ne arrived
here II has been almost impossible to get him to
talk politics at all, and 1t is believed he does not
think meany Of his chances or the chances Of his
parry, with himself as its standard bearer, as was
given out. All the mighty movements Of the 'sOre-
head" faction are breaking to pieces and men like
Farnsworth, Trumbull and Schurz VIII soon be left
alone. Schurz Will 60 to the democracy, but where
the others will be found is impossible to predict
this beng piece Of information which even they
could not lmpart.
1t is understood that the President has taken the
first step toward healing the republican feuds in
New York by conveying to Mr.. Alvord Of the As
sembly, his appreciation OF the action OF that gen.
tleman in assisting the vaunted reforms In New
York city. General Sickles during his stay at the
capital, exerted himself strenuously IN favor OF
healing the republican breach and for securing to
both The New York Senators equal recognition ana
confidence.
Forney Safe For Grant and Resigning
Through Excess Of Virtue.
Colonel Forney has written private letter to the
President assuring General Grant of his continued
support and his purpose to do everything in his
power to secure Grants denomination. His retire.
ment from the Collectorship OF the port at Pnila-
delphia was variously construed on It's first an
nOuncemenr, and the freedom which Colonel Forney
seemed so anxiously to desire was believed by the
foes OF the administration to foresnadow opposition
This is not the case Colonel Forney says that the
rings which endeav0ring TO control the city and
State are shielding themselves under the great
name OF the President, and that he may war upon
them more effectively he desires to hold no federal
rrhc rfx
Colonel Forney's resignation and will not do So II
at a till after he has the latter and conferred
with him on the subject
The North Carolina Contested Sepntorship
the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec.
tiOns discussed on Saturday morning at some
length the case Of Mr.. Abbot Of North Carolina
who claims seat IN tine Senate In the place OF MIR.
Vance, disqualified, but no action was taken. The
committee adjourned 10 meet again next Saturday.
when General Ransom, who has recently been
elected Senator from tnat State, Will be heard.
Euba and spanish Slavery Inquiries buried
i'm the Foreign Comsittee-G hanks
and His Expectations.
The inaction OF General Banks as Chairman Of
che House Committee on Foreign Affairs was at
trtbuted to his alleged expectation OF succeeding
Governor Curtin as Minister to Russia. Even re.
solutions OF inquiry are buried In the archives OF
his committee room and 1t is feared the demand for
the publication OF the suppressed dispatches OF
General Sickles and the Consul General at Havana
In relation TO the slave trade and enslavement Of
the coolies In Cuba will not he made unless the
House compels the committee to- report the resolu-
lion. Fear OF Fish and the anti-Cuban lobby is q
great source OF inactivity according to the Cuban
advocates, but Is likely that the case of Banks
aney are not very wide OF the mark
General Banks In view Of the reasons attributed
10 HIM. that he Is anxious to succeed Minister Cur.
lin at 81 Petersburg authorizes positive denial OF
their truth, and says he has no wish to leave this
country am the position he now occupies Why,
tnen, is nor>his work pertormed9
Disc criminaAuG Duties ON Spanish Mer-
c"andise fAom Cuba md Porto Rico.
ane treasury Department has ssuec a circular