The New York herald., 1873-12-30

yne entire S400C,0OU. He aid not believe IN ne
gecting any part OF the coast, hut the late war
demonstrated to his satisfaction that earthworks,
well Manned were ugly customers for Meet TO
encounter He cited as Illustrations the defences
| OF Charleston and Fort Fisher. The same thing
could be done along our entire coast and with
| the aid Of the lines OF railroads running to the
| coast any point could be promptly manned and
reinforced. The General thought such places as
| Boston, New York, Philadelphia, the Chesapeake
| Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco should have
more extensive works. as the property to be de-
| Tended was on too large scale to be covered by
| the means which would answer at small seaports.
The General also suggests the division OF the SUBJ
Jects OF appropriation under the general head or
military Establishment" so that the people may
know exactly what the money Is for "Under the
pay OF the army" he remarked, "at least
| $3,000,000 are expended for men and employees
who are not part OF the active force. Among
these are the West Point Ordnance and Engineer
Detachments, general service men-in reality
clerks, clerks OF star departments, &c.n
The Admi nistr alton Fishing for Friends.
1t is understood that the Secretary Of the Treas
ury, in view OF the demand for economy has de-
termined to recommend the suspension OF all work
on public buildings which win throw out OF en-
ployment several thousands OF men. This Will
create a reduction OF the expenses of the govern
ment, and is regarded in part as practical re-
sponse by him to the Congressional desire for the
reduction OF his estimates. Evidences are every
where shown on the part OF the Middle, Western
and Southern States to resist the policy Of the East
on the coming disposition OF the taxation ques-
tion. The differences cannot be reconciliated, and
these three powerful quarters will make Stub
born and, 1t is contended, successul fight on the
issue, leaving Boston's tea harb0r pugnacity in the
shade whole uuestiOn Tn no In the handa
Of New York merchants, whose large capital in
| vested throughout the country is deemed para
mount to policy and government expediency. A
movement is on foot by the friends OF President
Grant to select in various stronghods OF political
| power, influential and worthy democrats who gov
ern public opinion in their neghborhoods, to in
| gratiate them with goodwin toward his admins
traton. His personal friends, fav0rtte oficias and
emissaries earnestly at work in this direction,
and it Is privately understood that this policy is
best calculated to take up strong, disanected ele-
ment, whose regular party influence has not been
| felt heretofore, but which has been coqueting
for recognition by the administration,
while they have been at variance with
| their former associates In the demo-
cratic party proper. This Is agreed upon to
counteract the detection OF orthodox republican
ism; and the President, in his cosmopolitan, easy
going way, has not been unmndul OF 1t In his con-
situations with the political managers, indepen-
| dent Of whom, however, the originality OF 1.-THE
| idea and the credit OF manipulation belong to
himself alone. But evidences here that he has
found enthusiastic response to 1t In every quarter
from which it is argued that his following will be
stronger than heretofore and the compliments OF
Beck, Of Kentucky, on our virginius complications
are pointcdly referred to by those who study the
science OF politics according to the versions Of
Seward ThurlOW Weed and Jerry BlacE
| The appointment Of Brigadier Generals.
Army circles continue to discuss the position OF
the Senate Military Committee In the matter or Gen.
eral Crooks nomination to the vacancy in the list
| OF brgadiers General Sherman states that to in
clude the brigadiers at the head Of star depart
ments, under the provisions OF the law which pro-
hibts any appointments till the number OF that
rank is reduced to six would leave the line OF the
army entirely without that grade OF officers. The
highest grade Of the Adjutant Generals onice
Quartermaster's. Commssary, Surgeon Generals
| Ordnance ana Engineer departments is OF the
| rank Of brigadier general, the same as the
head of a regiment Is colonel; but
they are not, strictly speaking general offlcers-a
| title which applies only to the line. Besides, he
says, the promotions in each are distinct II there
] were a vacancy at the head Of tie Adjutant Gen.
| erals offlce one of the assistants would be pro-
NOTED, and so with the other branches OF the STAFF
In the line the same principle, he thinks, should
| be applied. The advancement OF Crooke to the
vacancy, from the rank OF colonel. was in the
regular line of promotion It would be impossible
to get along without brigadiers, but the General
remarked II the committees Interpretation OF the
law be carried out all the brigadiers Of the line.
of the STAFF also, would have be vacated be-
| fore there could be an appointment.
| The Imprinted Report ON Building and
Labor Contracts.
| The report Of the Committee on Expenditures
on Public Buildings, OF which Mr.. Duel is chairman
| and which has been investigating the manner OF
making contracts for buildings and the employ
ment OF mechanics and laborers by certain govern
ment oficials of the Treasury Department, has noe
| yet been printed resolution to do this will be
offered by member OF the committee, and the
evidence, it is said, will be damaging to the Super
vising Architect especially. The manuscript, care
fully rolled up, has been seen and, in pencil mark,
is written on the back, "Not to be printed Sew
| era large contractors and sub-ofctals are inter-
ested in It's suppression, and the President Is said
| not to look favorably upon the course followed,
causing him, as 1t does, considerable annoyance
and the making OF additional widespread III
| feeling towards his administration.
Absence of Cabinet Omccrs.
| Nearly all the Cabinet members are now absent,
but. with the exception Of Secretary Delano. will
return before New Years Day.
Improvement Of the Postal Department MT
Building.
| The Postmaster General will submit to Congress
plans and estimates for the improve ment OF the
Post ONCE Department building, prepared by Su-
pervising Architect Mulett, together with the rec
ommendation that an appropriation OF 81, 100000
be made to enlarge the building. 1t is said that
unless some addition be MADE it win be necessary
to rent buildings in its neghborhood to accom-
modate all the clerks required Tor the transaction
OF business.
The Republican Spirit OF "Economy, To
BE Tested.
While the hgh-pressure-princlplee economists are
pretending, with virtuous spasms, to be seeking
the reduction Of the national expenses it has been
quietly resolved by the democratic members on the