Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-12-01
WASHINGTON.
Attorney General Williams to
be Nominated for the
Chief Justiceship.
The PresIdent's Forthcoming
Message.

NEw YoRK, December. LA special
from Washington to the Tribune says
that the President has at last made up
his mind with reference to the Chief JUS
ticeship, and will send to the Senate, to-
day or tomorrow, the name Of Attorney
General Williams for confirmation TO
that high office. There is no doubt but
either General Bristow, of kentucky, or
Edward Pisrpont, Of New York, will sue
coed Williams as Attorney General.
The President called on Williams yes
terday, but the latter says that the sub
iect of Chief Justiceship was not men
toned.
The President has called a special
Cabinet meeting for to-day, al half-past
eleven O'Clock, at which he will read
that portion of his message in relation to
Cuban affairs. The position which the
President has decided upon has not
been made public, and it is believed
that only himself and the Secretary OF
State are aware OF the manner in which
the Virginius affair was to be settled, as
none of the steps in our negotiations
with Spain have been taken without his
approval, and as Spain has practically
admitted our demand, it is presumed
that the President will impart the his
tory Of the negotiations, and announce
his satisfaction with the result, should 1t
be carried out as promised. Whether
he will make any recommendation for
the amelioration of the unhappy condl-
ton of Cuba is not known.
The President devotes considerable
space to discussing finances, and seems
to lean toward free banking. He urges
Congress to give the subject very care
full consideration. He also urges that
some course which promises an early
return of specie payment, be adopted,
il being his belief this course will be
best. The President is very strong
in his language. He cordially approves
the conduct of the Board Of Public
Works, and speaks Of the improvement
of the district in terms of admiration.
He has nothing to say on the postal tel
egraph question, but favors the Post
master Generals idea of postal saw
ings bank. The condition OF Utah IS
referred to by the President, and the
difficulty of administering the laws OF
the United States is the subject OF his
regret. He recommends immediate leg
islation to provide for the selection OF
juries by the United States officers, in
stead of by Territorial sheriffs, who are
MormOns.
He admonishes Congress to be careful
in the investigation of all claims against
the government as q fruitful source OF
evil, aud urgesin the strongest language
that the most rigid economy be enforced
in public appropriations. He does not
renew his recommendations for the sew
eral ship canals spoken of in his last
message, nor does he suggest any i'm
proyements that will cost extravags Mt
amounts. The President has long held
that il would be a wise provision of the
constitution to make it lawful for the
President to approve of such sections of
a bill as he faYors, with the right to veto
other sections. leaving Congress to act
subsequently, if desirable. The Presi-
dents friends claim that if he had pos.
sessed the power he would have approved
of the appropriation bill of the last Con-
gFess, but would have vetoed the back
pay section. The message will contain
the usual resu me Of reports Of heads Of
departments.