The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-16
ConkIing Accepts the Nomination
for Chief Justice.
The Sore Puzzle Of the Senate Over
the Financial Problem.
Opposition to Sudden Re-
sumption of Specie.
Inordinate Expense of the
Postal Service.
Charlatan Economy in the Naval
Appropriation.

OudIAdCdu GCOuOIuy III Cue NdVdl
Appropriation.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1874.
Conkling Nominated for Chief Justice
and Accepts.
There have been all sorts OF rumors anoat to-
day with regard to the Chief Justiceship. 1t was
asserted that the position would be ten
dered to Judge Curtis, Of Boston, and
that he had been telegraphed to as to whether
he would accept This was generally looked
upon as an excellent way OF disposing OF the
position, which was fast becoming q subject OF
vexation to the republican party. 1t was con-
coded that Curtis would be confirmed without
opposition. There could be no question as to his
ability, as was the case with Williams. and
no points at which to attack him in his
political record. The wonder was expressed
that he was the third choice instead
OF the nrst as 1t was alleged he should have been,
taking into consideration his pre-eminent stand
Ing among the acknowledged leaders OF the bar
and his high reputation as former Associate JUS
tice Of the Supreme Court But a. the time the
Curtis rumor was settled down into almost GER
tainty 1t was followed by another story that
Judge Dillon, OF Iowa, at present
Omitted States Circuit Judge, was the coming
man. and this In turn was displaced bv the name
Geneva arbitration. All Of these rumors are now
dispelled by the fixed fact that the President has
rendered the appointment to Roscoe COnkling,
and he has agreed to accept it. Aside from
the personal good feeling OF the President to
C0nklIng he has been worried and annoyed beyond
measure at the manner In which his nominations
OF Williams and Gushing have been treated by the
Senate. He began to think that he could make
none to suit them, and finally thought that the
best mode OF ending the vexed question was to
take one Of the leading members Of that
body, which he has done. This action
has been q matter Of policy, as the
republican party in the Senate were getting
into wrangle with the President. He had no de-
sire to nnd himself In Johnson's position and con-
Guided to stop the antagonIsm. Conkling has gone
to New York, and it Is generally believed that he
has done SO for the purpose OF making arrange
ments as to the selection OF his successor in the
Senate. With the large party majority In the Sen
ate there can be no doubt OF his confirmation as
Chief Justice.
Conference OF Ex-Attorneys General
Cushing and Black-The Mission to
Spain.
This morning ex-Attorncy General Jeremiah
Black, OF Pennsylvania, called upon Mr.. Cushing
and spent some time in conversation with him.
These eminent gentlemen, both Of whom have held
ment. have for more than quarter OF century
been personal and professional friends. The in
terest OF Judge Black In the nomination of Mr..
cushing induced nm to call this morning to
express his regret over the loss OF so able
jurist at the head of the Supreme
Bench. Mr.. Gushing. while fully approaching the
honor conferred upon him by the President, un-
asked, as 1t was in his nomination as Chief Justice
of the supreme Court of the United STATES, has no
nomination from the Senate except in
the manifest injustice done him in the
construction placed upon his letters written
at the beginning of the war In regard to the
letter to Mr.. Marcy, Mr.. cushing says he has
friend, Mr.. Daniel Marcy OF Portsmouth, N. H.,
and they were in correspondence and mad been for
years. Mr.. Cushing says that they probably ex-
changed views, though he has no recollection OF
the particular letter referred to. Admitting, how.
ever, that ne did write 1t, he says that 1t but
discusses the questions OF the hour and
states that the war was not for devas.
tation or destruction, but for the
preservation OF the Union. Mr.. Cushing
keeps copies OF all his letters and notes. These,
unfortunately, were at Newburyport, and he can
not recall exactly in what part OF his papers they
are, nor did he have time or an opportunity to
refute the misconstruction placed upon the letter
In question. The manner in which the Jenerson
DAVIS letter came to light, 1t appears, was as fol-
lOws:-Judge Adds, OF the Southern Claims Com.
mission, about year since made a thorough exam.
inati0n Of all the papers and documents purchased
through Colonel Picket and those captured at
Richmond, for the purpose of looking up evidence
on the side OF the government in the settlement
OF cotton claims. During these researches Judge
Adds came across the lie tier written by Mr.. Cush
ing to JEFFERSON Davis, introducing Mr.. Roane.
When Mr.. Gushing was nominated to be Chief
Justice Judge Adds remembered this letter, and
looking 1t up had copy made, which he
sent to the Secretary OF War, who in turn
forwarded it to the President. 1t appears that
Sergeant heard Of this letter and secured copy OF
1t. The application of 1t Is certainly no honor to
the Senate, II the rules which usually govern gen.
tlemen in their intercourse have any force there.
: Mr.. Gushing has not yet decided what course
he will pursue IN regard TO the Spanish
mission. AS the President appointed him
against his personal Wishes az his age, profession
and retired habits all make quiet desirable, he WILL
Of course, await the desires Of the President. In
the course of few days Mr.. Gushing Will decide
what steps to take. There is reason to believe
that unless the President should urge the fulfill
ment OF the Spanish mission M Gushing will re-
sign.
The Senate In Sore Puzzle Over the Fi-
nancial Problem-The Fight OF West,
South and East-Abuses Of Contra cts In
the Post Once Department..
In the Senate to-day Mr. Ramsey, from the Com
mittee on Post Of1ces, reported unfavorably the
petition asking that the salary OF letter carriers be
fixed At $1,000 per annum, and the report was
agreed to. Petitions were presented by senators
Sherman, OResby and Hamilton for o commission
to regulate the liquor traf1c. On motion Of Sena-
tor Ramsey the consideration OF the annual Post
Route bill was resumed, and Mr.. Morrill,, OF YER
mont, after weak defence by Mr.. Ramsey Of the
expensiveness OF the postal service, resumed his
course or unresisted home thrusts at
the bad management OF this branch OF
the Post ONCE Department and the
loose manner of making contracts for the carrying
OF the mails. He said the Senate would be called