The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-23
ARRANGEMENTS TO SECURE PENNSYLVANIA.
General Grants Estimate Of the Various
Candidates for Nomination.
PHILADELPHIA SATISFIED.
A Modest Coyness Not Unbecoming a
New Appointee.
ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE UNDER AMUSEMENT.

WASHINGTON, May 70, 1876
The President gave genuine surprise to every
body this morning BY the announcement Of the
following Cabinet changes:--
Alphonso r. Taft, OF Ohio, to be Attorney General
J. Mcdonald Cameron, OF Pennsylvania, to be
Becretary OF War, and the appointment OF Edwards
Pierrepont to be Minister to England
There has been a buzz or discussion about
their meaning all day. He has been for some
days talking conidentially with u number OF
influential Western ana Southern politicians, SEN
ators and members Of Congress, and enough has
leaked out In the conversation OF some Of them to
show that General Grant has opened
THE C0NHLISG CAMPAIGN
In earnest. He has discussed with those he has
called to the White House very freely the reasons
why he prefers Mr. Conkling, and has been very
frank in expressing himself opposed to the nom-
nation Of Mr.. Brstow, Mr.. Blaine any other cand-
date except Senator ConklIng. lie is understood to
speak very kindly Of Senator Morton, and some re-
ports state that he has gone far as to say that
II Mr. Morton had good health he would make the
preferable candidate Of ALL But, in the Presidents
ophion
MR.. M0RToN's HEALTH
- such that ne might be disabled in the midst Of his
party and injury to the country.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT DESIRES.
The President has told a number OF innuentIa
persons during the last ten days that he does not
himself desire nomination, and Is determined on
no account to accept It; that he has served the
public for sixteen years, has been abundantly re-
warded and is very tired Of public oce and that he
counts the days until he shall be relieved. lie ex-
presses himself as very anxious for the
SUCCESS or THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
In November, believes that this Is necessary to the
welfare OF the country and thinks In Mr. Conklng's
hands the party would be safe and the country
secure. He says that he will give his strong sup
port to the Cincinnati candidates, whoever they
may be, but he urges the nomination OF Mr. Conkling
In preference to all the other candidates. regarding
him as statesman, as he says, without reproach
and Of great ability, OF great popularity in the
country; and he is understood have said that the
only thing that injure Mr. Conkling or be brought
against him by anybody is that he has SO consIs-
tenty and zeaousy supported General Grants adj
ministration.
THE NOMINATION OF DON CAMERON
70 be Secretary Of War IL regarded here as IN ar
langement to secure the vote OF Pennsylvania in
the Convention to Mr.. Conklng. There were rumors
several weeks ago OF such arrangement as ncces-
sary to secure the Jealous support Of Senator Cam
eron and his followers in Pennsylvania and the GER
tanty with which Mr.. Conkling's friends here have
for five or six weeks, counted on the Pennsylvania
delegation, contrary to the belief OF others, Is
thought to show that the present change has been
for some time In contemplation.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY
begins also to be talked OF, and 1t is believed that
tie President has his preferences In regard to this
oficc. lie is understood to be favoraby disposed to
a nf NOR tsuf NJ
has specially named
MR. N'cREARy, OF IOWA,
and Senator Alcorn, OF Mississippi. 1t is believed
that II the Southern delegates In Convention should
ask for the nomination OF Mr.. Acorn he would have
the Presidents influence In his favor, and this on
the ground that in that case he would be supposed
strong enough to carry several Southern States and
thus make the chances OF republican success
stronger.
THE PLAN or CAMPAIGN
developed or unmasked to-day is an undoubtedly
strong one. 1t evidently means to secure TO Mr..
Conklng, at the opening OF the Cincinnati Convcn-
ton, the votes OF New York, Pennsylvania and all,
nearly all, OF the Southern States. Inc expecta-
ton, probably, is to secure all except Kentucky,
which viii go to Mr.. Bristow, and Delaware, which
has but six votes. II this plan Is successful Mr.
Conkling would thus have 334 votes to begin with,
besides the scattering votes from other States and
there would be little doubt OF his nomination. or
course these votes would not appear on the first
ballot, as probably considerable part OF the South
win want to give Mr.. Morton and Mr.. Blaine
COMPLIMENTARY VOTE.
The influence OF the Presidents Wishes wherever
he makes them positively known among the SOUTH
ern republicans, is very strong-enough in most
cases to overcome their preferences for any other
candidate There IL no doubt that General Grant
himself Is the first choice OF all nearly all OF the
colorcd republican leaders In the South, and or
many OF the whites rs well. Naturally these defer
to his wishes, If he chooses to make them known.
Moreover, he knows how to use
MS SOUTHERN PATRONAGE
to the predomInance OF his wishes, In the
appointment just made OF Mayer to be Marshal In
Alabama which insures Senator Spencer's Jealous
support TO Mr. Conkling IN the Convention, while II
gives the cold shoulder TO the honest part OF the re-
publican party In Alabama, and treats them as
rebels against the regular party organization.
COMMENTS ON THE PRESIDENTS ACTION.
Naturally tho Cabinet changes excite remark not
always favorable. Among the republicans to-day
some OF them say, "The President has begun too
late;" some are indignant at what they call open
favoritsm, but there IL an impression that General
Grant has begun his campaign as he did during the
war; after careful study OF the situation and de-
termination to win.
"Iie Is q hard man to beat,r was said to-day by
one who Is not an adherent Of Conkling II IL odd
that
THE QUESTION or FITNESS
IN the new appointment does not appear to come up
1t all In discussion. The political bearings OF M
Cameron's appointment alone are considered.
SURPRISE EXCITED.
The appointment OF Don Cameron to the war De-
partment excited the surprise here to-day he