Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-17
CAPITAL GLEANINGS.
ARTHUR BUSY LAYING PIPE.
No Presidential Timber In His CabI-
net-LOOkIDg 10 the Main Chance
Hunt and LOngstreet-Sherma
Prospects for WhiteWaeh-A Fat
Sinecure - The Tariff Reform
MummerY.

WASHINGTON, December 16 John sher-
man, now Senator from Ohio, aud formerly
Secretary Of the Treasury, has been manipu-
lating the wires to secure the selection Of
committee to investigate the Treasury con-
tingent fund that should be in his favor
from the outstart. The best he could do is
shown in the following selection of the
committee of investigation: Senators ALI
SOD, Logan, Hale, Davis West Virginia),
and Cockrell. The first three are Repub-
licans and the last two are Democrats. On
this committee Sherman has friends 10 Hale
and Davis. But Allison. Logan and Cock
rell are ready to knife him II the opportuni-
ty to do so occurs They will see that there
Is full, free and fair investigation, and
will give no quarter. John Sherman, de-
spite his efforts, does not appear to have
pounced into the tolls of the whitewashers.
There is a good deal of talk among Sena.
atoTs and Others interested, that the
conduct of affairs OF the Office Of Sergeant
alarms of the Senate has not been such
that It would commend itself strictly to
pTsc ical economists and honest men. lis
nreely charged that very good thing has
been made out of the Office Th9re Is talk
OF an investigation. II there should be an
investigation there would be the liveliest
developments yet on record.
Unless public pride shall prevent It there
will be an investigation Of the public ex-
penses attendant upon the funeral of the
late President. Large sums of money were
spent out or the House and Senate funds to
defray these expenses, and money was
spent very freely. 1t is charged that much
OF II touched hands that had reteptive
qualities. Unless the funeral differed very
materially from Others where Senate or
House money is spent, the charge of ex.
travagance and the retention OF funds in
certain hands will be certainly sustained If
an Investigation is had.
Tne tariff discussion, which was opened
up in the Senate on the frs, flush, continues
on. 1t will probably run for weeks and
weeks. TIE final result will be a commits.
sion On the subiect-'n fact, that is all that
Is now attempted. Such a commission will.
in its Influence upon final action, amount to
nothing more than the views of the mem
5ers of the commission as they might be
expressed upon the floor OF Congress- After
that cOmmiss sion reports the whole thing
based upon the recommendations made by
II, it viii again be fought over by the Senate
and House. There is not any great faith to
be pinned to any Congressional commits
sion. 1t is very evident that Congress will
do no work until after the recess-that is,
it will really accomplish nothing fnallv
The commencement of the holiday recess
will be about the 21st instant, aud will
probably continue to the 10Th OF January
| Onlg until it is over may any real Congress
sionsl work be expe cted.
ARTHUR LAYING PIPE.
President Arthur has nominated three
members of his Cabinet. He has made
| FOlger Secretary of the Treasury, Freling-
huyseu Secretary of State and Brewster At
| torney General. A glance at these names
will show that there is not a man among
them who has any chance for the Presi
| dency, or who, unless a political earthquake
should occnT, could by any means catch the
! Presidential itch. have it from a
Senator, who has lived with Presi-
dent Arthur since he has been in
! Washington, and who was bis friend when
all others deserted bin, that there will be
no possible Presidential timber in the new
! Cabinet. president Arthur has decided
this" said the Senator. "The President
! don't want men in his Cabinet who think
they have any chance of being made Presi-
| dent, or who think that through a Cabinet
position they may develop such chance.
| No. The history of the last and other
administrations show that such Cabinet
officers breed discord, ard that their pres
eIce daily threatens a Cabinet break at
| some point"
That such is undoubtedly true none can
doubt. But the purpose of President Ar
| thur is not alone in the interest of the Cabi-
! net harmony He is a life size candidate
for another term, and does not propose to
have any members among his immediate
advisers who are not willing to aid HIN in
| that way. In other words, he will not have
any Cabinet officers who have booms of
their own. He will get around him
a strong sCsbiGet, but there will not be In
the whole lot when 1t is complete man
with future political ambition. The poli:i-
cal shrewdness of President Arthur sur
passes that of any other President within
tie recollection of the present generation.
HUNT AND LOEGsTRERT.
Secretary Hunt the other day said to YOUR
correspondent that he would not go back to
the Court OF Claims. He then evidently
bad hopes of remaining in the Cabinet. The
chances now seem decidedly that Hunt will
taks Bancroft Davis place in the Court Of
Cldms.
There is again strong talk OF LoDgstreet's
lDeing made Secretary of the Navy. Both
Republicans and Ger ain Democrats, since
president Arthur said some time ago that
( he would not appoint an exConfederate in
his Cabinet. have been trying to induce him
to put in LoDgstreet, or a representative
| Southern man.