New-York tribune., 1881-03-31
TmTHE NATIONAL CAPITAL
.n,co M GENERAL DISCUSSION.

TOPICS OE 0ENGhah
~nxsmKNr aARFIEID's ADVISERS ACTING IN nA"
xoNY-ruf RECENT NoMINATioNs-lhH '1"o'
n,r ovrR THE SENATE OFFICERS.
mha renorts nublished within the last re"
,aavs regarding lack OF harmony Ill 'no e"
met are pronounced exaggerated VI No.
There is no disposition on the part u nii' N-~
Veagh or of Mr.. James to resign: 90
snondent of THE TRIBUNE reviews tne s'Vua'iu" n
as affected by some OF the NOMINATIONS u vu0
president, especially by that OF Judge hCooi'-
ann. 1t is stated that some Repuohcan 0en"-
TORS are becoming disinclined to the prOionga-
sion of the struggle over the Senate oincels'
ABSURD CABINET RUMORS.
- ,oa.purrY OF MR. MACvEAGH REslGNINGF FROM
TUE CABINET OR OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE
N,ur oy WILLIAM E CHANDLER-MR. JAMEsS
POSITIVE DENIAL
IBr TELEeRAPH TO THE TRInUNEl
WASHINGTON, March 30.-The reports wnich nave
o.en published regarding the present phase OF 'ne
onnosition of Attorney-General MacVeagh 10
sbs appointment of Mr.. William 4. Chanuier
AZ Sslicitor-G General have been much EXAGGERATED.
TAe facts in the case so far as they can be ascer
taS.ed from trustworthy sources. are as folows MT
Cbandler's appointment was virtually determined
nnon in the Presidents own mind, it is believed
before Mr.. MacVeagh came in the Cabinet,
and without any application or solicitation
nv Mr.. Chandler to anybody so tar as MI
Chandler was concerned the appointment
was purely q voluntary act on the part Oh
the President who appears never 70 nave
dreamed that it would be disiastefu 10
the Attorney General. But the nomination was
made when Mr.. MacVeagh was absent IN Pennsyi-
yania, and he apparently conceived the ldea InaV
the act if not hostile toward him. was IN some sense
an infringement of his rights in the premises.
No doubt some of his own friends, who had been
disannointed did what they could to stimulate his
dscontent and to impress him with the belief. not
only that he had been wrcnged, but that the
aunointment itself was an Objectionable one'
Hinder the spur of bis own feelings, and further
aroused by the talk Of iDjudlcous friends. Mr. Mac
Veaqh, il is understood. did 60 to the Fresiuent
and in ye:y strong language protest against the ap-
nc;ntment of Mr.. Chandler and request that the
nomination should be withdrawn. 1t is believed
that be went so far as to intimate that unless
this request should be granted he would oaslder II
his duty to retire from the Cabinet.
II is understood that the President explained
Che circumstances under which the appointment
wo, rendered TO Mr.. Chandler. and that it was not
the result of sefseeklng the part of that gentle
man. Under these circumstances the President did
not feel that it would be just to MIR. Chandler to
withdraw the nomination; and it is said that be ex-
uresed a desire that Mr.. MacVeagh should not
resign. 1t is believed that the explanations
of the President and the more cool
and mature reflection on his own part
have considerably Modified the Attorney-General'
40 that the appointment appears less Objectionable
to him now than it did week ago. 1t is entirely
possible that when Mr.. Chandlers appointment Is
confirmed, if confirmed 1t shall be. Mr. MacVeagh
win decide that he and Mr.. Chandler can work to-
gether harmoniousy.
There was a rumor in circulation to-day that the
Presideue had decided to withdraw the nomination
of MIR. Chandler and another that Mr. Chandler had
reonested or would request, the President to do So
Az for the first story, there Is excellent reason
for saving that it is without any foundation
As for the second there is equally GOOD reason Tor
SAVING that under no circumstances which are Kely
To arise Will Mr.. Chandler request that his nomns-
ton be Withdrawn. 1t was made without MS
solicitation and he is entirely willing to let 1t take
liza course in the Senate without any interference on
his part.
Regarding the probable action of the Senate opin-
ions differ Many think that the Southern senators
will be able to bring solid Democratic vote against
the confirmation. But this hardly seems probable.
ifMr. Chandler is thus rejected 1t will be simply
because Southern Democrats believe that he would
as Solicitoreneral do whOt he could to secure the
y1gilant and vigorous enforcement of the laws oil
the United States. His rejection would be con-
fession that the Democrats were bound to insist
that no man determined so to act should be ap-
pointed to that Office But those who know
the President believe that under such circumstance
he would choose, if he could find him, man even
more radical i'll his determination to enforce the
laws vigorously than is Mr. Chandler himself. There
IRE some Democratic Senators who will be shrewC
enonQh to see and wise enough to realiZ'
this fact Besides, they want to stan'
we'll with the Administration. Even /
ali the Democrats should vote in the negative. th
nomination could not be rejected without the aid
at least one Republican Senator There is no reasoI
TO believe that such Senator can be found.
There are reports also to the effect that Postmaster
General James is sorey displeased IN regard L
the conrse of affairs When asked in regard to it to
night he SAID that the story was utterly untrue anc
that the Cabinet was harmonious in all its parts. Ii
regard to the report published this morning. that
wascontemplated to make Mr. James the Collector
New-York and bring Mr. Robertson to washington
a. Postmaster-G General Mr.. James said 1t was the
rst he had heard of It, and characterized tne report
AZ absurd IL ma, be added, that all tax aOou
ths possible Withdrawal OF Judge Robertson, elthe
by Ills own act or that of tho President, IS alik'
absurd and childish. :. ,u..Li-o
ton leaves to-morrow for New-Y0rk upon business
connected with his Department. to be absent sew
sral days.
Tur cIrTr pION Ar THF CAPITAL.