Year: 1878

leans Harbor-Levee BlH-Mad. Wells.


Especial to the Democrat.l


WASHINGTON, April 22-The Colectorship
question Is settled at this writing. so far as
the determination OF Hayes himself is con-
cerned. A gentleman who has just had long
interview with him on the subject informs me
that the name OF George L. Smith will be
submitted by Mr.. Hayes to the Cabinet to-
morrow, and unless more strongly antagon-
lied by the members of the Cabinet than now
seems probable, will be sent to the Senate.


The facility with which Hayes changes his
mind on small provocation concerning our
Collectorship is proverblal, and his deter
mination will not do to bet on over night.


But in this case he seems to be more In
earnest than he has been before since Will
hanson was beaten, and Smith has at least
seven chances in ten of the nomination.
Whether he can be confirmed or not is, OF
course an open question, depending largely
upon the action OF Eustis.


Kellogg is said to be committed to Smith,
to the extent at least OF not opposing him ac-
lively, though 1t is doubtful IL he will make
any great exeltions In his behalf. Wells has
been observed to be greatly out OF humor for
the last day or two, and it Is probable that he
isn't pleased with the choice.


Hayes proposes to take advantage of Conk-
ling's late misfortunes to renew the fight over
the New York Custom-House and ex-senator
Fenton, Conkling's bitterest enemy, will soon
be nominated for collector. This may be de-
pended upon to reopen the war between
Conklng and Hayes with bitterness hith-
erto unheard OF, and will probably result in
the Inauguration of the long talked Of move
ment to reopen the questions growing out ol
the electoral count, as outlined in my letter
written last Saturday.


The appropriation which Representative
Acklen succeeded in getting tackled on to the
river and harbor bill for Bayou Lafourche Is
small, only $4,000, but it's real Importance
lies in the recognition of that class of naviga-
BILE waters In Louisiana as necessary subjects
Of improvement.


Lacey will certainly have to move out OF
the District Attorneys office rs soon as the
ColIectorship Is disposed Of Albert Leonard
will probably get the place, out of compliment
to Vice President Wheeler, who has backed
him to the extent of his ability and influence





whose carpetbag antecedents will prove detri
mental to him, particularly If Carpet-bagge'
Smith is made Collector.


Leonard created q very favorable impres
sion on Hayes when he was here.
The decision OF Attorney General Devens
In the lottery case Is made out and will bt
rendered as soon as Postmaster General Key
returns. 1t will be evasive OF the real points
at issue, will avoid the constitutional aspects
of the case and practically leave the whole
matter where it is now, to wit: at the discre
ton of the Postoffice authorities.
The engineers report Of the photographic
survey Of New Orleans harbor, which was
sent to the Commerce Committee of the Sen
| ate to-day, at the request of Senator Eustis
will be made the basis Of request for q
special appropriation to remedy the oversight
in the regular bill. Eustis will probably sue
eeed in getting this put on as an amendment
when the bill comes up In the Senate.
The friends of the levee bill begin to feal
that inability to agree upon the measure may
kill the whole matter for this session. Unless
the commission suggested by Robertson
proves success there will be very little
show


It Is reported on very good authority thai
the Consul Generalship to Mexico is to be Of
fered to Mad Wells BUELL..