Year: 1871

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 1871.
Excircment Among the Po.iticians-Recon-


struction OF President Gran,'s Cabinet.


The announcement OF the contemplated recon-
IN the HERALD to-day, has produced a great sen.
saton here in ocial as well as political circles.
The paper was IN lively demand, and the news
agents soon sound IL impossible to supply all who
wished TO secure a copy. Persons known to be in
the confidence OF the administration admitted that
the facts st forth about the revolution in
the Cabinet correct. Most of the republicans,
who have long the necessity Tor such change.
hailed the announcement with satisfaction. The
democrats seemed little incredulous, for the
son that they do no, accord the President the polt
cal sagarity which woud dictate so wise policy
besides, they evidently see that radical change
IN the Cabinet would add to the strength
OF the republican party, and correspondingly
diminish the chances OF the democracy in
1872 The leading republicans believe that the
President has fairly abandoned the idea OF running
his administration with men who are not politi-
clans, and who have nothing to recommend them
but their personal relations himself. They think
he sees that IN order TO manage party he must
have men around him who have the confidence OF
the party just as in commanding army he must
have corps commanders whom the soldiers Will
follow They therefore regard the proposed changes
in the Cabinet a good for the future of the
party. The general esteem In which the President
is held by the republicans has made them tolerant
OF what has seemed 10 them mistaken policy In
keeping men In his Cabinet councils who have been
able TO do nothing but make promises, which, as
events have shown, they were not able to perform.
There are very few OF what may be termed the
wheel horses OF the party who have not realized
the fact that the President has been surrounded
with men who instead OF feeling the public pulse
and setting before him the condition OF a1airs
have contented themselves with personal admira.
tion OF the man and fair-weather report OF the
situation. As prominent Senator said to night,
the first two years OF Grants administration. but 1t
will not answer for the two years that are to come
sAfter the 4th Of March, sad this same Senator,
"ihere viii be no wothirds majority in Congress
Oh the side Of the administration, and the Presi.
dent must surround himself with men known to
the people, men OF positive political as well as Of
personal influence"


These are the views OF the Presidents most stead
fast friends with regard to changes in the Cabinet


1t s be- aved. too, that the strong men Of the
party al over the country enter ain similar opinions
on the same subjec. The President him selE is un-
dertood to nave looked at matters recently
in this light. He is not by any means
committed to particular set Of men for
Cabinet officers. and his desire to obey the
VIII OF the people in the matter OF having Cabinet
connseliors VINO are acceptable TO them has been
frequently set forth. He probably sees in the
change Of his cabinet opportunity TO give fresh
impetus to the enthusiasm OF the party OF which he
is the leader, and to secure at once for
it and himself a victory in 1872 The Presi-
dent has not actually selected his successors
OF the present Cabinet officers, but certain parties
have been considered In connection with the in.
evlable changes. The retirement OF Mr.. Fish at an
early Gay has been very well understood in Official
and diplomatic circles here. He has remained in
the Cabinet longer than he desired and only at the
Presidents request. He wishes to to private
.hfe and 1t is understood that he con.
templates handing in his resignation in
The spring, even had not the necessities
OF party policy required the appointment OF a
new Secretary of State complete reorganization





the retirement OF Mr.. Fish. lie receives the foreign
representatives in an elegant manner and enter
tans them in splendid style This suits the diplo-
mats. According to the foreign idea good dinners
form an important part IN conducting International
negotiations. According TO the American idea
social Intercourse is very well and necessary In its
way, but banquets are notessental to business.


AS already stated IN the HERALD, Senator Norton
-of Indiana Will doubtless succeed Mr. Fish He IS
known 10 possess the confidence not only OF the
president, with whom he ras been on terms
OF the closeet intimacy but OF the republican
party OF whom he is one OF the ablest
leaders. with Morton's advent in the
State Department The county may look for
rev and more vigorous foreign policy, which VIII
OF course rebound 10 the credit OF he sdminlstra-
fion and tend TO make it more pounlar.


The Interests Of New YORK as the great financial
centre OF the country require that tie Secretary Of
the Treasury should hail nom that state Ii
IS not improbable that General p3easonton
the new Commissioner OF internal Revenue
may be the man 10 succeed Boutwell, as Secretary OF
the Treasury. General Plessanton has comprehen-
sive views Of financial policy calculated to benefit
the commercial and industrial interests OF the
country ana re-estabish confidence among the
whole business community. He ia opposed
10 the system persstenily pursued by
Mr.. Boutwell, OF sacrificing the present