Year: 1871

i dAs


WASHINGTON, Jan. a, 1871.
Moro Cabinet Changes Determined Upon
Secretary Fish TO Resire-Senntor Morton
10 be Secretary of state.


Recent rumors OF Cabinet changes though they
have been premature, have not been without some
foundation. II Is very well understood In certain
circles here that there win be reconstruction or
the CABINET before the next spring roses begin to
bloom. The story Is again revived that Secre-
fary Fish viii at no distant day retire
from the State Department, and this time
there seems TO be some senlblance Of
lrutn in 1T. Mr.. Fish is thoroughly weared of pub
lie place. He longs for the quiet and repose OF pr-
yate life, from which he came only at the urgent
request of President Grant. During his occupancy
OF the state Department his career has been any
thing but successful not to say brilliant. This Is
fact admitted by his best friends. He has accom-
plisned literally norhng, except to make the foreign
policy OF the administration weak and unpopular
Even his friends admit the fact that single thing
he has attempted has been carried to successful
cusIon. The Alabama claims, the Cuba business,
the fishery question all in about the same posi-
tion as Mr.. Fish found them when he came into the
State Department. Mr.. Fish will of course retire
Voluntarily, still possessing the confidence OF the



probably about the beginning OF March. His family
that this viii be their last winter here ana
they are making arrangements to move away from
Washington IN the spring. II is generally under
stood here that Senator Morton, Of Indiana, the
Presidents right hand man and confidential adj
wiser outside of the Cabinet will be Mr.. Fsh's sue
cessor. BY the time Mr.. Fish retires the present
democratic Legislature OF Indiana win have ad-
journed sine die. 1t does not meet again
until the winter Of 1918, BY which tlpe
new Legislature will have been elected, and
Mr.. Morton thinks it will be republican. AT all
events the objection which had so great weight
with him when he was appointed Minister to Eng
land-to wit, that II he accepted, his place in the
Senate wopla be dllea4hy . democrat-will not hold
good after the present Legislature adjourns. The
Governor of Indiana VIII then be at liberty to ap-
point Mr. Morton's successor and, being republ.
can, he Will appoint man of that political
faith Should Mr.. Morton be appointed Secretary OF
State it is likely that the whole foreign policy Of
the administration will be changed. He is man OF
great vgor OF thought and energy Of action, and
VIII rest satisfied with the easy sipshod policy
which Fish has pursued. Besides making the foreign
policy Of the administration popular with the people,
MIR. Morton will have reputation to make for
himself as Grants Prime Minister. 1t Will be re-
membered that he was In favor of the Cubans
n.
Fish for some show OF recognition. SO far as is
known he has not changed hls views on tnat SUBJ
ject. He is also in favor Of vigorous policy
towards Great Britain about the settlement OF the
Alabama claims, the fishery question, and other
points OF difference between this country and
England. As Is well known, he Is thought in
accord with the President on the subject OF acqur-
ing q strong foothold in the West Indies. He is
altogether perhaps the most practicable statesman
in Congress, o fact which Grant has not been slow
to discover and his presence In the Cabinet would
give fresh courage to the republicans and place the
administration in better position before the coun-
try than 1t occupies at present.


sop for the Pacific Slopers-Senator Will


liams 10 BE Attorney General.


number OF prominent republicans from the Pa
cifc coast, including Representatives from Califor
MA. oregon Nevada Montana, New Mexico and
Arlzena, have formed a combination to push Sena-
tor Williams. of Oregon, into the Cabinet. They
addressed letter to the President to-day asking
when 1t would be convenient for HIM to give them
an interview. They received q reply this afternoon
stating that the President would see them to- morrow
at twelve O'Clock. Notwithstanding the fact that
the Pacific slope has gone to the democracy the
repubncans Of that section feel that Senator VII.
liams is entitled to some recognition bv
the administration on account Of his d,stin





country during hts Senatorial career. 1t seems to
he well understood here that before the close OF the
present Congress Attorney General Akerman win
voluntarily retire from the Cabinet for the purpose
Of ofdevstng himself to the congenial pursuit OF
the practice OF his profession in Georgia. When this
occurs the republicans Of the Pacinc coast are
anxious that Senator Williams shall be Akermans
successor in the Cabinet. This win be the subject
OF their interview with the President tomorrow.
1t is understood that the President has already
spoken OF Senator Williams favorably in
connection with some prominent appointment
after the expiration OF his Senatorial term Last
summer, when General Cox retired from the Interior
Department and some OF Senator Williams friends
urged his appointment to that position the Pres,.
dent replied that he would make provision for HIM
when the proper time arrived, meaning before he
left the Senate. The ability Of Senator Williams Is
lawyer has been long recognized by his fellow
Senator'S ana II peculiarly fits him for the position
OF Attorney General He Is the author OF some OF
the most important measures enacted since
the close OF the rebellion. He drew and
advocated successfully the bill for the more efficient
government OF the States lately In rebellion better
known as the Military Reconstruction bill. He is
the author too of the famous Tenure Of once bill.
and had good de9l to do with the Civil Rights bill
and kindred measures OF national Importance 1t is
hardly to be expected that the President will COM
INIT himself 10 the Pacific Coast delegation when
They cali upon him tomorrow but 1t believed that
when Akerman goes out Williams win be his sue
cessor.


Tho New Jersey Senatorship.


The probable successor of Nj. Cattell as Senator
from New Jersey II subject OF considerable CONVEX
saticn here. Mr. Cornelius Walsh and Mr. Freder-
lex I. Frelingnuysen are the two most prominent
caQdldateA with reference to statements TO the