Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-03-17
Washington City Gossip.

, Speaker Blame seems to be modelling hi:
, appointments ID manner similar to the
method adopted by the President. In ma
king up his committees he evinces dispo
sition to select those members possessing the
best qualifications 1t is not merely a num-
Der OF rewards for services supposed to have
been rendered that Mr.. Blaine is distribu
ting. He is evidently celebrating who Of
all those at his disposal are best calculated
to render service to the country, and acquit
themselves creditably. The two things are
entirely different, and the last is certainly
the most difficult 70 determine, but Mr. Blaine
is undoubtedly on the right track.
The readiness with which the new Secre-
tary of the Navy enters upon the duties of
his office is an earnest of eficit Mt business
management throughout. There is need III
his department for an infusion of energy.
1t will require as constant stretch of atten-
tion to work the naval interests upon peace
asis as at any other time. The ability re-
quired to save from wreck the perishable
machinery that makes up navy is as great
|
Some of the sayings attributed to the
| President are to be received with several
grains oe caution. but the following is so
characteristic that we accept it as genuine.
Conversing with gentleman concerning the
character Of those he desired TO employ in
the various departments, the President is
reported to have said, Il shall not tolerate
any idlers; the people are too poor to pay
| salaries as mere bonus to professional pol
iticians. 1t is sentences ike these that
lead the people to repose the utmost faith
In the Presidents purposes. These pithy
sayings cause extraordinary agitation among
the barnacles, many of whom prefer to make
II movement ON their own behalf rather than
run the risk of being bruised by the thorugh
scraping off process they foresee.
| 1t is scandalous fact that when Elk Pres
ident johnson left the White House he car
| rled off all the official records, so that there
was not even the form of an appointment
lett. The motives which prompted such
action are unrevealed.
President Grant has requested the Society
of Friends to furnish him list of persons
they can recommend for Indian Agents
This is truly a novel beginning, and a revo
luton as complete as was ever seen in any
department of the Government. From the
days of yore to the present time. Indian
Agents have, as a general thing, been licen-
sed thieves; and this class of public servants
and the rings tbay rapracapt uiu No do,,bt
be intensely disgusted with Grant for con-
sulting Quakers. Truly, things are changing
Senator Sumner entertains some fear that
our foreign relations will not continue very
long as pleasant as they are just now. 1t is
known that the revolutionary government
in Cuba will soon send an envoy here to de-
mand the same recognition of them that
Spain extended to the rebels during the war
and it is believed that President Grant will
accord it to them forthwith.
Under the new army regulations the off
GERS from the various fields are turning to-
ward Washington. Ere week has passed
Grant will have met the greater number of
those who shared with him the hardships.
| and honors of active war. They no longer
consult with the General but in the Presi-
dent they recognize him, receive from him
the same inspiration as in battle, and go
forth with fresh resolves to the departments
assigned them
a strong party exists in the Colombian
Congress against the ratification of the Da
rien canal treaty. The arguments which are
to be used against the measure amount to
but little more than prejudices and iealousies.
The former arise from ignorance of the in
tentions of those who projected the enter
prise, while the latter are founded upon the
belief that franchises have been parted with
which might as well have Injured to the ben
eft of the Republic That the grants to
cheaply, is no reason why those extended to
the canal should be grudgingly withheld If
the present Congress choose to reflect upon
the wisdom of former ones, it will. of course.
listen to the malcontents. But it will hardly
commit so fatal mistake. Its true policy
Is to wait patiently for the action of our own
Government, and be guided in the matter
by 1t. The end will warrant the delay. for
canal will give greater impetus to develop
ment than the Republic can hope to acquire
for years by any other means
a CURIOUS LAW SUIT.-A ''cat case has |
just terminated in the Baltimore courts. The |
plaintiff was the owner of valuable cat of
the Maltese breed, which had been missing
for about four months The cat was dis |