Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-07-29
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, July 26, lS7

We are having a remarkable summer-it is
so cool here that we are actually shivering,
and in the evening overcoats are very com
Portable. At this season Washington is gem
orally terribly hot both day and highland
there is little comfort to be had awake or
asleep, but now we are luxuriating in cool
nights and temperate days.
| The city is not as empty as usual, though
nearly all the Cabinet officers are away.
''Long Branchers' and ''Newportcrs" are
shivering and bemoaning their fate.
The political situation looks favorable.
There seems to be a settled conviction that
Gen. Grant will bel renominated in ~, and
there now appears but little doubt that he
will be reelected. His administration no
matter what his enemies may say, has been
grand success. He has inaugurated and sue
cessfully carried out many important reforms.
He has averted by wisdom terrible war with
the mother country. He has settled the ques-
ton of the fisheries. The great public debt
grows rapidly less month by month, enabling
Congress thereby to materially reduce taxa
ton. The Indian policy of the President is
a success, and much bloodshed and money
has been thereby saved. The army has been
reduced to the smallest possible number of
officers and men. And last, but not least. the
Treasury Department has been managed by
Secretary Boutwell, in a mastery manner,
and is now the pillar Of strength in the Gov
eminent. He is calm and confident, though
by no means boastful. The difficulty which
has arisen between him and Gen. Pleasanton,
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, will
probably soon be settled by the removal OF
Pleasanton who stubbornly refuses to resign.
Although the papers have stated many times
that Sectary Boutwell, would resign, and that
Secretary Fish would resign, there is very
little truth and never has been in the reports.
These distinguished statesmen are of too
much consequence as Administration officers
to be allowed to leave the Cabinet, and are
too loyal to their chief to do any thing which
will weaken his influence or power
Secretary Fish, if he were to consult his
own personal inclinations, would certainly
remain in the quiet elegance of his beautiful
home on the Hudson rather than return to
the responsibilities and vexations of active
political life but he feels that it is his duty to
stand by the helm Of State and not desert the
ship until she rides safely through the break
ers and anchors in safe harbor in 1872.
When it is settled who will be the next can
didates for President he will probably resign,
and not till then. This have from the very
best authority.
As far as the other Cabinet officers are
concerned there is no probability that any of
them will leave. They are all able men and
satisfactory to the President and the people.
1t was feared that Attorney General Aker-
man would be compelled to resign on account
of ill health; but am happy to say that he is
very much improved physically. He is fine
lawyer and charming gentleman.
The President is quietly enjoying himself
with his family, at his delightful cottage by
the sea. Occasionally Cabinet officer visits
him to consult on matters of Importance, and
now and then he comes here and holds one
cabinet meeting and is away again the same
day. The sore-heads and democrats pretend to
be shocked that he should travel about the
country 80 much, and that he should not shut
himself up within the square walls of theWhite
house, and give his entire attention to the
business of the country, and think of nothing
else. If you could see the throng of poll
ticians and curious visitors from all over the
country. which beset him while he is here,
you would not wonder that he wants to get
away occasionally where the wicked cease
from troubling and the weary are at rest,
though even to Long Branch the politicians
follow and dog his footsteps. Why the Pres
ident of the United States has no rights which
all men, and women too, without regard to
race or color, are bound to respect we cannot
see. private individual certainly has
right to seek comfort during the heated
weather, amid cooler climes; why not the
President?
1t has been extensively announced that he
and several members of the Cabinet were GO
ing to California this fall but he has been
compelled, owing to the pressure of important
business to give up the trip
1t has been reported that the new National
Loan had been withdrawn. Such is not the
fact. The rumor originated from two causes,
the cutting down of the extensive advertising
and the suspension of printing the bonds
Enough bonds had been completed for the
present probable requirements Of the Govern
ment in filling subscriptions, and as a large
amount can be printed at short notice nov
that everything has hss been got ready, there
is no necessity Of continuing the work faster
than is actually required. But the Loan has