Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-22
AFFAIRS OF THE NATION.
From Il Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1877.


Your correspondents occupation S
gone. The extra session Of the Sen
ate is oyer and when Congress leaves
Washington there is very little left
of sufficient interest to talk about. -
The capitol is deserted and desolate.
There are no more exciting debates,
nor bulI-dozing investigations, nor
eight to seven tribunals, to make a
sensation or keep public anxiety on
the stretch. Social life has also lost
its splenlor if not its quiet charms,
Crushing receptions and evening par
ties are at an end. The reigning
bellies Of the season, after brilliant
but brief ilutter in the fashionable
whirl, have gone like the members Of
Congress to ming!e again with their
rustic constituents, and thus Wash
ington is suddenly let down from the
height of its winter glory to dreary
dulness. The newspaper correspon-
dent "skip' with the rest in the
grand retreat and Micawber may as
we'll go too, for he may wait in vain
for any thing to turn up.
Before he turns his back on the
capitol, no 2ever, he is glad to say
that the new administration is sailing
forth like a gallant ship on its four
years cruise with all sails spread to
favoring winds. In my last | alluded
to angry manifestations of trouble
and opposition springing up immedl-
ately after the inauguration. But
ths storm soon blew over and there Is
peace and quiet again. Blaine says
he did not mean any mischief. He
attended the very first Presidential
reception anG it was remarked that
none present seemed more cordial
than President Hayes and Senator
Blaine. Gen. Cameron has resigned
his seat in the Senate, but not IN any
huff at the President. The opportu-
nifty was very favorable one for
transferring the Senatorial toga to
h S distinguished Son Donald, the
Legislature of Pennsylvania being al
together friendly to the arrangement,
and so with fathers pride and fond
ness he resigned his seat to make
place for his son. Tomorrow is the
day appointed for Don's election and
SO the Senatorial chair remains in the
family. The young Senator has al
ready publicly avowed his friendship
for the new administration.
The people Of the country, of all
parties, democrats as we'll AS republl-
cans, are manilestiag a hearty con-
tidence in the new admins
tration that is no less surprls-
ing than creditable. There never
was before such political and
personal reaction as the democracy
have shown toward President Hayes.
1t is fine illustration of the rising
up of the country from partisanship
to patriotism, and shows how deeply
an honest and independent act in the
line Of national pacifcation and re-
form takes hold Of the American peo-
pie and etaces party prejudces. There
is every evidence that a new era of
good feeling has really commenced
between all sections of our country,
and it is to be hoped a revival of bust
ness prosperity will speedily follow.
The members Of the Cabinet have ali
been duly sworn into office and Cabi-
net meetings held. The President
has shown that he is in earnest about
civil service reform, and at the first
meeting Of the new Cabinet Messrs
Evarts and Schurz were appointed a
committee to draw up rules in respect
to appointments to office. The new
Secretaries when indicted into their
offices sent thrill of joy into the
hearts of under officials and clerks by
announcing that no changes would be
made of any qualified and reliable in,
cumbent. Mr.. Key, the democratic
Postmaster General, has asked that a
northern republican be made First
Assistant, who shall make all appoint
ments for Northern States, and accor-
dinghy Mr.. 'Tvner, late head Of the
department has been so appointed
This has put quietus upon the growl-
ers at Keys appointment. The first
appointment to Southern P. O. is
q" tbat of Connral 4 r Nouobn ~ ~