The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-26
Washington Letter.
wAsmseros, d.. April2o, 1877.


The administration Republicans are
no little annoyed by the refusal of the
Packard faction to acceptthe PROPOSE
ton submitted by the Commission"
yesterday, and the apparent determin-
alton not to submit to the bidding of
"the Presidents" agents. There was
general admission among the Cabi-
net that the crowd headed by War
mouth, complicated matters somewhat
but would make Packard's fall the
heavier in the end. The talk of the
politicians here was loud upon the sit
uation, According to some Of the Rad
icals, Yarmouth has been "seen" by
Packard, and his course yesterday was
the result of the free use of money,
Others see in the affair merely stock
jobbers' trick. Packard intends to
hold out in the expectation of forcing
Hayes to decide between himself and
Gov. Nichols, 1t is believed that the
" President" is not to be deferred from
Withdrawing the troops by the defiant
attitude of Packard, but will rather act
with more promptness, and relieve the
people of Louisiana from further sus-
pense. t"sis'
KENTUCKY OFFICES, es
Radical politicians seem to be deter
mined TO retain foothold in kentucky
if possible. Two weeks ago lthey lost
the Kentucky Custom House, which
Grant gave them for eight years, and
now they have selected a Kentuckian
who suits them, and are urging Judge
Devens to make him u. S, District At
torney at Louisville, Ky. They don't
think the Judge will he able to see
through the game they are playing.
The name of this lucky Kentnckian
has not yet been disclosed.
THE RUSSIAN VISITORS.
The Grand Duke Alexis and several
officers of the Russian fleet arrived
here on Tuesday, from New York, and
called on the Russian Minister whose
guests they are. When Alexis called
on Grant some years ago there was a
serious disagreement between Minister
Catacazy and Secretary Fish. which
led to the formers recall, and Mr.. Cat
Alexis to the White House, but was
not permitted to take part in the con-
versatiOn. This, of course, rendered
the occasion rather stiff Que. Alexis
never called on Grant again. But now
after Grants retirement to private life,
and there is another hand at the helm
of our National bark, the Grand Duke
can visit the White House, receive and
accept an invitation to State dinner,
as an apology for past want of cour-
tesy to the great Russian Bear. This
diplomatic dinner, given last night,
was attended by all the notabilities of
foreign courts as we'll as those promi-
nent in National affairs here, SO plates
being laid. 1t being given in honor of
Duke Alexis, who, together with his
suite attracted considerable attention
on account of his fine physical, as well
as the grandness of his uniform. The
President" and Mrs. Hayes received
the company and dinner was served as
usual, in the state dining room, which
was superbly decorated with flowers.
All passed off as merry as a marriage
bell, and the distinguished guests de-
parted at 1920 p. m., the remainder of
the company dispersed soon afterward.
THE PRINTING BUREAU.
The dismissals from this department.
of the Treasury yesterday afternoon
was the theme of great conversation
throughout the city, and as was to have
been expected many of the unfortu-
nate neOp.e have already commenced |
a siege upon the officials for reinstate-
ment. Secretary Sherman says he
never suffered more pain in his life
than he did in the recent discharge of
employees, many of whom are poor and |
needy, but the public work having SO
vastly decreased, the number of em-
ployes must be cut down to fair work
ing basis, and kept so. The scenes in
the Treasury were very affecting as the
death roll was read to the unfortunate
recipients of discharge. Many were
so affected as to be unable to sign their
names to the receipts for their months
wages. A poor widow who had lost
husband, brother and father in the late
war, signed her name bravely, but as
she passed down the room her pent up
grief became uncomfortable, and with
tears streaming down her, face, she
wrung her hands and cried, This,
then, is my reward for all j have sac
Many who exhibited little
Went out to starvation for
themselves and families, and with pale
faces and compressed lips seemed To
have made up their minds to die now
that the scanty pittance which had
kept the wolf from the door had been
swept away. Such sad sights as yes
terday gave us, arouse not only Our
pity but our indignation, in the knowl-
edge that favoriteism retained scores
Of wealthy persons, those with houses
and lots and money at interest, while
turning the widow and orphans out to
die just because they lack influence
The Treasury has ever been combi-
nation of rags and silk, the rich and
the poverty y-stricken, and when the
death roll is read, as it was yesterday
it does not fail to name the beggar.
- God help the poor," in troubled
times. f7
POLITICAL SQUIBBING.
F." Oldman- -afraid tO-go-home,' is the
way they designate Senator Patterson
Of South Carolina here. The States
nanC?) who is shouting that the war
has been fought in vain is usually one
who didn't get the Post-ofiice, aud this
belligerent who accept.
ed the Hampton situation, and then
he didn't, and afterwards did and
lidn't, again proposes now to do or
not to do just as the case may be. He
has no interest at stake in that unfor-