Middletown transcript., 1877-04-21
Washington Letter.
The President Selected a Leader for the 0ppo-
sition-Louisiana Affairs-Arlingt gton-The
Speakership-Pe Personal, etc.

The President Selected Leader for the .Oppo-
sition-Louisiana Affairs-Arlington-
Speakership-Per etc.
WAsHEeToE, D. c.; April is, 1877.
It is unfortunate for tho Republican
opposition Of Hayes, and correspond
dingly to the advantage Of that lucky
gentleman that those politicians who
have first attacked bis Southern policy
are men Of stained reputation, like
Blaine, or mere buffoons, like Martin
Townsend, or impracticable men like
Wade. Any one Of these men, at a
time like this, is source Of weakness.
They have certain amount Of strength,
but when the purest character and the
greatest practical ability are required,
they fail signally.
Hayes was picked up at Cincinnati
to beat Blaine with, for the reason that
one had never been accused of stealing
anything, and the other had one was
regarded as safe man, and the other
was not one had the enmity Of all the
leaders, and the other had no enemies.
The party may wish to punish the
man il then selected, but it is not likely
it will unite to do so under the leader
ship Of the man then repudiated. In
deed, ii has been said that Mr.. Hayes,
knowing that his Southern policy must
make him enemies, judiciously Sc
lected them himself BY offending them
in bis Cabinet appointments. So far as
active opposition has shown itself among
politicians, bis choice seems to have been
d wise one.
The indications now (Tuesday) are
that Packard will tstick !" that the
Commission will fail to present an ac-
ceptable compromise ID the Louisiana
matter, and that the President will not
permit the troops to sustain Packard
after this week.
It being almost certain that the U
s. Courts will restore Gen. Lees es-
tate (Arlington) to bis representatives,,
D proposition will be submitted to Con-
gress-perhaps at the extra session in
June-to retain by purchase that por-
tion Of it which is occupied as Ma
tional Cemetery, and in which the SOL
dier dead Of all the Northern States are
buried. The spot is in itself beautiful,
and is made more SO from year to year
BY the government, and by friends Of
those who there sleep their last sleep
The instincts Of common humanity
protest against any violation Of tile sane
tity Of such place, and no doubt the
to set it apart permanently
az a cemetery will come from some one
who during the war did not "wear the
blue"
The Russian Grand Dukes are ex-
pected here to-day on visit to the
President. When Alexis was in this
a few years since, be did not
visit the Capital. owing to troubles be-
tween the State Department and Minis
ter Catacazy.
To few newspaper men the Presi-
dent has habit Of speaking freely Of
bis intentions. One Of them is cores
pondent of the Philadelphia Press
This must not be taken to indicate a
lesire to capture Col Forney. proprie-
.or Of that paper, as be is understood to
be committed to The opposition. But
he Colonel is not now power in poll
les as Of yore.
It may be set down as among the
,ertainties that not one democrat will |
Fail to vote for democratic Speaker at
he organization Of the House Of Rep |
They have all been com
nunicated with on the subject 1t is
most likely Garfield will be the Repub-
lean candidate. He will be more likely
han any other man to get the full Re-
publican vote
The prospects Of genuine reform 10
,ivil service are not considered as good
d they were. What has been done 10
he merely local Offices here has not
,een in that direction-plaees being
made vacant without charges against
be dismissed, and filed without any ex-
Of the new appointees The
onviction is becoming general that the
fices will be held to be the proper
'lunder Of the supporters Of the Ad-
ninistration. RENO.