Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-11

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 7th, 1877
Messrs Eddors:-Now that the troops have
been ordered to be withdrawn from the State
House at Columbia, and the Louisiana Commission
have got fairly at work, there is nothing to do but
await the result.
THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
are all very busy just now, and the chiefs are at
work on reforms and the accumulated current
business. Postmaster General Key is determined
to put a stop to the favoritism which has been
heretofore shown to various contractors in his de-
partment, and will compel all contractors to keep
theii obligations faithfully. The fact has been
impressed upon the minds Of all bidders for con-
tracts in this department that no work will be ac-
cepted which is not fully up to the standard fixed
at the time the contract is awarded By this rule
all manufacturers will have an equal chance to
compete for government work. Another encour-
aging sign that the new Postmaster General is
bound to do equal justice to all, Is found In the
fact that he is making appointments on merit and
replacing many who have been given offices
through favoritsm alone, putting back those
who were wrongfully displaced Two appoint
ments have Just been made in Kentucky of more
than ordinary significance special agent of
the post-ofilce department was peremptorily dis
missed soon after the Cincinnati convention by
order Of President Grant, and the only reason
given that he was a friend OF Secretary Bris-
tow. He was the first Of a considerable number
OF excellent officers who were removed solely for
that reason. Mr. Key satisfied himself that the
man was faithful and efficient officer, and then
ordered his reinstatement Secretary Sherman
has commenced to follow up the reforms in his
department SO successfully inaugurated by Cen
eral Bristow, and will push the whiskey prosecu-
tions, which have lately been allowed to lag to
trial ut once The administration IL in full ac-
cord with this work. Secretary Sherman has just
made the appointment Of prominent Brstow
man as surveyor of customs at Louisville, which
is considered not only as meritorous appoint
ment but as compliment to Brstow who il, by
the way, beginning to receive in one way and
another some Of the credit from the high officials
of the government which RICH fully belongs to him
Secretary Schurz has issued civil service rules
for the Interior Department which meet with uni
versal favor here, and when put into operation
cannot fail to be of great benefit to the department
In his official correspondence with prominent
educators of the South, the commissioner of edu-
cation has recently received many assurances that
a better spirit is prevailing in that region Men
who have been engaged in the work of general
education, and who have heretofore failed to have
the sympathy or support of the people among
whom they have labored, write that they can
already discover change for the better, and uni
versally attribute it to the beneficial effects of
THE PRESIDENTS SOUTHERN POLICY.
They predict that II the Southern question can
only be eliminated from Southern politics. a
greater interest will be shown in general educa-
tional matters than at any time since the war
The determination Of the President to guard the
government against the approach Of absolutsm,
and to protect the states in their original rights
under the constitution is supported by the peo-
pie of the country Consequently it is too much
to believe that such course will be frustrated by
the sinister designs of selfish demagogues sup
ported by following of partisan dupes. The
question has resolved itself practically into a con-
test between the good and the bad the intelligent
and the ignorant. Those who take sides against
the reformation involved in the Presidents pur-
pose will, sooner or later, learn that they have
brought reproach upon themselves and the party
they represent. 1t is immateral what may be
thought by the extremists of both parties. If the
northern indictments Of the Republican party
shall Join hands with the implacables of the de-
mocracy, they will be happily met. But they will
not have entered the democratic camp before its
better material will have united with the admin
istration in support OF the principles which COM
mend themselves to all patriots and constrain
their cooperation. If course of government
which sinks all party considerations and looks only
the interests of the country ia not supported by
the people without regard to party lines, the
prospect of better times or the permanency of II
free government must be faint indeed For the
present the result cannot be forecast further than
| il justified by reliance on the popular impulse
| now manifested everywhere If that can be the
| criterion, all is well.
The situation in South Carolina may yet be
| proftaby studied, although the result is practi-
| cally reached and the future looks peaceful.
GOVERNOR cHAMBERLAIN's CLAIM
| to an election is based upon the exclusion from
the canvass of the votes cast for Governor which
we're poled in Edgefield and laurens counties,
| which votes however, were all canvassed and
'ounted for the Presidential electors Being adj
nited as valid for the electors, they must be
| leemed valid for the gubernatorial candidates
| advancing upon the theory that the Chamberlain
| legislature is the only legitimate body, and adj
| hitting the existence of snch dispute over the
iovernorship as involves the question Of title to
the office, the Chamberlain party now insist that
they will contest the matter upon the basis of the
| constitution, which provides that the returns of
all the votes cast for Governor shall be made to
the legislature OF the state which shall thereupon
declare the result If the two houses fail to
| agree, then there shall be new election, and
| Chamberlain holds over as Governor. The Cham
berain party now show disposition to oppose
| iIamptons possession of the State House, and it
| remains to be seen what the next few days will
| develop.
As to the question Of the Senatorship, it will
probably be held by the party in power that
neither Corbin nor Butler are elected, and on the
converting of the legislature, sometime in May, a
new election will doubtless be held
| THE LOUISIANA QUESTION
| is liable to be solved within the next fortnight,
Judging by the progress already made by the
Commission, and the numerous facts bearing
upon the case which are constantly developing.
| According to the latest reports, Packard is not
collecting adollar of taxes, while Nichols is maxi
ing collections as IL he were undisputedly the
| Governor. 1t ia stated moreover, that there is
now movement among the Republicans OPP
| posed to Packard, to organize Hayes party, and
that at private meeting held in New Orleans
Wednesday night, there were present in the gath
ering two former Republican members OF Com
gress and a president of one OF the city banks
This movement is held to threaten a still further
disintegration OF the Packard forces. The dispo-
siton shown by the losing party, should deci
siye verdict be rendered in favor of one of the
two contesting parties by the Commission, is
naturally watched for with great anxiety, as i'm
portant interests are at stake upon its develop
| ment
There quite large number OF Congress-
men staying in the city still, and politics are by
no means tibooed during the recess The prin-
cipal topic of interest among these gentlemen is
THE sPEAKERsHIP,
| Sam Randall and General Garfield are both here
| In person, and may be said to be at present the
leading candidates for said office Charley Foster
says he shall support Garfield, and that disposes
Of Foster as a candidate, of his own volition
Many Republicans indulge in the hope that the
| House can be organized on an administration
basis and with Republican Speaker Such
hope, however, it seems to us, must grow fainter
as Garfield's candidacy grows stronger, for there
Is but little possibility OF Garfeld's securing any
| democratic votes General Garfield may be an
administration candidate but the Presidents pol
/ Ma Halh Pa md