The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-05-04
Onr Washington Letter.

w hoittNNi'Nt ~ Va Ntdl lOffs
A meeting of large number of the
representative greenback men of the
country held conference at the Office
of Hon. Thomas j. Durant, on the
evening of the oath inst, which result
ed in the permanent organization of the
National Greenback Club. Hon. Thorn
rs j. Durant was elected president, and
gentlemen of distinction, irrespective
of party, were chosen vice-presidents-
two for each state and territory.
There has been, since the Inaugural
ton of President Hayes, speculation af-
ter speculation relative to the retirement
of Hon. A. NJ. Clapp, the present gov
eminent printer, and the appointment
of Mr.. John d. Defrees as his successor.
All doubt has now been dispelled by
the appearance of the resignation of Mr..
Clapp, TO take effect on the lst of June,
although the president did not require
1t to take place before the end of the
fiscal year Dune 500. Mr.. Defrees was
Mr.. Clapp's predecessor, and of course,
can take hold of the business of the Of
flee with the confidence which expert
ence inspires. There is every reason to
believe that the administration of Mr..
Defrees will be efficient and popular.
Mr.. Clapp will carry with him in his re-
tirement the good wishes of host OF
friends.
1t may not be amiss to state that Mr..
Defrees was largely instrumental in Sc
curing the nomination of Mr.. Colfax
and that he felt much aggrieved that he
did not, as president of the senate, as
sist in retaining him in the office of gov
eminent printer.
There has been another, and we sup
pose the last depletion of the bureau OF
engraving and printing in the treasury
The number of dismissals on the 90th
ult., was two hundred and fifty, making
in all five hundred and forty since the
4th day of March. The force retained
amounts TO three hundred and eighty.
seven, Of which number the commit.
tee reports one hundred and sew.
enty-two as having rendered army SER
vices either by themselves or immediate
relatives. The committee states that
the three hundred and eighty-scvcn kept
in service have ! ,l28 persons wholly de-
pending upon them for support. while
the two hundred and fifty discharged
have four hundred and twenty-five de-
pending upon them in like manner. OF
the dismissed thirty-eight were COM
mended for army services. This detail
affords another sickening picture ofpro-
spective want and suffering.
If anything were necessary TO con-
vince Republicans that the Democrats
in the South never entertained the most
distant intention of yielding one iota OF
their extreme party views in considera-
ton of generous treatment by Repub-
lican president, that proof is furnished
in the proceedings of caucus of the
Democratic members of the South Car
DINA Legislature last week, when and
where il was resolved that con unity,
concentration and the strictest drawing
of party lines, the safety of the party
and the welfare of honest government
depends" This does not look much
like joining new party TO sustain the
administration of President Hayes.
The almost unparalleled tenacity with
which Hon. A. III. Stephens. of Georgia
clings to life is marvellous. For long
time he has been but walking shadow
lingering, as ii were, on the brink oil
the yawning grave. Yet in the attenu-
ated frame is lodged an intellect as
brilliant as it was in the halcyon days
of his youth. On yesterday he walked
into the United States Court room and
argued an important case. His appear.
ance surprised both judge and advocate
Ex-President Grant and wife held 8
farewell reception in Washington on
the goth ult., and to Judge from the
large attendance his popularity has moi
abated much since he retired from the
presidential chair. Carriage after car.
riage rolled up to the door of the Rev
DIR. Newman's residence whore the re-
ception was held, and all the afternoon
the parlor was thronged with ladies and
gentlemen who called to say ''good-by,'
and wish the eX-president and wife 9
pleasant voyage across the Atlantic and
a safe return to the land of their birth
Neither the General or Mrs Grant have
ever taken an ocean voyage, and theil
coming one will therefore be the NOR,
novel and enjoyable.
This case will soon be brought before
our local courts. 1t bids fair to be al
amusing one. The widow Oliver brings
suit against the venerable ex-senator
Cameron, who by the way, is now sew
enty-eight years of age, for breach O
promise of marriage, laying her DANA
ges at the modest sum Of $4,000. The
senator and his friends assert that the
case is one of blackmail, which is likely
but the fair widow, who is about forty
five years of age, says she has his prom
ises to wed sin black and white" anC
will produce them before the cour
when the proper time comes. The ex
senator has retained VIM. A. Cook
Esq, as his attorney, who will deien,
his client to the bitter end, and give tn,
fair plaintiff "a Roland for her Oliver,
but that Roland will not be the venera
BILE ex-senator. II will be some othe
fellow. BETA.