Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-18
Our Washington Letter.


WAsHlNGTONt ~ ~ Apfll 49, 1911.
Messrs. Editors The policy inaugurated by
President Hayes, with view to the restoration Of
local selfgovernment in the Southern states, has
been received by some as fraught with much
doubt Of successful accomplishment
THE PRESIDENTS SOUTHERN POLICY
is not the outgrowth Of sudden impulse nor has
he acted solely by the advice OF others. Shortly
after the close Of the rebellion, In company with
several men Of culture and political promise, he
made an extended tour through the states OF Vlr-
gna, Mississippi and Louisiana, and those sections
lying along the line Of travel through adjacent
states During this trip he was close observer
Of the condition Of the people, their views and
feelings, both in matters Of local interest and also
In the political relations they sustained towards
the federal government. He seized every oppor-
tunity to acquaint himself personally with these
subjects, and in DOING 40 conversed freely with
the people Of all classes To show the interest he
felt in advising himself OF the actual state OF af
fairs, it was stated by the late Speaker Kerr who
was one of the party, that during his excursion
he was much impressed by the heartfelt interest
shown by Governor Hayes in the condition OF the
Southern people; and that in conversation he fire.
quently expressed to him the hope that something
might be speedily done to restore to those people
their relations to the government, believing that
such course would win them back to their old
love for the Union. The late Speaker further
said, that while others were enjoying themselves,
Governor Hayes labored ndustriously, and when
he returned to his homein Ohio, was in possession
of personal and practical information, respecting
the inner sentiments OF the Southern people, pos
sessed by no other public man in his knowledge
In the exalted office now filled by President
Hayes he is In position to carry into effect what
he then believed was the true policy Of the fed
eral government The course OF the President
thus far since the brief period OF his executive
authority indicates the sincerity of his nvestiga-
tions then, and his purposes now In the conflict
OF views which seems impending between the ex-
ecutive and the extremists of the Republican
party the President, with his personal knowledge
of the Southern people, will show himself more
than match for the threatened opposition, and
show to the mass Of the people, who now applaud
his policy, that their confidence and support is not
misplaced.
THE ASSERTION OF SENATOR BLAINE,
that the press Of New England does not rghtfully
represent the sentiments Of the people when il
favors the Presidents course, is so ridiculous, as
well as untrue, that it needs but little refutaton
in the columns of New England paper When
Mr.. Blaine seeks to claim before the country that
he and his sentiments better represent the poiti-
cal sentiments of the people of New England
than does the press Of that section, he is claiming
far more than he can call his own, and more than
| even past experience would give him a right u
claim. Does he forget how New England repudi-
| ated him and his candidacy at Cincinnati? Does
he not remember that, outside Of his own state,
it cast majority of its votes for n man who,
while representing the political sentiments OF the
people typited also the very feelings which have
been shown to be embodied in President Hayes
The mass of the Republicans of New England are
in favor Of the peace policy of Hayes Henc.
these struggles OF Senator Blaine. The latter
stalwart as he is, cannot stem the political tide
which is running in that direction Perhaps
the distinguished Senator from Maine is preparing
for another dramatic coup d'etdt such as he start
led the House of Representatives with on the eve
of the Cincinnati convention. No one who wit
messed that scene will ever forget it. 1t was
bold stroke for the Presidential nomination, but
it really did him more harm than good. He over
reached himself in the effort, and in spite of all
| his wisdom and astuteness AS politician, he may
yet live to experience in his own person the full
'orce o' that 'aultihs a'hoitioh which erieap'
itself
Ben Wade has also come out in n letter denonnc
ing the Southern policy of the President. 1t vii
be remembered that he made a raid upon Pres
| dent Lincoln in much the same way. The effec
is likely to be the same in both instances
THE VACANCY on THE SUPREME BENCH
| I,,..
some time to come. There are numerous app
cs,nts for the place, and the claims Of many hay'
| been urged upon the President. lie has as Ae
given no word Of announcement to any Of them
Judge Drummond OF Illinois, Ex-Secretary Bril-
tow, Senator Chri-tiancy, Ilerschel v johnson
Judge Wood Of Louisiana, and Judge Hawkins {"
tennessee, are the principal candidates Th'
| papers in the case OF any Of the above name'
candidates verv voluminous. The papers ar
not filed by the candidates themselves, but by
their friends, and Mr. Bristow il the most strongl,
recommended of any Of them. The President ha,
decided, it is said not to fill the vacancy unit
after the meeting Of Congress in December The
court will adjourn in May and there is apparent,
no necessity of filling the seat until the win
ter term begins
THE EXTRA SESSION
will, it is generally believed be Of short duration
| and will not be called until after the Louisiana
commission makes its report The House viii
| hardly be able To decide upon all the contested
elections at the extra session, as many of then
are of so complicated a nature that much time
| will be necessarily given to their consideration
| The clerk OF the House states that he will be
obliged to wait until the last moment before
| A. Al l..
formation in many cases is not all in, and he doe.
not propose to take any responsibility in the mat
ter upon himself So far as the Speakership /,
concerned, ex-Speaker Randalrs friends claim thai
he is constantly gaining. It appears that til,
Southern members are keeping very quiet as t.
their intentions, and will not pledge themselves tt
any candidate. II they act upon principle judg
| ing from the views expressed by those of prom
| inence now in the city, there will be u consider
able Southern vote in favor of the administration
candidate. The contest is at present narrowed
down to Randall and GARFIELD. Should there o'
a compromise candidate agreed upon the choic'
would probably fall upon General Banks. Poll
ticians are now waiting anxiously Tor the decision
in the Louisiana case, before commencing per
manent operations.
| SECRETARY scHuRz
has already begun to eXemphiy In a practical
manner his ideas OF civil service reform, and
seems in real earnest Oy enforcing us rules IN tht