Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-16
MINOR NOTES.

The selection Of Frederick W. Sew ard as
first assistant secretary OF state gives great
satisfaction in Washington.
Ex-Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks is seek
ing repose and forgetrulness in California.
He will make a visit there OF seven weeks.
He is not at all well.
Carl Schurz, in assuming the Office OF
Secretary Of the Interior, paid ex Secretary
Chandler high compliment for the condi-
ton in which he had placed the depart
ment.
The new Cabinet at its first session APP
pointed Messrs Evarls and Schurz a COM
mittee to draft a set Of civil service rules,
which shall be enforced during the present
ad mnistra,ion.
Much satisfaction is felt 10 Washington
that President Hayes declined TO attend
Parson Newman's church last Sunday, but
went, instead, to the plain and unpretend-
ing Foundry Methodist church.
Mrs. Hayes held her first reception at the
White House Saturday afternoon, and Wis
itors were pleased and impressed as well
by the planness and quiet elegance OF her
dress, as by the cordial manner in which
they were received.
Mr. VIM. X. Rogers, President Haves's
private secretary, has been both a lawyer
and a clergyman, falling health causing
him to give mp those professions. He is a
cultivated and competent man.
Vice President Wheeler presides over
the Senate with dignity and skill. He has
already shown such adaptation for his du-
ties that the Senators are greatly pleased
with him.
Washington was considerably astonished
Sunday, at seeing the presidential family
walk to church, Just like common folks.
The new administration is likely 10 give
Washington and the country a good many
common-sense surprises.
All the members OF the new cabinet who
had not previously taken the oath were
sworn in on Monday, except Thompson,
who had not arrived and the retiring Off
GERS surrendered their portfolios, giving
vent to gleeful expressions on their release
from the burdens of office.
The Boston Herald Independent Demo
cratic triumphantly exclaims-"Bristow
would not have made so independent Cab
inet-the Independents themselves could
not have advised list of names more to
| their liking. President Hayes recognizes
| hi. situation"
Poor old Simon Camerons answer to the
| question if il was not unusual to refer cabi-
net nominations TO Senate committees was,
"Yes, but this is very unusual admins
tration.'
Secretary Sherman. the Presidents init
mate friend and adviser, says: Anybody
who expects to pull Hayes around will
mistake the man. He is not quarreisome,
but has a mind OF his own.
| The first Office that President Hayes ev-
er held was that OF city solicitor OF Cincin-
natl, and, curiously enough, he was elected
10 that by majority Of one.
The Southern claims commission. which
had reached the end ofits official existence,
as fixed by law, received a new lease oflife
for two years from the last Congress. There
are now pending 5000 claims, on which no
evidence has been taken, aud $500 claims
in which evidence has been taken in whole
or in part.
Mr.. Key, the new Postmaster General,
isn't so much ofa Democrat amer all. In 1869,
as member OF the Tennessee Constitution
al Convention, he advocated negro suffrage,
negro schools aid negro testimony, which
was all that Republican can do.
Parson Brewnlow telegraphs his congrst-
ulations TO the new Postmaster General,
and expresses the hope that his appoint
ment will prove the beginning Of an era OF
better feeling between the sections.
General Joe Hawley says the President
is going 10 have pitched battle with the
Legislative usurpation, in which he will
ind against him some of the best men and
some Of his best friends. But If he will be
patient and brave he will win, for law and
conscience are with him.
| 'He serves his party best who serves his
country best" exclaimed President Hayes
in his inaugural. And then the New York
sun shed tears, climbed mp on the roof and
set its flag at half-mast. AS George Eliot
remarks, "there are moments when the
human heart must revolt or break"
| A striking" incident occurred at Wash
ington on the night of Inauguration day. A
drunken democrat called out for cheers
for Tilden as the torchlight procession was
passing the treasury building, and loudly
cursed Hayes, whereupon he was very
| quietly knocked down by a gentleman,
who explained that he was a democrat him
self, and for that reason thought be had a
right to punish the fools OF his own party.
| Mr.. Tilden could turn portion of his
| great wealth TO a charitable use just now, il
he were so disposed. Washington is full OF
needy democrats who went there to get Of
fee. The journey thither exhausted their
purses, and now they are without means to
return home. A few thousands expended
for their benefit would give a silver lining
to the Oregon cloud.--Albdny Journal
| President Jaekson's cabinet nominations
were confirmed with less than an hours
delay by wing Senate, and President Har-
rison's cabinet was confirmed by demo-
cratic Senate with equal promptness. The
delay OF the present Senate in acting upon
President Hayes's nominations had no
precedent in the history Of the government.
| -
We are glad to learn that Lee & Shep-