Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-17
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON. ID. c., !
April z, 1877.

April Z, 1871.
1t will DO gratifying assurance 10
thousands of American citizens, particu-
larly many of those who had their inter-
est revived 10 the Washington Monument
on their visit here last summer. to know
that the President and Mrs. Hayes have
both expressed their determination TO
forward its immediate completion by
every legitimate means in their power.
o. the 6.h Of last JnIy, Senator Sherman.
moved by the patriotic spirit incited by
visit 10 the Centennial Exhibition the day
previous, moved an appropriation OF
5000, 900 out of money not otherwise ep-
propriated, to finish the monument, which
remains precisely as it was left some
years before the war. a board oil army
officers was Immediately designated to
test the foundations, and much dissatis-
faction has been heard at the seemingly
leisurely manner in which they went
about their work. But they appear to
have faithfully performed their duty in
The matter. boring down 10 the depth OF
many feet 10 ascertain the character q
the earth foundation. How important
this information is will be appreciated
when il is stated that it will have to sup
por, shalt Of marble about COO feet in
height, 81 feet square at the base. grad
ually tapering in its upward growth. 1t
ID understood the tests have been salisiac-
tory and that immediate steps have been
determined upon 10 resume work. There
are $500 900 minus the cost OF the tes.i g
experiments. available, besides quite an
amount realized by private contributions.
# is not believed that the amount on
hand is sufficient 10 complete the s.ruc-
ture according to the original plan. Ia.
with the hearty cooperation Of the Pres
ident and tho ladies OF his household, il
is thought the balance needed can be
readily obtained. As il nov stands. III
teet high OF white marble, it Is . marked
feature coming up the Potomac. and
when completed it vii! be without rival.
Active work is going on in al the Gov
eminent Departments here with view
to their early organization upon tie basis
of the new civil service reform methods
to which the Administration stands
/ pledged, and which il is understood The
President means shall DC - prominent
feature OF his four years rule.
The substitution OF NJ. Mccormick a
Assistant Secretary OF the Treasury Is oui-
nen'ly satisfactory TO those having per-
sonal knowledge OF many of tho higher
grades Of oilicials who have held response
bic positions there in the past; and his APP
poin,ment is generally regarded AS
directly in the line OF the reforms needed
and promised.
Daring the pas, few days many Demo
cratic papers have made their appearance
here with long editorials severely CON-
menting upon an alleged misappropris-
lion or theft by ex Secretary Robson Of
the public money derived from tho sale
OF the old Philadelphia navy yard. These
are presumed TO have b. en- based upon
vague statement sent away from this
city, TO the effect that the officials 1T the
/ Department were unable TO find any trace
OF it. Il seems ~ have jas. answered
their purpose, a. all remember that no
officer oil President Grants appointment
was more persistent'y logged than Robe
son, aud with less real foundation OF
their outrageous charges. as they Ieuc-
tantly confessed, when nothing further
was TO be gained by such misrepresenia-
tons Yesterday Mr Robson made
statement which, if tue, will satisiac-
tori!y account for the money; and
whether true or false will DO shown by
/ the books OF the several bureaus OF the
/ Department. la this connection J may
| just refer 10 the inadequacy vi The apprc-
prations OF a Democratic House TO meet
current expenses OF the Department. 1t
/ is found that the balances Of last year 5
approptia ion, out OF which TO pay the
officers and men, are nearly exhausted
and there is still three months TO be pro-
yided for before the expiration OF the
present fiscal year. The reductions were
made for their effect upon the Presidential
election, aud there is no hope Of relief
from the resulting embarrassment until
July.
The report is revived that the President
will in few days. Issue his proclamation
converting the Forty-ffih Congress in
Extra Session as early as the lth OF
May. Rival Democratic sspirants for
the Speakership show no signs Of relax
| ing their efforts to secure the prize. An
other rumor is to the effect that Southern
memb ers-Texans leading the move are
pushing Banks for the position as means
of expressing their resentment towards
Northern and Western Democracy for its
opposition to the Southern Pacific Road,
and its generally unfair discrimination
against the South. There is an ominous
silence among many Republicans relative
TO their future course. and there are those
who look for the outbreak OF irighllul