The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-05-03
Of the SOMERSET PREss.

correspondence OF tne OOMHHSEI IhESS
WASHINGTON D. G. April, 2sth, 1877
For many months the Public has heard
nothing from the Hon Alex. FL. Stephens
("except that he was on his death-bed,"
mot expected to live through the night"
&c), he appeared in the House Of Repres-
entatives but twice during the last session,
andithen was carried in annivalid chair to |
the Capitol and in the arms of a servant to
and from his seat but now he is recover
ing his health and has recently shown
that his brain or mind has not been keep.
ing as quiet as has his body, by the express
sion Of various sentiments and opinions
regarding the Situation" of affairs general
ly. He has only this week became able to
ride out and one Of his first drives was to
the Executive Mansion. He vas too weak
to leave his carriage, but sent his respects
to the President with excuses for not en-
tering The President at once went out to
Mr. Stephenss carriage where he stood
talking with him for half an hour OF
course Mr.. Stephens praised the new policy
they all do when they are face to face
with its author-and complimented him
upon his 6rmness in carrying it out.
Mrs. Hayes has been more severely criti-
cized about allowing wine at the State
Dinner given to the Grand Dukes last
week than for any act since she has been in
the White House. Different people take
different views, some arguing that she
she has confessedlv strong scruules against
its use in any case she should havs with
stood all influence in contrary direction
and taught lesson Of temperance to for
eign nations by refusing to offer them win'
while other in equally as plausible manner
take the ground that the State Dinner wa
not of Mrs. Hayes going, bu; a Govern
ment affair entirely; she had no righ
to dictate in the matter nor to interest her
self further than to preside at table ant
that merely because her home is in th
Executive Mansion. Let her exercise he
own pleasure at private entertainment
which she chose to give but State affair
are Government affairs and she shoul
have no more voice in them than sboul
any and every other lady in the land
Mrs. Hayes has been called charmingl
fresh and fair and she is 30 notwithstand
ing which fact, she has been the mc ther
eight children. Birchard, aged % who
in the law school of Harvard University
Webb, q, and Rutherford, who are III
der-graduates of Cornell Joseph betwee
Webb and Rutherford who died in infanc
George Crook, named from General Croo
whose family are intimate friends of IL
President and Mrs. Hayes Fannie, age
8 the only girl and of couse the pet in Il
family; Scott pet named Tuss'O aged g. ar
the baby, Manning, born in Fremont ar
died when two months old. Fannie ar
Scott, who are always with their mothe
will have a most delightful play grour
this summer at Soldiers Home where the
father has engaged the famous old Big
Mansion as their summer residence.
The question ofproper United State nav
force is being considerably ngitated in Il
vicinity late probably being called to t
public mind by the Eastern commotic
Congress owes one duty to the people of t
United States, in view of possibility o
general War in Europe. It should ma
appropriation for at least eight war vesse
which will be able to cape with any in t
world, we have nothing of this kind
present. One English iron clad could ri
over our whole navy and leave naught
wrecks behind"
The majority of the people of WashiI
ton have been entertained for the last
days by Forepaugh's Great Menage
which has been exhibiting here and viii
really presents. several exceptionally
teresting features. most prominent amo