Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-15
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, d. C., August II, 1877.
Messrs Editors Politics are beginning to look
up once more Now that the great strike is over,
and the agitation incident thereto has subsidized,
the politicians beginning to prepare for the
winter campaign. Considerable interest was man
ifested here in the action of
THE MAINE REPUBLICANS
ut their convention held last Thursday. Although
it mattered very little to the administration to
the country what resolutions were adopted, new
ertheless the main interest seemed To centre
upon the platform Of the convention as showing
how the state stood on the administration ques-
ton Both sides therefore were somewhat disap-
pointed in the result The administration, com
posed of the President and his Cabinet, were
somewhat surprised that the resolutions did not
in plain terms denounce the policy pursued by
the government, both as to the South and the
civil seryice-knowing as they do the bitter en-
nifty of Blaine, and that he has the name, at
least of running the party politics of the state.
Ever, body here were likewise astonished to hear
that Mr.. Blaine had assumed new role-that OF
peaceuaker- which is so foreign to his nature and
against all precedent in his case. The proceed
inrs of the convention have also Enthusiastically
shown that there are other Republicans in Maine
outside of those who have lately figured in the
halls OF Congress, who are not yet too late To
save the reputation of their party from falling be
low mediocrty in that state. The speech OF ex
Governor Chamberlain is not only considered ~
the only striking and interesting feature of the
convention, but also rs one OF the best speeches
thus far made in support of the administration
| Had Blaine but dared to do what he hoped thu
| convention would do, viz: denounce the policy o
the President and had acted up To his own con
vctions in favoring resolution to that effect, h,
would doubtless have met a foe in Governor
| Chamberlain who in debate would have beer
more logical than himself and harder to beat thar
even Ben Hill But here the political sagacty o
Mr.. Blaine came tn his aid, and he very cleverl.
cut the Gordan knot and declared peace insteac
| of war lie saw there were more ways than on,
of whipping his Satanic Majesty around tn
stump, and took that which was the least trouble
some. When Congress meets such "A course viii
not do lie will then have to meet the foe in tn
persons Of the ablest and best Republicans in tn
Senate
Considerable newspaper talk has arisen the pas
week over one Of
GAIL HAMILToN's EMBRoIDERIKs
in which she attempts to convict Secretary Schur
of inconsistency in his professions of attachm en-
to the principle of civil service reform, beeaus
he accepted pay for services rendered as speake
in political campaigns. The original story, a
| Miss Abigail tells it, Is that he charged five hun
dred dollars apiece for three speeches in rennsy
yania. This has, however, been proven to be IN
correct by Mr., Kemble-a politician OF that stat
whom Gail relied ON to corroborate her stat,
ments. lie says he paid Schurz much for tire
weeks work. whereat the politicians smile at tn
contrast and wonder how the latter was secure
at 80 low II price The truth is there has been n
political campaign during the last eighteen yeal
in which Mr. Schurz could not have fixed his ow
prce for his services, while in 1869 he was too pc,
to devote his time To political speech-makinl
The record of the Secretary AZ To his financial n
fairs is altogether too good tn require defens
lie has always kept himself free from every tran
action which could in the least reflect upon h
integrity or consistency. notable Illustrate
of this trait of his character Is the incident whiC
occurred when he WAS in the Senate, when he d
clined an offer of ten thousand dollars for fif
lecturer, because he believed that all his time b
longed To the country. The motives for these a
lacks upon
are very obvious, coming from the source whiC
they do Gail Ilamilton's disappointment at n
being at the present time the walking lady
the White House, Is demonstrated in her week
: attempts in the New York Tribune, To bring Il
3 reformed system Of civil service into discred
Those from whom this lady draws her inspratl'