The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-12-25
.(From our regular Correspondent

in Lincoln Hail.
'(From our regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 18, 1880.
A week characterized by changes IN the
Cabinet and in the Supreme Court, by an ova-
ton to General Grant, and a convention Of wo-
men clamorous for the ballot, cannot be called
dull IN Washington. The Secretary of the
Navy has resigned his portfolio to accept the
Craftsmanship of an alien Inter-oceanic Canal
Company, and there is much talk about it In
political and amateur diplomatic circles. No
doubt M. de Lesseps had diplomatic reasons
for confering the honor and the salary on Sec
rotary Thompson. He has genuine French
enterprises acquire from distinguished names
and official position. But it is doubtful if
the Secretary Of the Navy had other than Pc
cunlary reasons for accepting the position. In
two months he would have ceased to draw his
salary as cabinet officer, and an emolument
of $4,000 year for, perhaps, the remainder
of his life was doubtless strong consldera-
ton with an old man not rich but having
many daughters.
The resi- gnation of Justice Strong of the Su-
preme Court OF the United States has been
long expected, so that comment turns chiefly
upon the Ohio Judge, ria Georgia. who has
been appointed to succeed HIM. There is Cos.
sip to the effect that the Presidents ruse to
fost another Ohio man upon the supreme
bench by appointing Buckeye emtgre from
Georgia, will be resented by the majority of the
Senate; and that Judge Wood will fail of con-
firmaton. The appointee, however, has friends
among the Southern Senator's and l am dis
posed to think he will meet no effective Oppo-
sition
General Grants snowy military and civic
reception on Tuesday was In striking contrast
with General Garfield's quiet visit to the city
three weeks ago The ex-Persident was re-
eived by such a crowd as his experience dur
ng the last sixteen years must have made him
very familiar with. To have seen Pennsyl
waiting thousands must have been very sug
gestive to Susan B. Anthony, Hannibal Ham
lin, and others, who can remember remote
events, of the the trlumphal professions of
Caesar, Pompey, Trajan, and other Roman
conquerers. There was, however, more cnri-
osity than enthusiasm in the crowd. The
weather was delicious, and Washington has
thousands of we'll dressed people who delight
to display their fine clothes and seal skin jack
cts on Pennsylvania Avenue, Notwithstand-
ing General Grants long residence here there
were many who had never before seen him
who has been gazed at by more eyes than any
living individual ~
Mesdames Lucy Stone, Livermore Black
well and other wierd sufferers for woman sui.
frage are here once more in annual convention,
with slightest variation, the same
dreary speeches, and passing the same lmpo-
tent resolutions. Alas! why will these ladies
continue to agitate US, and shake u. to the
very centre. Why will not bonnets and ba-
bies suffice, as in the golden age Of our grand
mamas. Alas, that female women, who were
once so divine and nice in sickness and in
welness, should now wish to figure in torch
light procession, stuff ballot box, and shoot
off rhetorical sky rockets with their mouths.
DISTRICT SCHooLs-we keep all kinds OF books
n ~. g. 81