Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-22
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
Garfield and His Policy Already
Fading from Public View.
Washington Correspondence N. o. Democrat


WASHINGTON Correspondence NJ o. Democrat.
Garfield seems only to be kept in mind In
Washington by the rusty, frayed, wind
tossed black drapery which still hangs SUI
perfluous on the public buildings. His life
has left small impress upon politics, and
only in the manner Of his death will he have
made lasting mark. The blossoms" of the
summer have been soon unlearned, anu the
calamity which was TO have drawn seetlons
and parties into harmony has scarcely been
alluded to in all the proceedings of the Sen
ate, although the very existence OF these
sessions of the Senate was occasioned by It..
Edmunds has abated not a jot OF his fierce
partisanism, end no Democrat has exhib-
tied signs of a change of heart upon the
subject of who shall have offices. Nor does
this forgetfulness occasion surprise TO the
public, and it is probable that underneath a
universal acquiescence there was anna Ine
great flow of sentiment which poured over
the world three weeks ago, nearly uniVer-
sal doubt of the approach OF political mil
lennium.
Except on the pages Of the Senate journal
and on the columns of q few newspapers,
there is no indigestion, even among Repuo-
licans, because che Democrats seized upon
powern in electing Bayard. Ordinary peo-
pie are too obtuse to see the difference
dencv when it falls to them, and Arthur
taking the Presidency when it came to him
by the same act.
Bv many the apathy of the country on
the subject of politics this fall is ascribed to
the near approach of dissolution for both
parties but it is evident that 1t extends to
other subjects which ordinarily would at
tract the Interest Of the people. The Ma
tioual Fair lust opened here, the Baltimore
fn q OiVpn
guests and the Yorktown celebration have
all suffered from an inability to get people
excited. The truth is that after being at a
funeral for three months the business men
have turned energetically to business and
hate to be disturbed about anything else.
A curious revul5ion of feeling has become
evident In regard to those who were about
the late President as special friends. 1t
NAV have existed before his death, and
even before his wounding, but It certainly
is fact that Swain, Rockwell. Corbin and
Henry are scarcely mentioned without dis
paragement.
Arthur is different from Garfield in
nature, in manner, in modes OF thought,
and in methods of business. He appears to
have no comrades. None have been heard
of here, and diligent search in New York
for them by correspondent specially in
structed to unearth them by great news
paper failed to find other than ordinary,
social and political acquaintances. The
correspondent was sent to find ''chums."
He reported there were none and never had
been any.
Mr. Conkling, of course, could never be a
chum to anybody, and the intercourse of the
two pen, close as 1t is, is carried on without
the ~iliaritY which Garfield liked and
practice with his comrades. Arthur and
COnkling are as polite to one another when
they meet in private as IL they were upon
the floor of the Senate, In full view Of the
galleries. Arthur is gracious in his manner,
but does not invite demonstrativeness An
old attache of the State Department, who
has seen officially ell our Presidents since
Pierce, and who was page in the Senate in
Jackson's time, says that Arthur will i'm
press foreigners more favorably than any
President we have had since Van Buren,.
That bon hOr1lnlje which made Garfield popu-
lar, the directness of Grant, the humOr Of
Lincoln, the LONELINESS of Taylor, he will
lack to his disadvantage at hOme but he
has an imposing presence, high bred man
ners, a knowledge of "society" and a Ger
tain gracious reserve, which accords more
with foreign ideas of the department proper
to the head of a nation.
Keeping his own counsel he is a success.
The Cabinet have no secrets, for he appears
to give them none 10 keep. Neither are the
Senators informed; so what are the few
"specials' to do? He cannot keep US from
guessing. That is Yankee privilege which
we will die rather than surrender. We have
united In guessing that there will be no
political somersaults Grant can have any
| thing he wants; so can Conkling, so can
Arthur. But he is not going to make any
political martyrs. No one is to be allowed
to pose as the prosecuted friend Of the dead
Garfield Some impatient stalwarts are dis
gusted to see him sending In all the names
selected by Garfield for appointment. Even
Ramsdell, for whom Webster, Grants old
staff officer, was turned out as Register Of
Wills for the district, is to be sent in for
confirmation. Ramsdell was Blaine's man.
He abused Grant, Arthur and Conkling up
to the very day of Garfield's death, in the
columns OF the Philadelphia Times. In con-
versation Conkling called him a sewer trap
only month ago. He was appointed on
July 2, Just as Garfield was leaving the
White House for the depot, in spite of an
earnest request from Grant that his old aid
should remain. Now Arthur refuses to let
the stalwart Webster retain his office as he
might, by not sending in Ramsdel's name
for ten DAYS after the Meeting Of the Sen
ate. There are several other cases. The
President has a Richelieu who advises him
to take all measures to conciliate before
using any to crush.
SO far as the Republican Senators are con-
cerned the party is limited. There are no
sulky ones. administrative" Senators Of
last spring are administrative" Senators
this fall. No matter who are nominated for
Cabinet places they will be swallowed with
a good grace. We hear of no more senti-
mental talk about keeping Garfeld's ideal
Cabinet. Possibly because it is pretty well
ascertained that Garfield would not have
kept It very long himself.
Unless signs fail we shall get one or two
Cabinet nominations in a few days, if not
the whole list. Then the mists will clear
somewhat and the survey may be made Of
the political battle field Of the next three
and half years.