The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-05-20
THE sTRUGGLE AT THE CAPITAL.


spirited remark by the Ohio Republi-
can who came here to see for himself.
After remaining here q few days, he
prolonged his journey into New Eng
land, returning to Washington the
day following Garfield's great coup.
"When I went away last week l
thought things would settle down to
something like harmony. The Com
nittee of Safety, which, although not
sounding very we'll, was good thing
in itself, promised to smooth the way !;
but IIalstead, who, like the Old Nick,
is always happiest when things are
hottest, got at Garfield, placed the
tolnahawk and scalping knife in his
hands, and, in the moment of heat and
wounded pride, he let drive with them
at Conkling and hit everybody else.
Mephistophc!es nevcrdid a neater trick
than this of Halstead. If it had been
Conkling only that was hit, it would
not have made so much difference: !:
bnt all the Republicans in the Senate
were hit. Some CT them rather like
it, but tho act places Garfield in the
wrong. 1t was a spiteful act. 1t
doesn't suit his Office. Besides, he
had no business, if he was President.
to Interfere with the Senate for the
manner it chose to deal with his nomi-
nations or recommendations. After
he had sent in the names, he had no
more right to say how they should be
disposed of than the Senate had in de-
termining Whoshould bereeommended
in tho first Instance. If anything is
clear, it is that the President and Sen
ate shall be entirely independent in
this thing. / think Garfield invaded
the rights of the Senate, and I told
him SO today. He may catch some
momcntary applause, possibly some
temporary advantage over Conkiing,
but nothing permanent Or valuable
You Sec" continued the Ohio man,
s'Senators, when they come to think
and l wish they would think more
Will see in this interference something
TO be resented, however much some of
them may sympathize with Garfield's
purpose, tho huIniliating of Conkling.
In my day, when I had the honor to
hold scat in Congress, such an in
vasion Of tho Senate's prerogative
would have awakened such a storm of
Indignation that tho President com.
mitting the offence might have thought
himself fortunate if he escaped i'm
peachmcnt. Bless your heart" con-
tinued the man from the mother of
Presidents, ssin Wasilington's time i'm
ptsttHtHSftt "cdtt hive ttSn inc GER
tain result of such an act. Conkling
will il, the end get the advantage of
Garfield. I wish Halstcad had kept at
home or got wrecked coming. He's
tirst-ratc editor and jolly fellow, but
he's as full Of the devil as an eggs full
Of meat. Having played the mischief,
he's gone home to hatch more. 1 sec
his paper is cgging Garfield to send
away some Of his Cabinet. That
would not be SO bad, if he knew how
to select better mon, of whom there
are plenty. Garfield could not DO it.
Somebody might do it for him. The
chances are he would go to John Shcr>
man, and then the devil would DC to
pay again, for John is rather fuller of
vengeance than Blainc.'
edo you think Garfield will be able
TO break the caucus and capture Il ma
jority Of Republican Senators ?' /
asked.
"No man can tell that" said he
'sas l have said, in other aud better
days tha, would be impossible but
there's no telling now. The Offices go
Il long distance in deciding mems j..dg-
mcntcvcn in ihstructing their con-
sciences. l fear, however, the chances arc
he will. l say l fear, because, while |
want Garfield to get on, l don't want
to see him 10 it in that way.'
Here, then, is the battle ground, the
object OF tho fight. Probably neither
party will be disposed to push things
in hurry. Conkiirg will, perhaps,
think it advantageous to wait for the
reaction {; while Garfield may require
time to fix things with tho Democrats,
in which quarter is his reliance, a fact
which constitutes one of Conlziing's
most effective weapons. Speaking of
the effect Of delay, the observations Of
OF Il New England Republican are to
the point:
"Tinc and rcticction," said he, uwilJ
not strengthen Mr.. Garfield in his new
position. lie commenced wrong
The removal Of Merritt, in the first
place, was an unnecessary, Il violent
act 1t was in contravcntion Of all his
professions about the civil service.
The sole reason was rewards and re-
vcnGcs. lie thus began the quarrel,
and i'll ORDER to win he has done a most
unwisc thing i'll recalling the names
of Woodford and others. IT was the
gamcstcr's trick, if not out-and. out
| chcating''
While these things are going on the
Administration is bending all its cncr-