Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-04-06
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter,

WASHINGTON. d. c., April l, 1881.
The political situation in the Senate has
become exceedingly interesting and critic
al and the week has been characterized
byfillibustering in the interest Of executive
sessions on the part Of The democrats, and
a series Of adiournments when the endur-
ance of the minority has worn out the
patience OF the majority. The president
has given notice, by his appointments, OF
numerous and important changes affecting
"a large circle of Office holders with their
families and dependents; the supreme
court has been prevented more than once
from sitting by lack Of quorum; the
District of Columbia is without marshal /;
and important treaties are gathering dust
on the shelves.
There were all kinds of rumors afloat
again yesterday regarding cabinet resigna-
tons. 1t is still reported that the compli-
cations over at least one obnoxious nom
ination are such that, unless it is with
drawn by the president, or rejected by the
Senate, the retirement of one cabinet
official is inevitable.
The president, from the best authority
is determined to stand by Robertson s
nomination. He declares,i it is stated, that
he positively informed Senators Conking
and Plat of his purpose to select officials
from both wings of the party in New York.
Despite the positive declarations of war
on the part of the stalwarts, many believe
that they will hesitate about making Il
break with the administration upon per-
sonal issue of this kind, and where they
are urstty enre-te be iefented.-h fight
against Robertson's confirmation will un-
doubtedly result in the defeat of those who
inaugurate it. The democrats will gen.
orally, and perhaps unanimously, vote for
confirmation. and it is not to be doubted
that, at the least. half of the republican
senators will support the administration.
Should the commerce committee withhold
a report, then motion to discharge the
committee and to bring the nomination
before the Senate will certainly be made
and Just rs certainly be carried. IL is
doubtless true that the democratic senators
dislike the nomination of Mr.. Chandler on
the ground that in carrying out his idea of
politics he would resort to all sorts of
means to make it unpleasant to the south
but this feeling is not likely to drive them
over to Mr.. Conking in his fight against
the administt alton. In truth, with ar
equally divided Senate, and out of dis
position to give President Garfield fair
show in the start, the democratic senator.
have generally expressed disposition to
confirm his nominations. They apparent
ly realize that, if not necessary, it, is al
least not out of place for them-hold.
ing us they do an equal power in the Sen
ate, TO take some position with regard TO
the new administration, and to declar,
that position. If the republicans had ,
good working majority in the Senate, thu
views and intentions of tho democrats ~
to The Administered on would be of com
paratively SIN al Importance. AS it is, tn,
position of the democratic senators us
voiced individually and collectively is on,
of frindiness toward the administration.