The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-08


waiting to hear some tidings from him.
AUGUST.
[FRoH ouR REGULAR CoRREsPoNDENT.l
WAsHINeroN, D. c., Oct. 3, 1881.
The talk of the Capital, among all classes,
officials, politicians and residents, is at pres
ent about evenly divided between discus
sion Of the surgical treatment of President
Garfeld's wound and speculations regard
ing the Administration. II appears TO be
inevitable that a bitter and in all proba-
bility prolonged controversy must take
place on the subject Of the case of the late
President. There is great deal Of feeling
concerning the matter here, and, whether
justly or unjustly, a great deal of severe
criticism cs the surgeons who were in charge.
Three Of our local physicians have publish
ed articles in the daily journals, illustrated
by drawings, endeavoring to show not only
that the attending surgeons did not know
what they should have known, but that
they were not truthful in what they have
said about the case. DR.. Boynton who was
in attendance as family physician aud rel
alive. continues to express condemnation of
the treatment as well as the subsequent su-
,opsy, aud altogether the public is much at
loss what 10 believe. The article Of Dr.
Hamilton prepared for the Medical Gazette
and already published seems to be reassug-
ing. | do not propose to join the critics for
know how easy IL is to find fault and how
difficult 1t is to judge whether any better
could have been done. | am simply sum-
ming up the current gossip. 1t is said, and
on the authority Of those who had every
means OF knowing, that many of the state
ments given out as 70 the favorable cond-
ton Of the President and the bright remarks
attributed TO him were, 10 put the most fa-
vorable construction on it, erroneous; that
for thirty or forty days before his
death the President was either delirious or
unconscious most Of the time. These facts,
with many others equally strange and i'm
portant, will, it is understood, soon be made
public through the medium Of those who
stand responsible for them.
To attempt to sum up all the speculations
concerning the new Administration would
require more space than my allotted column.
II the prepcnderance of conjecture among
the politicians can be taken for anything
there will be a new Cabinet entire, and the
complexion will be decidedly Grant Near
ly all the names mentioned for places are
either former supporters of the ex President
or were members of the Administration.
But it is safe to say that next to nothing is
known concerning the matter. 1t is guess
work pure and simple, for President Ar
thur has said absolutely nothing. The quid
nunces may find themselves all at sea when
they do hear from him. Gen. Grant him
self has been mentioned as probable sue
cessor for Secretary Blaine, but venture to
| disagree with that prediction. Yet the
place Of Mr.. Blame will be hard TO fill with
any less prominent representative of the
party. Senator Logan has been mentioned
| as possible Secretary of the Interior. No
better appointment could be made but am
inclined to doubt whether the Senator would
accept. The experience of Senators who
have resigned their seats to ego up higher
has aot been such as to encourage that sort
of thing. Senator Sherman served out his
iull term as Secretary ofthe Treasury but
he was glad to get back into the Senate
again. Secretary Window is said to cast
longing glances toward the vacancy caused
by his own resignation, and Secretary Kirk
wood is supposed to think Of trying to OBJ
tain the seat which ex Congressman James
F. Wilson has been campaigning all sum-
mer. Mr.. Blaine, too, would doubtless be
/ glad if there was wav open for him to get
back into the seat he so recently vacated.
But both the new Senators from Maine are
ambitious men, fond of public life, and they
would hardly make any sacrifices even for
Blaine.
Preparations for the trial of Guteau also
understanding he will be indicted by the
Grand Jury on Tuesday and brought in for
trial on Wednesday or Thursday. 1t is not
likely that he can be hung as soon as Fri
day, but it is to be hoped that he will not
be allowed a single day Of life beyond what
is necessary to proceed in order and decency.
The authorities are puzzled TO know how
to get the prisoner back and forth from the
Jail to the courtroom in safety. 1t has been
suggested that one Of the iron bullet proof
Treasury wagons used Tor the carriage of
specie can be utilized. Certainly the people
of Washington are pre-eminent for law and
order. do not believe the citizens Of any
other great city in the country would have
permitted Guiteau TO rest in peaceful secur-
ity either on the night Of the Presidents
death or on the mournful day of the arrival
here of his remains. Yet Washington was
as quiet and orderly as any interior village.
With what patience and fortitude we read
in the laily papers Of this creatures daily
life and habits His health is asked about
every day, as though he were a king, and
when he gets cross and nervous and petulant
he is soOthed by gentle words. If his ape
tite is capricious It is woed with bewitch-
ing delicacies. 1t was only few days ago,
when the poor victim of this beast was ly-
iEg prone and cold in death, that we read
of his being supplied with tea and toast be-
tween his meals. The idea of an honest
man or woman making tea and toast for Gui-
teau 1t is said by the warden of the Jail
that he has splendid appetite, and that