New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-28

political bias of the speakers.
Colonel William s. Kelley, who has the charge of
Che department of insolvent assignments in the
Court Of Common Pleas, and who is well
known, not only for his writings of that sub
ject but as q Democratic politician, said {:
"During the campaign last year worked as hard
as could against General Garfield, stumping the
State and reasoning with my friends. But the fight
was made so far as was concerned purely on pohti
cal and party grounds and no one ever heard me say
a word against the personal character OF General
Garfield: and the result was iustifying the conf
dence which the people felt in him personally when
he was struck down. / was in the South at the
time the shooting occurred. The growing
sentiment of the people there that n man had been
put at the head of affairs who was gong TO see JUS
tce DONE and who would help them in their
struggle toward social order and prosperity was
very apparent. And really believe that the grief
and CONSERVATION that shown down there
when the of his assassination came quite
as deep and sincere at the North This feeling,
1t is true, aggravated by misunderstanding of
the character of Mr. Arthur, and l. a Democrat,
actually found myself defending against ardent Re-
pubcans the personal standing and reputation of
the Republican Vice-Presdent. 1 said then as
still think that Mr.. Arthur, while he has used
IRENE party measures in this city to strengthen his
party, is a cultured and able man, who, if placed,
by the sad calamity of the Presidents DEATH in such
high executive position that of his successor,
will execute his duties with ability"
The feeling of anxious waiting for an inevitable
blow was again manifested yesterday in the man
ner and conversation of those who visited the Post
Office Building Postmaster Pearson did not re-
ceive the customary telegram from Postmaster Gen.
eral James. The Postmaster has heretofore been
very hopeful, but yesterday he appeared very
much depressed. He was asked whether, if
the President died to-day, the Post Office would
be closed. He said that only the doors which are
shut on holidays would be closed, and the dstrbu-
ton of letters would not be interrupted If, how
ever, the body of the President should be brought
to this city after DEATH the Postmaster will
close all the outer doors of the building
for the first time since it's erection. and all business
will be suspended.
The offices in the building presented the de-
serted appearance usual Saturdays, but among
those who had business in the building expressions of
grief were universal Said one of the Commission
ers: 1t is dreadful to think of the suffering the
President has to endure, and then to think of his
murderer apparently in good health in the prison.
The utmost that the law do with him is to hang
him. and that small penalty, in pro-
portion to the evil he has done. For once
] almost wish barbarous methods of punishment
were still in existence, so that Guiteau might feel
of the torture he has inflicted" A man having
business in the binding spoke of the
treme ptifulness of the Presidents situation.
al cannot help thinking of him." said
he lying there and suffering day after day, weak
and in pain, while so many are anxious to do some
thing to relieve him aud pOwerleSs. II he had
died at once the shock would have been greater,
but it would not have seemed so melancholy
as the present situation does" No one appeared TO
feel any hope of the recovery of the President and
the inquiries as to the nature of the bulletins were
made with a hopeless air, if the best news that
could be expected would be only a pOstponement of
the expected end.
OF all the active business places downtown the de-
preston was most noticeable in the offices of the
Custom House. The rotunda was, as IT always is
n a qFfl Inn he tran tlnn
tween shippers and merchants clerks and the Gus
toms employees seemed to be transacted with less
than the usual amount of hustle and noise 1t has
been customary for some time to post at the entrance
IN Wall-st an abstract of the physicians
brief comment by the transcriber Heretofore
the comment has reflected the strong hope of the
day this too had in il tinge of the general despair
1t read; The, only hope is, the great and good
1--WE have had no such day since Collector Rob-
ertson came in," said Private Secretary Barrett.
Hardly any business is doing and nobody has had
the heart even to ask for place"
The Collector went TO his home in westchester
short time before he left his office.
at has been like funeral here all day" he said.
Have you heard anything from Washington"
Nothing. except the bulletins and the reports
that friends have brought me from the street /
have received no personal dispatches and almost do
tidingss."
well. you know my belief that the President
would get we'll has been strong all the time, and
even now still hope that something like miracle
Later in the afternoon Collector Robertson re.
ceived the following dispatch from the Presidents
private secretary:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug 81.
Tie Hon W. ii. ROBERTSON.
Al this hour, p the President is quite comfort
able His pulse is Ia. He voluntarily remarked that
he felt stronger than yesterday whatever the
might bring He has not yet any signs dlssou
pected that was happening to him.
A. F. ROCKWELL.
Gloom and depression seemed to pervade the at
nhlFp oft he Aff pafrg
Maritime Exchanges yesterday and as much anxi.
ETY. and interest were exhibited in the condition OF
the President as at any time since he was wounded
1t the general feeling that the fatal result OF
the Presidents wound longer a matter OF
doubt still the merchants grasped and held fast to
every thread of hope thrown to them with as much
tenaeity if they did not really believe their own
convictions. The bulletins watched with ager-
ness, and no sooner was, dispatch received
than crowds gathered about, too anxious
to wait for opportunity to read it,
and called for ii to be read aloud. When
copy of Secretary Baines message to Minister
Lowell was read, indicating that the situation was
more critical there were many involuntary tears
from strong men. While everybody believed this
statement to be the plain truth void of all coloring
SO strong was the desire for better that when
later dispatch announced favorable discharge
from the parOtd gland and the retention of the food
given, this seized upon as ground for slight
hope. There was a feeling among the merchants as
they parted business association for the week that
before their reaSsembling on Monday morning the
Nation would be clothed i'll deep grief and mourn
President TannahiT, of the Cotton Exchange, said
as lie left the Exchange ave must
upon the woTst as the the n aeS SRd TSs
people have become reconced to the fact that they
and the President must soon separate and when il
does come there Will be universal feeling of ire
pressible sad ness But what unbounded 10y ii
would be should favorable change come and the
President at last recover
AT Police Headquarters there was feeling Of pro-
found gloom that dcepened as the reports repre-