The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-03-30
wAsIINGIoN LE1TER.
The New YGra Custom House
ARpotntment--A New Local De-
PnrtIire- Retieence Of fhe pres
AdninistratiOn---The Office
seeker LiDgeretll.

pnrttiFe-Ls etieencc Of fhe pres
AdministratIOn-TIe Office
seeker Lingeretll.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c., Mar. Is, 1881.
Just now the prominent topic d
discussion among TIE politicians is
the nomination of VIM. II. Robert
son 10 be collector of the port of New
York. II is said the President made
the appointment without consulting
any member of his Cabinet, and that
the Cabinet was as much surprised
as was Mr.. Robertson over his selec-
ton, for the reason that they knew
nothing about it in advance, and
the nominee had made no applica.
ton for the appointment. When
the name was first sent to the Senate
there was a disposition to believe
that the President chose Mr.. Robert
son on the recommendation Of secre-
tary Blaine. At the Chicago CON
yention Mr., Robertson was a mem
Der of the New York delegation. He
refused to vote for General Grant,
and on every ballot voted for Mr.
Blaine, until General Garfeld's name
was placed before the convention.
When Gov. Cornell, of New York, se-
cured the gubernatorial nomination
Robertson was a candidate against
him, but was defeated for the nomi-
nation.
1t must be admitted thatthe pres
ent administration possesses the fac.
ulty of efiectually keeping its secrets.
This was very clearly shown in the
batch of nominations sent in to the
Senate yesterday. Most of the ap.
pointments were not only not on any
of the states usually made up with
such confidence by outsiders, but
were complete surprise alike to the
politicians and the sharp-scented
boys of newspaper row.
A rumor has been in general cir,
culation, which is tolerably well an
thenticated, that the families of the
new Cabinet do not intend retnra.
ing calls. If these ladies intend to
relieve themselves of this burden,
which has been growing more and
more intolerable year by year as the
city has grown, and the number of
strangers visiting it has increased,
they should be justified by every
right-thinking person. Itshould be
considered enough to satisfy all rea.
sonable demands which their posi-
ton imposes on them that they are
willing TO see every one who calls,
and make all feel welcome on their
reception days, without expecting
them to spend all their time after
one o'clock on every day in the week
except Sundays and their own re-
ception days, in hunting up adj.
dresses from one end of Washington
to the other, SO as to return calls. So
far as opinion has been yet expressed
on the subject it has been favorable
to the new departure.
There was large crowd at the
White House again yesterday. The
rush for office is still the occupation
Of u good many people, and they all
want to get the benefit of the advice
and counsel of the President. There
are various obstacles in their way,
chief among which is that the Presi.
dent don't want to see them. AS far
as the callers are concerned, his acts
of omission each day are greater than
those of commission. But the callers
hang around, and wait with what
philosophy they can summon the ac-
emulation of hotel bills, and then
sinrf nt,t 70 unll. l,n,a q @