The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-05-12
WASHINGTON.
The Situation of the Presi-
dents Fight.
q good opportunity for the
Democrats.
New York Snn.

| New England, returning to Washington
the day following Garfelds great coup.
when | went away last week | thought
things would settle down to something like
harmony. The committee of safety, which,
although not sounding very well, was a
good thing in itself, promised to smooth
! the way; but Halstead, who like the Old
! Nick, is always happiest when things are
hottest, got at Garfield, placed the Toma-
hawk 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 Mephis-
topheles never did "a neater trick than this
of Halstead. If it had been Conkling only
that was hit, it would not have made SO
much difference; but all the Republicans in
the Senate We're hit. Some of them rather
| liked it, but the act rather places Garfield
/ in the wrong. 1t was 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 nominations or recommends
tions. 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 who should be recommended in
the first instance.
Time and reflection" said he, will not
strengthen MI 0dEltICI Ill HIS new I)OSlllOH
He commenced wrong The removal of
Merritt, in the first place, was an unneces
sarv, violent act 1t was in contraven-
ton of all his professions about the civil
service. The sole reason was
rewards and revengcs. He thus began the
quarrel and in order to win he was done
most unwise thing in recalling the names
of Woodford and others. 1t was the
gamester's trick, if not out-and-out cheat
ing"
While these things are going on, the
Administration is bending all its energies
to secure the confirmation of Bill Chand-
ler for Solicitor General. There is some
thing like a hopeful prospect even for him
Promises of patronage are freely made
both to Republican and Democrats. In
shrewder hands the patronage would win
for certainty. But the Administration
bIunders everywhere it attempts to do
anything in the way of managing men or
shaping things. Chandler is his own best
advocate, and he is not without hope of
winning. He, too, wants time; he will not
attempt movement on the Senate until
he is ready.
Malone is in hot water. If he votes
with the Conkling side, where he naturally
belongs, he will forfeit the favor, or rather
the patronage, of the administration, and
rice cerSd. On the whole, that gentleman
is in promising way to sit on the floor.
At present Garfield has the readiest
means, and will probably get more than
Conkling, though it is difficult to perceive
how it is possible for such men as Pendle-
ton, Bayard, and Senators of solid charac-
ter and natural standing to dicker with
Garfield, and forget their duty and self
respect to the extent they will if they do
"a hp
of the occupant of the White House. Here
is their duty, and here the greatest party
advantage. The Republicans having gone
in the gutter. Democratic senators cannot
afford to follow them there for the few
crumbs of patronage that may happen to
fall out in the scramble. There is a great
opportunity presented to the Democratic
Senators" remarked a retired veteran
Democrat
Iremember well when Senators of neith-
er party would permit such innovations as
Gartield's, any more than they would deal
in counterfeit coin. 1t was utterly out of
the question then that the President should
even intimate wish beyond what was
contained in his formal communication.
To openly and shamalessly come into the
Senate chamber, as Garfield has virtually
done, and bid for votes, to openly offer to
trade for the rejection of this or the con-
firmation of that man, is something that
makes me feel that perhaps | have lived
too long. 1t wasn't so in Tom Benton's
time, or even later-a good deal later, pro
badly, for it is hard to say just when this
thing really commenced. Yes, said he,
'tit is a glorious opportunity they have, if
the Democrats only knew it.
CAPITOL NEWS.
Mrs. Garfield's condition is still critical
The president attends her constantly. Her
blood for the last few houIs has been at
404 degrees. The president is much ex
hausted.
Kelogg's reason, regarding the appoint
ments to the executive department, was OPP
posed by Sherman.
As the present expensive register con
tanned all the information required, the
resolution was supertiurous The resolu-
tion would be merely handle to oust old
and valuable public officers Bayard
agreed in this view and moved to refer the
resolution to the committee on printing.
Brown thought the resolution proper, but
McDills resolution would better cover the
ground Kellogg held that the south had
not been fairly treated; referred to com
mittee ou printing, together with Kelloggs
resolution of yesterday
Hoar offered resolution directing the |
elections committee to report on resolution |
what measures are necessary for ascertain
ment and declaration of the result of the |
Presidential elections. Adopted by the |
executive session.
The heat is increasing, and stood at 81
in the shade at eleven o'clock this morning. |
1t is expected that vote on the Stanley |
Matthews case viii be reached to-day. |
Herman spoke in favor of the confirmation
THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
are trying to get the president to define
President Hayes order in regard to the
sale of liquors at army posts.
The judiciary Committee decided on re |
port; which will probably be adverse on
the Chandler case. but they refuse to give
ii out. Prominent Republicans say the
Senate will adjourn Immediately after the
disposal of the Chandler and Matthews
cases.
Advertising Cheats.
II has become so common to write the
beginning Of an elegant, interesting article
and then run it into some advertisement