Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-08
Washington News.
Specials to Boston Journal.

WASHINGTON, April 6, 1881.
A gentleman who called upon the Presi-
dent this evening found him in very con-
tented frame of mind, as if unaware of the
fact, if it be fact, as represented in many
quarters, that he has a great quarrel on his
hands His visitor asked if he was in accord
with the republicans of the Senate in their
policy of inaction. He said in reply that the
action of the Senate was a thing with which
he had nothing to do, and he had been care
full not to give any one right to say that he
was seeking to influence the Senate in any
way. Senators and others who had called
had asked for expression of his views and
he had not hesitated to say that if the ally, BY
reason of whose vote the republicans had
been PLACED in control of the committees,
thought continuance of the present strug-
gle necessary for his own protection, he
would continue it for time. He was, how
ever, being made aware by new evidences
received daily, that early executive action by
the Senate upon some Of the appointments
was a pressing necessity. Some of the Dis
trict Courts were fclosed, and all business in
connection with them was suspended because
there were no judges.
The Presidents attention was called to the
reports which are published, to the effect
that Seuator Conkling had influenced repub-
lican Senators to continue this deadlock in
order to give time to arrange his plans for a
campaign against the Administration. The
President replied, with some emphasis, that
he knew that was not the case that republic
can Senators were certainly not Influenced
in their action by any such motives.
There has been an important financial con-
ference here to-day between some New York
bankers and the President and Secretary
Blaine. At that conference it has been urged
that whatever arrangement may be made
for extending the ) per cent. bonds at a re-
duced rate of interest, the honor of the Gov
eminent requires that the per cents, which
mature and are payable June so next, must
be paid on that day. The skies are on a very
different basis from the tives. The former
are redeemed without notice June so The
latter, by the terms of the law which author
lied their issue, cannot be redeemed until
after three months notice. The Government
can give that notice May first, and the fives
cannot be paid until three months after that.
The amount of the skies which are payable
June 80 without further notice is Sl97 900,
900. Whenever other loans made upon the
same terms have become payable it has been
held by the Treasury that any failure to make
prompt payment would be a stain upon the
honor of the Government; to take these
bonds and stamp upon them an agreement to
continne to pay interest at reduced rate, as
is proposed, would, these gentlemen say, be
a makeshift that would not be crcditable to
the Government.
Senator Blaine suffered last night from an
attack of rheumatism and did. not go to the
Department this morning, but in the after
noon he was well enough to ride ont.
J. X. G.. Ptkin. a prominent Louisiana
politician. to whom was addressed General
Buffers famous letter commencing my Dear
Pitkin," is to be appointed Minister to Mexi-
co. lie was earnestly recommended by Gen
eral Grant.
Mrs. John Brown the widow of the martyr
of Harper's Ferry, large, pleasant-looking
person, dressed in deep mourning, called on
the President to-day to ask for an office.
John TYLER. a son of the ex President, who
now holds Federal Office in Florida, called
at the White House to ask for promotion.
One hundred and fifty clerks were appoint
ed at the Interior Department to-day from
upward of one thousand applicants.