Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-10-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent

IFr0m our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. II, 1881.
The election of Senator Bayard to the
Presidency of the Senate was very dis
tasteful to the Republicans, Not that
the Delaware Senator, bearing a name
distinguished and honored in our nation
al politics for three generations, is per-
sonally Objectionable, because he is very
popular. Mr.. Bayard is man of fine
ability, high personal character and a fair
sample of the dignified cultivated gentle.
man who graced the chair of the Senate
as he would that of the Chief Executive
OF the country. But during the war he
was earnestly opposed to the dominant
party and some of its measures, and is in
consequence to this day bitterly de-
nounced as ''rebel." 1t is pretty hard
work for those who do not yet acknowl-
edge that the war is over, to reconcile
themselves to the elevation of one of that
class whom they were pleased to call "cop-
per-heads" to position in the direct line
OF succession to the Presidency. When
these things are understood the desperate
opposition to Mr.. Bayard is explained.
He was the candidate of his party last
spring before the Senate adjourned, but
Vice-President Arthur refused to vacate
the chair to give an opportunity for his
election, though he would have done SO
had Senator Harris, of Tennessee, an ex-
Confederate, been the nominee.
Senator Edmunds is doing all the talk
ing on the Republican side of the Senate
SO far, and is giving fresh evidence of his
aptness at special pleading. 1t was ANUS
ing to hear his emotional tone of voice
as he stood up and argued against the
disfranchisement of New York and Rhode
Island in the vote for presiding officer.
And when this failed to produce the de-
sired effect hec ecsneeringly taunted the
Democrats with taking advantage of as
sassination to obtain power But smart
as he is all his efforts lost in effect when
1t was remembered that he would have
been just as cute and earnest on the very
opposite side of the question had the in
terests OF his party required it. Senator
Vest reminded Edmunds that four States
had at one time been entirely disfran-
chised and their representatives kept
outside the chamber for days and DAYS
at his own motion and the act of his own
party; that the Democrats were not ta-
king advantage of assassination because
their majority dated back to the foolish
action of two Republican Senators from
New York, when the same candidate
they now presented was nominated, and
would have been elected and this extra
session rendered unnecessary but for the
course of Republican Vlce.President.
When he concluded this thrust with a
reference to Mr.. Conkling's speech about
the rights of the constitutional maiori-
ty'' there did not seem to be much left of
the other side of the argument and Ed
munds rather gave up the sponge. The
scheme to oust Senator Bayard from the
chair, by the election of David Davis, was
last resort of the Republicans, not SO
much for the good Davis might do them
in the chair as for the purpose of obtain
ing his indirect aid in securing the rest
of the organization. By placicg him in
the chair and thereby rendering it proba-
BILE that he would withhold his vote the
tie is broken in favor of that side. Many
Democrats have held that Davis should
have been captured by making him their
candidate.
Cabinet talk still prevails and it is not
improbable that by the time this reaches
you the new Cabinet will be announced,
Secretary Lincoln, it is now positively
stated, is to remain in charge of the War
portfolio, and Frelinghuyson of New
Jersey to be Secretary of State. Judge
Folger of New York has been as positively
named for Secretary of the Treasury, but
he denies that the President has commu-
nicated with him on the subject. Mr..
Conkling, who was here some days, has
I now returned to New York, suffering
from his old malarial troubles and look
ing, as he was, sick man. He had sew
eral interviews with the President and it
is generally believed here that he could
have told who would constitute the new
Cabinet if he had pleased, as he doubtless
was consulted concerning it. Gen. Grant
is understood to be very bitter against
the anti-stalwart element and to advocate
general slaughter. Mr.. Conkling is re-.
ported as equally bitter but more polite.
: To illustrate how unforeseen events
: change personal fortunes, as well as to
show what the Grant influence is likely
, to be with the new Administration, I
> will mention one of the changes said to
be contemplated. Quartermaster Gener-
q al Meigs is to be retired, being over age,
and Col. ingalls,, friend of Grant, final
q y settled in the place. President Gar
held intended to appoint Col. Rockwell
to this position, but Guiteaus fatal bull
let came before it was done. After Gen.
} Garfield's death Mrs. Garfield wrote to
J President Arthur requesting that this
; wish of her dead husband might be full
, filled, as a reward TO his faithful friend.
} But letter from General Grant also came
urging the appointment of Ingalls,, which
, he said he had long wished, and the lat
J ter they say is to prevail.
Z---------.---
Sellers Liver Pills. have been the