The Republican journal., 1881-05-26
President Garfield's Administration.


The abolition of the unit rule, the defeat of the
third term project. the establishment of the prin-
ciple of district representation at Chicago and the
reatfrmance at Washington to day of the consti-
tutional right of the President to nominate to the
Senate and TO have such nomination considered
by the Senate, are hopeful evidences Of the dawn
ing of brighter day in politics, when independ-
| ence OF thought and independence of action may
be exercised within the party by any loyal member
thereof without the certainty of death beneath the
wheels of the political juggernaut. When that
day comes and not till then we shall have what
you and every other good citizen has long and
| earnestly desired-government by the people.
| Judge RobertsOns speech at Albany May 18th.
The Chinese warfare of Conkling and
his followers their beating of tom-to toms,
sounding Of hewgags and throwing of
stink pots has for me diverted pub
lie attention from the administration of
President Garfield. The words of Judge
Robertson, above quoted, furnish not on
ly a suitable text for a review of what
has been accomplished by the President
and Cabinet since the fourth of March
last, but show the progressive spirit OF
the Republican party-a progress which
is crushing boSSiSm beneath Juggernaut
wheels and aiming at truly representa-
tive government: a government of the
people, by the people and for the people.
AS President Garfield was universally
conceded to possess every qualification
for his high otfice-the only apprehension
being as to bis rigidity of backbone and
that fear having been set at rest by re-
cent developments seems hardly ne
cessary to say more OF him than that he
is meeting the expectations of his friends
and we'll Wishers and proving himself to
be the right man in the right place. 1t
is safe to predict that his administration
will be one Of the wisest and best the
country Las ever had.
Mr.. Window, the new Secretary of the
Treasury, assumed his office under some
what embarrassing circumstances. \
Democratic Congress, in attempting to
bulldoze the national banks, had thrown
serious obstacles in the way of retunding,
just as d large amount Of five and six
per cent. bonds were coming due. and
were to be provided for. Then. the pub
lie naturally doubted whether a successor
to Secretary Sherman could be found who
could manage the national finances with
equal ability. But even Secretary Sher-
man could not have solved the problem
presented more successfully than Secre-
tary Window has done. About 81 900
600 OF the bonds Will be paid outright
from the surplus revenue, and the re-
malnder extended at 81 per cent. inter
est, while retaining the privilege of pay
ing these bonds at the convenience of the
Treasury. saving of over 1000, 600
annually in interest has thus been effect
ed, the public debt reduced many mil
llons and per cent. is now the highest
rate paid by the government on its bonds
All this has been accomplished by Secre-
tary Window in little more than two
MONTHS and that he has been able to do
so much shows not only his fitness for the
place but the strong hold the new adj
mnistratlon has upon public confidence
Secretary Blaine's vigorous intellect, ey-
ecutive ability, and zeal in behalf of the
industrial interests OF the country, have
already been manifested in the State De
partment. When he assumed his duties
he found in existence a concerted move
ment on the part Of dealers on the other
side OF the Atlantic to drive American
food products from European markets.
The large and growing exports of Ameri-
can swine bid fair to be entirely suspend
ed because of untounded reports concern
ing the existence in this country of hog
cholera and trchinosis. The investiga-
tons made by direction of the State De-
partment, through its agents at home
and Consuls abroad, exposed the talsitv
OF these statements and fully indicated
the American hog. The Secretary Of
State has also taken a strong stand in
the protection and defence of the privi-
leges of naturalized citizens. and has
| shown himself alive, as when on the floors
OF Congress, to the necessity of regaining
our lost carrying trade and placing our
shipping interest on a paying basis.
The following statement of the net an
nual saving in the cost of the star route
and steamboat mail service, under the
administration of Postmaster General
James, epitomizes a volume of commend
alton: March $2l5, 400; April Ss4 ,53l :;
May lst to 18th $ll2,Ol3; total S4I2,-
OBI. This saving has been effected with
out in any way gripping the service or
curta'llng its efficiency. Nor is this ALL
The Postmaster General has brought to
light the star route frauds ignored or
condoned 10y Democratic Congress, and
with the assistance of Attorney General
McNeagh is pressing the Investigations
with the determination of furnishing the
guilty parties, whoever or wherever they
may be.
Secretary of War Lincoln has reorgan-
lied the Army Divisions, by which re-
duction of expenses is secured without
reducing the efficacy of the army, and he
has taken steps looking to increasing it's
efficiency by breaking up the system of
| favoritism which has kept certain officers
on ornamental duty in the cities, while
others were permanently exiled to from
tier posts. Secretary of the Navy Hunt
has undertaken a similar reform, and
| Secretary Kirkwood Of the Interior is
managing the affairs of that department
in an eminently satisfactory manner. In
| all the Departments retrenchment and
reform are the orders of the day, and the
| CO. ~,