Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
The New Secretary OF the Navy-A
Lull Among Southern ONCE Hun
tsrs-Dr. FELTON, and the COmmIs-
siOnership OF AgricuIture-TheS Sa-
Vannah River improvements.

WASHINGTON. March 21.-The new Secretary
of the Navy lives on the same street where
your humble servant does his sleeping and
eating Our street is not very fashionable.
The residents of it are Of the solidly comfort
able class. Mr.. Hunt used to be Of that class,
but now he is very fashionable He is now one
OF the men most sought after in the national
capital. His house is a very nice one, and he
is very courteous and polished gentleman.
-Four weeks ago the street did not think very
much Of him. Now the street dotes on him. He
promises to carry US into the ultra-fashionable
section of the city, upon the borders of which
we have been hanging for two years past. The
changes brought about by the present official
position of Mr.. Hunt is one of the
best illustrations in the matter of official
prestige that ever came under my observa-
Ton; ton when hen he was a plain Judge Of the
Court OF Claims, nobody thought about him.
Even our street, which is lacking in 6ignitaries
did not look upon him as anybody to be proud
OF. mere never was, except on rare occa-
SlonS, carriage before his door. He was not
much better in the discriminating eyes OF our
street than the average government enploye
Now 1t is all changed Our street is proud to
enroll among It's residents Cabinet officer; it
wonders THAI it did not before recognize the
greatness of MIR. Hunt. And then, now that he
Is Secretary of the Navy, he enlivens our here
tofore somewhat dull locality. Few
ago, but now hundreds are after
hum. When he is away at his office Mrs Hunt
is called upon by ladies Of the upper social
circle who few short days ago would not have
thought of recognizing her. There is a stream
of carriages driving up to and away from her
door at every hour when it is fashionable to
call Women in the richest dresses that
money cen buy step out and pay her court
When DIR. Hunt is home from the depart
meat the man begin to call. They keep il up
til nine or ten O'Clock in the evening Our
street is becoming almost moving pageant
OF gay equipages and swell footmen and
drivers We appreciate it all. and indulge in
sundry reflections about the men we thought
nothing of yesterday, but who are to-day
character are also induced when we
see an ex Cabinet Minister is passed
by in the streets now without
even a salute from those who few short
weeks ago were bowing before him and asking
his favor or influence. There is nothing like
this republic of ours. AS soon as the dog is
dead we give him a kick and dance attendance
upon his successor.
A LULI.
There is a luI among the Southern Office
hunters. Msny Of them have left town, con-
viuced of the fact that Garfield wants none of
their crowd. Only the hotels are the better
off for their coming But some Of them linger
Prominent among those who still stav around
is Collector Clarke. He:hastened to Washing
ton when he read in the News that there were
scalpers after him. He stays here and is try
ing to work up retention boom. He don't
seem to be very much encouraged. Raum,
who has been his staunchest defender, is not
as warm as he was. Raum, who
wants to retain his position as
Commissioner of fInternalRSvenue, don't know
exactly that he had better rush indiscrimi-
nately into campaign in hehaf of Clarke or
anybody else. There may be 8 contingency in
which he will want to orgrnize all his forces in
behalf of himself. Hence he goes not to the
defense Of Clarke. The latter will remain here
sometime, it is understood, watching events.
He labors under one disadvantage. He can't
find out exactly who and what Influences are
filed paper for reappoiHtment as Marshal
continues with u.s. do not think that he has
much idea Of getting the place. He certainly
watches things closely, but does not seem to
enter into the spirit of the contest as one who
expected that he stood even possible chance
Of success. Perhaps he is max
idg one OF those still-hunts for
which our uncle Samuel. of Gramercy Park, is
famous. take it. however, that he is the mere
anxious as to making the acquaintance and
getting into the good graces Of whoever may
be the most probable candidate than he Is In
urging forward his own claims.
DIR. FELTON,.
1t seems apparent at the present writing that
the eminent political divine DIR. FELTON,, would
have to search around fer some other public
berth than that OF Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, to succeed our national fraud, LIE Due.
The Doctor does not seem to have the inside
track, despite all that he has done for the Re-
publican party. He does not seem to strike
Mr.. Garfield as one of the men with which to
break the South. who he is looking around
for in the distribution Of the public
patronage. The Doctor missed It in not having
MehoRe-like opportunity. It seems as If DR..
Loring of Massachusetts, would be made
Commissioner of Agriculture It is reported
tonight that the nomination Of Loriug to this
place will go to the Senate tomorrow or next
day. If this be true let DIR. FELTON, pick out an
other and less national position and make
break for it. He certainly deserves something
II the Republican party does not in some way
reward him for services rendered it deserves to
go down to history as monument of ingrati-
tude
TIE SAVANNAH HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS.
1t is well known that the House, in passing
the river and barbor bill, only put in it a plea
yune appropriation of S25, coo for improving
Savannah harbor The increase finally passed
was due principally to Senator Brown The
appropriation of S250, 600 was intended, it was
stated in the bill, to complete the improve
ments at Savannah. A member Of the Com
merce Committee tells pretty good story
about Senator Brown when the Increase was
the committee after it had decided to put in the
item as it finally passed: Even this we do not
intend as q completion Of the work We ex-
pect to get q million dollars more from this
government We are determined that such a
necessary and important work shall be COM
pIeted on the scale il deserves" and then, n,con-
finued the gentleman whom quote: Brown
tional amendment directing the Secretary of
War te cause the necessary surveys and esh-
mates to be maie, with 8 view to securing a
channel of twenty-five instead of sixteen feet,
as contemplated when the work OF improve
ment was commenced. POTOMAC.