The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-09-10
WASHINGTON.
oUR SPECIAL LETTER.

WASHINGTON, u. c., Sept 3, 1881.
"My husband must live, he will live."
These words of Mrs. Garfield on being
informed 10y the physicians that the Pres
ident was in very critical condition last
Saturday morning, appear in u fair way
of realization. Should the President re-
cover they will 60 down to posterity as
prophetic.
The great subject Of conversation in
the capital continues to be the condition
of the man who has suffered for the ma
ton. This is the sentiment which per-
yades every heart, and cavses the intense
interest which las been excited in his
case. 1t is not the individual now who
felt the blow of the ass issin, but it is the
head Of every family throughout the en-
tire republic who has heen theoretically
struck down in the performance of his
duties. The latest information from the
White House comes laden with the cheer
ihB h0"o ehhI snS IIeeluohJ lS HOlulnS
his own, and there is already some
thought of moving him. To do this by
rail has received considerable atte nticn.
1t is proposed to put the patient upon q
palace car, ballasted with railway iron so
as to make it run smoothly, and place
the car in front of train so as to avoid
all dust and smoke. By travelling at
slow rate of speed it is thought that
scarcely any melton could be perceived.
1t is stated that Gen. Sherman has been
training some soldiers to march with
such evenness of tread that a tumbler of
water can be carried by them on bo,rd
without spilliDg drop. However this
may be, serious thoughts are now being
entertained of moving the President from
the White House. In this connection,
attention has been given to the manner
in which the functions of the Executive
shall be performed. There has been
considerable discussion in the Cabinet on
the subject. and one of the principal
points involved is whether there is con-
stitutional or legal authority for the ter
mination of the Vice Presidents assump-
tion of the Executive Office, after he shall
have been notified of General Garfeld's
recovery and his ability to discharge the
presidential duties. Among commenta-
tors on the Constitution there is but one
instance of an expression of opinion on
this point, and the language then is as
follows: II the Vice President should
succeed TO the Office of President he
"will continue in it until the regular ex-
"piration of the period for which the
president was chosen" This, in all
probability. refers to permanent vacancy
in the Office Of President, and the con-
tingency of a temporary disability does
not seem to have been thought of by the
trainers of the Constitution. The only
legal Plan thus fnr devised is that Presi.
dent Garfield should dclaim his tempor-
ary inability to perform the duties of the
Office, and thereupou Vice Pres't Arthur
shall assume the office of President until
that disability is removed. The idea
that the Vice President may be invited
to come to the White House and act as a
clerk to sign the name of James A. Gar
field is entertained by only two members
of the Cabinet, the Attorney General
(MacVeagh) and the Postmaster General
tJames). They say that a precedent is
found in the practice in existence for
many years where the Executive has ap-
pointed clerk to sign the Presidents
name to land warrants.
The near approach of the annual regat-
ia of the National Amateur Rowing As
sociation has given decided impetus to
the boating element of the District of
Columbia. Several of the clubs which
are to participate have already arrived
and are having some lively practice 1t
is quite an exciting scene upon the up
per Potomac every evening now, as the
river is crowded with boats, and the To-
cal clubs are putting forth every fort to
get themselves into the proper racing
time.
The saving to the Government by Pest
Master General James during his term of
office in about five months has already
reached the immense sum of 81 800, 900.
This has been accomplished, it is posi-
lively asserted, without detriment to the
postal service. This shows what can be
done by having a practical man at the
head OF aifalrs. AUGUST.