Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-03-16

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SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Wednesday, March 10, 1881
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER,
wAsHnaIos, d, O., March u, 1881

wAsHIsaTos, d, O., March ~, 1881.
The new Administration II fairly started
upon Its career, having been ushered 10
With more parade, enthusiasm, aud good
feelings than any administration for years
The Cabinet. Of which opinions have been
already freely expressed, IL generally re-
garded as polite and by no means week
IN Its composition, Mucl. has been writ
ten In the daily press about the dlssalls'
faction OF Senators Conkling and Cameron
but this an nearly ~ l can ascertain, ID
mostly sensational, A careful analysis
Of the Cabinst does not reveal prepon'
derance OF any OF the elements that are
said to DO more or less antagonistic' IL
IL not q blaine Cabinet nor an anti'biaine
Cabinet, but II lisa GARFIELD Cabinet. In
fact II appears from dlsinterested stand
point, that the President has 30 nicely
balanced the different interests that oil the
factions must DO satisfied OF his Intention
10 deal fairly with them, while holding
himself In q position to play them on
against each other and provide FOR his
own reconciliation In 1884, The Cabinet
Is thus the work OF an experienced ana
acute politician, and Is well received oy
the country. How these various elements
will work together Is another question
The friction does not come 80 much over
these appointments as over those wh'ch
must be made later on. One thing alone
stands out prominently In the makeup OF
the Administration, and that Is that west
ward the Star of empire takes Its way
Mr.. Conkllng may have wished TO name
a SECRETARY Of the Treasury from New
York, but he cannot complain when he mas
a friend for Postmaster General instead
Mr.. Cameron doubtless wanted to have
some voice In fixing Pennsylvania rep
resentation also, but he cannot reasonably
complain that his own brothcr.in-law Nils
the place, especially when he Is so good q
brother.in.law as Wayne Mcveagh,
At the very outset the President and his
advisers are called upon to grabble with
important questions. The situation be-
tween the Treasury Departments and the
national banks, growing out Of the action
Of the later pending consideration OF the
funding bill In Congress, and the question
whether an extra session Is advisable,
are matters that have occupied the serious
attention Of the Cabinet. The bulldozlng
tactics Of the banks In surrendering legal
tenders and withdrawing their circulation
worked we'll enough while Congress was
In the way, but now that they want 70
take It all back, there Is some doubt
whether 1t Is just the thing to let them 40
80. Considering On extra session OF Con-
gress, there are many considerations fav'
orable to 1t. Senators Edmunds and Conk'
ling and Secretary Window are OF the
opinion that one should be called, as
are also many others Of the party leaders,
but Secretary Blaine and the President
have not yet committed themselves.
think however, it may be regarded as toll
crably certain that session will be con-
vened about the 18th Of May. The impor'
lance of passing refunding measure that
will save the 100000 per month differ
ence in interest, together with the SET
Element of questions relating to apportlon'
ment and the desire to promptly organ
ize the two houses in the interests OF the
party, are the principal considerations
operating in favor of the third called ses'
sion.
The Senate confirmed promptly the ap'
pointments sent in so far, and has spent
the rest Of the time in caucussing over re-
organic alton. So long as the Republican
vacancies remain untitled the Democrats
haye had control, but with the seats filled
there is an element Of uncertainty in the
situation. Judge Davis 1t is now under
stood will vote with the Democrats, and
has been awarded the craftsmanship OF the
Judiciary Committees. But. If Senator
Malone comes down from the fence and
lands on the Republican side there will be
tie, and Vice President Arthur willthrow
the organization into the hands Of bis
party. Several well-known faces are miss
ed from the Senate chamber since March
1, and among them some Of the ablest
and most respected members Of that body.
This is especially true Of the Democratic
side. Chief among them is Senator Thur
man. Friends and foe agree that the
country has produced few larger or better
men than he. He Is great lawyer, and
has been an honest, useful legislator
always consistent Democrat. He spoke
the truth the other evening when he said
that he was brought up in school that
really believed what he said. However
people may differ as to the soundness OF
Mr.. Thurman's political views, 1t must be
admitted that he has always been an
honest and hard hitter in their behalf. His
efforts on questions Of legislation, especi-
ally those involving the relations Of the
Government with great corporations, have
been OF inestimable value. However
efficient and worthy his successor may be
the country parts with regret with Senator
Thurman-a strong, vigorous, homes t,
kindly man, whose weakness has, like
the weaknesses Of other great men, be en-
the result Of his ambition for the Presi-
dency. He Is now an old man and not
likely to return to any very active post in
public life. ......'. .,.. Do
Senator Eaton Is another who will be
missed Thar ia a pood deal Of affection