The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-23
WASHINGTON.

/ WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The cabinet
to-day, through Secretary Blaine, rendered
their designations to President Arthur at a
Cabinet meeting at the Capitol after the
President was sworn in. The act was ac-
| companfed by an expression of the warm
est sentiments of personal regard, ana the
| President was given to understand that the
members of the cabinet desired only to re-
/ lieve him of all embarrassment without re-
gard to past political events The Presi
| dent without formality, said that he did
not desire to accept the rendered resigna-
tions, and would esteem it personal favor
if they would continue in the discharge of
their duties The condition of public bus
mess and the sensitiveness of the public
mind in view of the recent great National
bereavement, warrant him in asking this
| indulgence at their hands. Blaine assured
the President that he could depend upon
| them to use their best efforts to tranquilize
the country and to aid him
in the performance of his duties in the
present trying circumstances. In declin-
ing to accept the resignation President
Arthur did not commit himself to anything
definite He remarked that under the
present distressing circumstances, he
could not be expected to give attention to
national affairs, or any thought regarding
the selection of his advisers. His request
was that the present Cabinet continue in
discharge of their duties, leaving the ques-
ton of resignation until he can decide
what is best to do.
| 1t is understood, however that the res
ignations have not been formally declined
or accepted, but the cabinet simply cOntin-
ues to discharge duties until more suita-
BILE time arrives for decision of the question
of their retention. 1t may be safely said
that before the close of next week, proc
lamation will be issued by the President
calling the Senate in executive session.
The time fixed will be later than the 18th
OF october. 1t is understood that the
President was advesre to calling the ses-
sion but has yielded to the weight of Sen
atorial opinion, which has been freely ex-
pressed yesterday and to-day.
Arthur was determined not to reside in
the White House, at least tor several
months and viii continue to make Jones
house his home. The Senator's family is
on the Pacific coast. He will not be in
| Washington until January and the Presi-
dent has accepted his house as residence
until that time, Jones remaining as his
guest. The White House viii be thoroughly
overhauled and refitted so far as to make it
suitable for the public Office of the Presi
dent Arthur will not again leave Wash
ington excepting possibly for day in
New York, until meeting of the Senate
A great press of purely executive business
awaits his action. There are, besides, i'm
portant appointments to be made, especi
ally in the army and navy, seven
vacancies on the retired list of the former,
and several in the latter service. The
vacancy ON the Supreme Bench is an ur-
gent case for executive action.
Senator DAVIS called upon the President
to- day He strongly advised the calling of
of an executive session. In conversation,
he pointed out that no political result
would be affected by the early session.
The Senate is now Democratic, but no more
so than it will be in December. There
could be in his judgment no doubt that
Democratic Senator would be elected
President of the Senate. He thought law
and custom required q President before
any Senator could be properly sworn in