The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-17
Washington Letter.
WASHINGToN, March u. 1881.

WASHINGTON, March -, 1881.
The new Administration is fairly
started upon it's career, having been
ushered in with more parade, enthusi-
asn, and good feeling than any admin
islration for years. The Cabinet, of
which opinions have been already
freely expressed, is generally regarded
as polite aud by no means weak in its
composition. Much has been written
in the daily press about the dissatisfac-
ton of Senators Conkling and Cam
eron, but this, as nearly as can ascer-
tain, is mostly sensational. A careful
analysis of the Cabinet does not reveal
a preponderance ofany of the elements
that are said to be more or less antago-
nistic. 1t is not Blaine Cabinet nor
an anti-Blaine Cabinet, but it is
Garfield Cabinet. In fact it appears,
from disinterested standpoint, that
the President has so nicely balanced
the different interests that all the fac
tions must be satisfied of his inten-
ton to deal fairly with them, while
holding himself in position to play
them off against each other and pro-
vide for his own denomination in 1884.
The Cabinet is thus the work of an
experienced and acute politician, and
is we'll received by the country. How
these various elements will work to-
gether is another question. The fric-
ton does not come so much over these
appointments as over those which
must be made later on. One thing
alone stands out prominently in the
makeup of the Administration, and
that is that" Westward the star of en-
pire takes its way" Mr.. Conkling
may have wished to name Secretary
of the Treasury from New York, but
he cannot complain when he has a
friend for Postmaster General instead.
Mr.. Cameron doubtless wanted to have
some voice in fixing Pennsylvania's
representation also, but he cannot rea-
sonably complain that his own broth
er-in-law fills the place, especially
when he has so good brother-in-law
as Wayne McVeagh.
At the very outset the President and
his advisers are called upon to grapple
with important questions. The situ-
alton between the Treasury Depart
ment and the National Banks. grow
ing out of the action of the latter pend
ing consideration of the funding bill
in Congress, and the question whether
an extra session is advisable. are mat
ters that have occupied the serious at
tentiOn of the Cabinet. The bull doz-
ing tactics of the banks in surreudering
legal tenders and withdrawing their
circulation worked we'll enough while
Congress was in the way, but now that
they want to take it all back, there is
some doubt whether it is just the thing
to let them do so. Concerning an extra
session of Congress, there are many
considerations favorable to it. Sena-
tors Edmunds and Conkling and Sec
retary Window are of the opinion that
one should be called, as are also many
others of the party leaders, but Secre-
tary Blaine and the President have not
yet committed themselves. / think,
however, it may be regarded as tolera-
bly, certain that session will be con-
vened about the 18th of May. The
Importance of passing refunding
measure that will save the $l,O00,0OO
per month difference in interest, to-
gether with the settlement of questions
relating to the pportionment and the
desire to promptly organize the two
houses in the interests of the party,
are the principal considerations op-
Grating in favor of called session.
The Senate confirmed promptly the
appointments sent in so far, and has
spent the rest of the time in caucussing
over reorganization. So long as the
Republican vacancies remained un-
filled the Democrats have had control,
but with the seats all filled there is an
element of uncertainty in the situa-
ton. Judge Davis, it is now under
stood, will vote with the Democrats,
and has been awarded the chairman
ship of the Judiciary Committee in the
new M Ike of the committees. But if
Senat II Malone come down from the
FENCE and lands on the Republican
side there will be = tie, and Vice Pres
ident Arthur will throw the organiza-
tion into the hands of his party.
Several Well known faces are missed
from the Senate chamber since March
| 4, and among them some of the ablest
and most respected members of that
body. This is especially true Of the
Democratic side. The fortunes of war
them is Senator Thurman. Friend
and foe agree that the ecountry has pro-
duced few larger or better men than he.
He is a great lawyer, and has been an
honest, useful observation-disclosures con-
sistent Democrat. He spoke the truth
the other evening when he said that
he was brought up in Il school that
really believed what it said. However
people may differ as to the soundness
of Mr.. Thurman's political views, ii
must be admitted that he he has al
ways been an honest and hard hitter
in their behalf His efforts on ques.
tions of Legislation, especially those IN
volving the relations of the Govern
ment with great corporations, have
been of inestimable value. However
efficient aud worthy his successor may
be, the country parts with regret with
Senator Thurman-a strong, vigorous
honest, kindly man, whose weaknesses
have, like the weaknesses of other
great men, been the result of his am
bition for the Presidency. He is now
an old man, and not likely to return
to any very active post in public life.
Senator Eaton is another who will
be missed. There is good deal of af-
fection felt for this rough old diamond.
Honest men love an honest opponent