Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-10-29
WASHINGTON LETTER.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THEMoN1ToR
WashinqtOn, October %.

again occupying the white house.
He looks robust and vigorous, tan
ned by the sun, and the ocean air of
Newport. In fact he is a very differ
ent man from what he was when he
left here. About that time your cor
respondent was one day showing the
sights to some friends and was led to
the white house about noon. There
were only about dozen people pres
ent, and suddenly the reception room
was thrown open and it became
known that the president would re-
ceive the visitors. They pressed for
ward and were formed into single file
by the quiet, yet authoritative aid,
and passed in silence before the chief
executive, he taking each one by the
hand. 1t was noticed at the time
that his face was colorless, almost
sallow, and he looked weary and list
less-just the air of one run down in
health. 1t was a simple and evident
fact that he was tired out with work
and anxiety, and perhaps somewhat
Frustrated by the hot weather and
the facilitating atmosphere of Wash
ington. 1t seems as though anyone
ought to be glad to have him take rest
and recuperate, but nevertheless [
notice that Mr.. Sam. Randall, candi-
date for speaker, presumptory
spokesman of the democracy, and
himself a shadowy outline of presi-
dental candidate, thinks, in his
Pittsburg speech, that the conduct of
President Arthur, in being away this
summer, is just too awful for belief.
AS to the Presidents absence from
Washington it will perhaps interest
your readers to know something
about its disadvantages, if any.
When an administration first comes
in the chief executive has important
political work to do. During the
first year the ''policy'' is outlined and
the people to whom the direction of
affairs is entrusted are selected. The
cabinet assumes each it's particular
branch, and the political and official
work is districted off and placed in
the care of chosen hands. This is,
in brief, the executives first years
duty. After this is done, and the
machinery is moving in perfect Or
der, there is very little need for the
presidents presence in Washington.
The routine goes on with little
change. Now and then a vacancy
occurs in office, and continually the
shifting political and official interests
require word to set them right.
But as matter of positive and rec
ognized fact by those who know,
there is no imperative reason why
the president should spend any of his
time in Washington between the
meetings of congress after his first
year of administration. With the
complete telegraphic system in vogue
he can be every inch a president in
any part of this broad country as
we'll as he can if inhabitlng the white
house. If the climate of Washing
ton is an unhealthy one during q
part of the year, as is well known il
is, it is not only needless, but il
would be contrary to good sense ano
to the generous sentiments of the
people, republican or democratic, te
demand that the chief executive wraI
himself in a cloud of malaria, anC
endure shake of ague every othel
day, in order to show his apprecia
ton of his high privileges.
But | have been led off into saying
more on this subject than I intended
Speaking of Randall, the combat il
which he is engaged deepens. HI
has wonderful energy, and audacit,
too for that matter. 1.-The idea
said a politician the other day, SO
Randall asking the votes of south
ern members to elect him speaker
They are all for free trade. He i
r the elected servant of protective in
l terests. And yet he is mixing thi
y oil and water together some way.
s'How does he do it?' Grading
He knows the exact value of ever
office in the gift of the speaker Thi
is his capital stock. He sells thel
for votes, or for :Sinfuence" as th
u term goes. Now our southern friend
are rich in political principles, bt
: they are awfully poor in political O.
. fees. would not be bit surprise
. if margin of free trade were to /
. snapped for few little offices, jul
e enough to satisfy the clamorous bl
also enough to elect Mr. Randa
II speaker, Notwithstanding that l
70 does not represent, politically, I'll
- votes which will elect him.
o. 1t is thought that the publication of Il
). list Of pensioners and claimants will n
save the Government much in the lol
le run. The Commission reports 49,
IN applicants for arrears of pensions al
Il 100000 for current pensions. The amou
paid claimants under the present syste
s. has been reduced from 81 300 to 81, 4(
h. but now the agents have advised t
claimants to demand from FIVE hundr
40 to thousand dollars more.