Morning journal and courier., 1883-03-24
CORRESPONDENCE.

O0E W8Sn1mKB0n LoCtoE-S0n&tof Logan
 President Arthur-A Ridiculous "Con-
 traption''-Receas, David Davis, Civil
 servies Reform, the New BuiIdtng of
 the Pension Bureau, etc., etc.
 WASHINGTON, D. 0, March 21. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
 I heard a political rumor the other day that should characterize as absurd, did not know from long experience that it is very foolish to apply the word to anything so er ratio as the course of politics. The rumor was that the Hon. John A. Logan is to be the nominee of the Republican party in the next presidential election! What have we done to deserve srch a fate as that? I pre- sume it is so well known that the honorable Senator's utterances have to be carefully re- vised by skillful linguist before they are permitted to appear in the ReessG, that, cannot be accused of ''telling tales out of school' when aIlude to his ungrammatical tendencies. Of his coarseness and absolute vulgarity, one can learn from anyone who has been in his presence for even few min utes. During the last Congressional recess he made trip through the western States and territories, and visited a number of h. dian agencies. The trip has been productive of much good in that several of the most useless of them have been Topped of. and the appropriations for others reduced to an amount bearing some semblance of reason. On the trip he was accompanied by several gentlemen, from one of whom learn that his coarseness was too much for even the frontier teamsters (whose nerves are not con sidered very high strung, as rule) and that the Senator's sallies of wit CD were received by the whole party with absolute silence. It would be edifying to see such man put for- ward as the chief representative of the ma tion, would it not? The diplomats who are accredited to the government in various ca- pacities are chosen with reference to their fitness, and the tests applied are crucial in- deed. Therefore they would feel themselves justly insulted if they were compelled to sub init to the vulgarity and coarseness that is too much for even the toughest of the ma tives. cannot believe that such a rumor can be more than rumor, and, though it is an open secret that Logan has aspirations that way, for one do not believe that it will ever blossom into reality. To my mind Senator Logan's greatest claim on the people is based on the fact that he has consistently and effectively endeavored to reduce the f'or- namental" branches of the army and navy, and has tried to keep officers out of civilians places and in their proper posts of duty.
 President Arthur who has been for some time suffering from a troublesome catarrhal affection, contemplated 8 trip to Fortress Monroe and Old Point Comfort, but he finds himself so much better and so overcrowded with business that he has about abandoned that idea, and will, it is said, very soon reoc- cupy his cottage at the Soldiers Home. He has never seemed to be over fond of the White House, nor can one blame him for wishing to get away from it and back to his pleasanter quarters. The location of the Home is most delightful, the distance only just great enough to make the drive from and to it thoroughly enjoyable, and yet it is sufficiently far away to ensure reasonable privacy. I cannot but think that the Presi- dent has worn very much during the past year. When first saw him, not long after he assumed the duties of President, thought I had rarely seen better preserved finer looking specimen of middle aged gentle fl man than he. I saw him not long since, riding through the Smithsonian Park, and the change in his appearance struck me at once. He seemed to be stouter than he was 8 year ago, but his flesh had soft look about it that didn't like, and there was an appa- rent look of anxiety that was not pleasant. It couldn't have been caused by any nervous ness as to his mount, for he is too good a horseman to have-the least anxiety when once
  from mental perturbation.
 The Critic, the Star-routers' organ, has cast some nasty asperslons on President Ar thurs character lately, but no decent person can give the slightest credence to the utter ances of 8 sheet so vile that 1t does not hesi tate to use the lowest, most contemptible methods of trying to make the characters of others es black as those of it's patrons.
 Poor MT. Folger finds it impossible to shake of his illness, though he has made sev- eral heroic efforts to resume his duties in the Treasury.
 Speaking of the Treasury reminds me of the movable vault that is used to convey bonds, notes, etc., from the Bureau of Print ing and Engraving to the Treasury depart ment and Uice 0eTsG. It is 8 most ridiculous ''contraption," and to see it going about the streets one would think that Washington was in the hands of banditti or horde of guer- illas before whom the worst of the Italian or Morgan schools sink into insigni6cance. It is about ten feet long, six feet high and four feet wide, is made of iron or steel and mounted on 8 running gear strong enough for ten ton gun. It is drawn by pair of strong Clyderdales, and carefully watched by the driver, one watchman who sits alongside the driver, and two more who stand on a knife-board at the back. None of the at- tendants can open it, for the keys are kept at the termini of it's journey. No doubt it's contents would be very nice haul for cracksman, but it does seem as if one half of the force could conduct it safely over the road.
 The usual recess desolation has fallen on Washington. There is conspicuous lack of hustle and confusion along Pennsylvania ave- nue, and 1t would now be an easy matter to throw base ball in that thoroughfare with out knocking over Congressman or two They are nearly all gone. Speaker Keller went West to attend the funeral of his broth er-in-law, for whom he had procured judge ship, but will return before long. By the way, the ex-Speaker certainly did the square thing by his relatives, even to those on the wife's side; and the fact isn't going to help him very much either.
 Ex-President of the Senate pro ten. David Davis is actually married at last. He passed through Washington on his wedding trip and he and his wife took breakfast at the Balti- more and Potomac depot. The darkey who waited on them was told who they were and remarked: ''Well, boss, dey'se got mighty good appetites fur a new-married couple"
 The Civil Service commission has at last found quarters with which it's members ex- press themselves as satisfied. They are in the Court House, that stands in Judiciary Sduare facing Al street. about three squares