Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-10-25

The President has returned from
his extended summer vacation and is
again occ upying the White House.
He looks robust and vigorous, tanned
by the sun, and reinvigorated by the
breezes from the mountains and the
ocean air of Newort. In fact he is
very different man from what he was
when he left here. About that time
your Correspondent was one day
showing the sights to some friends
and was led to the White House
about noon. There were only about
a dozen people present, and suddenly
the reception room was thrown open
and it became known that the Presi-
dent would receive the visitors. They
pressed forward and were formed in
to single file by the quiet, yet author
itative aid, and passed in silence be-
fore the Chief Executive, he taking
each one by the hand. 1t was noticed
at the time that his face was color
less, almost sallow. and he looked
weary and listless-:iust 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 atmos-
phere of Washington, 1t seems as
though anyone ought to be glad to
have him take rest and recuperate,
but nevertheless | notice that Mr..
Sam Randall, candidate for Speaker,
presumptory spokesman of the de-
mocracy, and himself a shadow out
line of a presidential 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 administrator 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 its particular
branch, and the political and official
work is districted off and placed in
the case Of chosen hands. This is, in
brief the Executives first years duty.
After this is done, and the machin-
cry is moving in perfect order, there
is very little need for the Presidents
presence in Washington. The rout-
inc goes on with little change. Now
and then vacancy occurs in office,
and continually the shifting political
and official interests require a word
to set them right. But as a matter
Of positive and recognized fact by
those who know, there is no impera-
tive reason why the President should
spend any Of his time in Washington
between the meetings of Congress af-
ter his first year of administration
With the complete Geographic sys-
TEN in vogue he can be every inch a
President in any part of this broad
country as we'll us he can if inhabit-
ing the White House. If the climate
of Washington is an unhealthy one
during a part Of the year, as is well
known it is, it is not only needless,
but it would be contrary to good
sense and to the generous sentiments
of the people, republican or demo-
cratic, to demand that the Chief Ex-
ecutive wrap himself in a cloud OF
malaria, and endure a shake of ague
every other day, i'll order to show his
appreciation of his high privileges.
But | have been led off into saying
more on this subject than intended.
Speaking of Randall, the combat in
which he is engaged deepens. He
has wonderful energy, and audacity
too for that matter. "The idea" said
politician the other day, "of Ran
dali asking the votes of Southern
members TO elect him Speaker. They
are all for free trade. He is the
elected servant of protective inter-
ests. And yet he is mixing this oil
and water together some way
"How does he do it p Grading
He knows the exact value of every