South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-05-22
Our Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WAsnIEsroN, u. c., May 10.

WAsnIEsToE, ID. c., May 10.
1t 10 evident that the President has
concluded to disabuse the mind of
those Mugwumps who think that the
administration is to be run distinct
lively in their interest. That Mr..
Cleveland knows what he is about, is
az patent az anything in the line of
political manifestation can be known.
1t was expected that he would per-
form some acts of cot dcsceusion AS a
token OF Mugwumpian recognition,
but he never meant them as an iudi
cation that he intended TO submit
himself humbly TO the guidance of the
few independents who have arrog at ed
to themselves the whole credit OF Sc
curing Democratic ascendency in the
Government. Having, "a | have
SAID, concluded to keep himself aud
his administration perfectly untram-
meied by any presumed obligation TO
this small coterie of smaller politicians,
we may reasonably expect to zee tie
columns OF the New York Times aud
Harper's Weekly aud other dis
gruntled journals pouring ont their
walls of wrath upon the administra-
ton because of its attitude OF indie.
pendence. There has been, and stll
is. bitter feeling among many
Democrats becaIae the work of de.
CAPTIVATING Republicans in Office has
been siow. From the standpoint of
the office seeker that work has been
slow, but Mr.. Cleveland Is not the
President OF the otiice-seekers, and
the large number OF changes already
made ought TO be sufficient lndica-
ton of hisavowed purpose to go slow,
IA purpose more firmly adhered to be-
cause of the tremendous pressure that
has been brought upon HIM by these
piace-hunteTs have to say there.
fore that the President is determined
70 transact the public bushes. upon
business principles, and that the first
business is TO put Democrats in office
to transact it.
In digging over some rubbish at
the arsenal the other day, the cross
piece OF the gallows upon which Mrs.
Surratt WAS executed in 1865 came
to light to awaken some historical
recollections of that tragic period in
the life of our country. The opinion
that this terrible punishment should
not have been visited upon this wom-
an under the peculiar circumstances
OF her connection with the conspiracy
to assassinate the President, is now
entertained probably by large ma
Jorlty OF those who clamored for her
blood in the exiting time of her trial
and conviction by military commits.
sion. | went out to Mount Olivet
the other day to visit the grave OF this
unfortunate woman, whose resting
place is in secluded portion of the
cemetery. A simple stone with the
interruption Mrs Surratt' is all that
marks the spot There is no date of
birth or death, no linking Of her ter.
rible history, no fulsome epitaph TO
sound the praise. of friends or rela-
tlves, the ugh some kind hand had
recently srewn some choice flowers
upon the mound. 1t is said by those
who knew Mrs. Surratt well, that she
was the kindest Of mothers, q most
devoted wife, woman posses ed Of
more than ordinary intelligence, and
wholly incapable of performing the
part in the conspiracy which culmi-
mated in the death of President
Lincoln, for which Eer life was sacri.
feed. BE this as it may, it ia not
probable in this day and generation
that tie motives and intentions that
actuated her in becoming an accom-.
pllce therein, will ever he d scovered.
PHONO.