COL. LAMONT'S RETIREMENT

Daniel S. Lamont

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 8, 1889.

Col. Lamont's Retirement.

(Ex-Postmaster General Frank Hattan in Washington Post.)

   The item appropriating $6,000 to Col. Lamont, in addition to his regular salary as private secretary of President Cleveland, has been stricken from the Deficiency bill at the secretary's respectful but positive request. It was inserted with the best of intentions and as an expression of sentiment was a merited recognition of the services performed by Col. Lamont during the past four years in a most difficult and trying position. The motive of the proposed legislation he doubtless appreciates thoroughly and gratefully, but having entered on his duties with a full understanding and acceptance of the compensation attached, his honorable instincts compel him to a prompt declination of gratuities to which he feels that he is not entitled, and least of all by virtue of a retroactive law.

   If it were possible for Secretary Lamont to gain any higher place in the estimation of those with whom he has been brought in official contact, nothing could more largely enhance the respect that will accompany his retirement to private life than his conduct in this particular matter. It is a graceful and fitting climax to a career that has been characterized from the outset by courtesy of manner, discretion of judgment and uniform disposition to facilitate and promote the interests of all persons having legitimate business at the White House.

   It may be added also, without any derogation to any of his predecessors, that Secretary Lamont has given to his office a dignity, importance and popularity it has seldom enjoyed before. The best wishes that we can extend to Mr. Halford, wishes that we base upon a confident expectation—are that he may earn similar laurels and achieve the same distinguished measure of success.

THE CABINET.

Predictions of the Last Three Days Verified by the Result.

   WASHINGTON, March 5.—President Harrison to-day sent to the Senate the following nominations:

Secretary of State—JAMES G. BLAINE of Maine.

Secretary of the Treasury—WILLIAM WINDOM of Minnesota.

Secretary of War—REDFIELD PROCTOR of Vermont.

Secretary of Navy—BENJAMIN F. TRACY of New York.

Secretary of Interior—JOHN W. NOBLE of Missouri.

Postmaster-General—JOHN WANAMAKER of Pennsylvania.

Attorney-General—W. H. H. MILLER of Indiana.

Secretary of Agriculture—JEREMIAH M. RUSK of Wisconsin.

   The nominations were confirmed in a 10-minute open session of the Senate. Col. James R. Young, executive clerk of the Senate, proceeded to the While House about 2 o'clock this afternoon and delivered to President Harrison an official notice of the confirmation of his Cabinet by the Senate.

VIRGIL.

   Mr. Andrew Hutchings, 72 years old, another of Virgil's oldest residents, was buried on Sunday last. He has been sick for a number of years, but bore his trials without murmuring.

   Elder Purington has been to Pompey Center to officiate at the marriage of his niece.

   Mr. T. W. Ellis, of Sullivan Co. has been visiting at Aaron Overton's the past week.

   Mrs. Falk is sick with the pneumonia.

   Mrs. Nettie Webster, the wife of the late Henry A. Webster, has been visiting friends in town the past week.

   George Seamans is home on a short visit.

   The Good Templars have disbanded.

   Charles Hutchings is moving back on to his farm.

   David Sweet has moved to McLean.

   Ambrose Johnson has moved on to the Wm. Terpenning farm.

   Mr. Cotrell lost one of his horses last week.

   W. H. Hall has moved in with Mr. F. D. Freer.

   Price Rounds has hired Allen Smith's farm.

   The dance at Freer's hotel, for the benefit of the band, passed off very nicely, although the attendance was small. All seemed to enjoy themselves.
    We have a thriving farmer in our town who believes in prosperity and thorough team work, or else he would not have five horse kind [sic] to work his small place.

   Nelson Watrous is breaking a pair of colts for Harmon Sherar. They do not sleep while in the harness with Nelson. When he says "go" they get there.

   Mrs. Perkins has returned from her visit, where she has been caring for her grandchild.

   Mrs. Sally Crane is at Marathon visiting with her daughter.

   The roads are in a terrible condition, at present, making traveling almost impossible.

   John Mott has commenced his work for Richard Tyler, this being his second season with him.

   Wilbur Shults works at home this season.

   The sick are all improving as far as heard from, at present.

   Rumor says we have a man of some renown, who wants one of his family supported by the town.

   CUMMIN. [pen name]

EAST HILL.

   We have had our 13th surprise party at the residence of Juriel White and Wm. Carr. The roads were bad but the weather was fair so that every body invited wanted to go as it seems to be the last of the series. McGrawville and Cortland villages were well represented as would appear from the cutter tracks in the lots when the road was lost. The accommodations of the house and barn being so ample nobody was crowded. About 100 guests were served at the table. Music both vocal and instrumental was a very prominent feature of the evening, there being a piccolo, 3 violins, a cornet and a piano. Mr. and Mrs. Mat Wilson rendered some delightful music with their guitar and violin. In this work we hope no harm has been done. There $117.02 changed hands in the shape of some serviceable and beautiful presents. Mr. and Mrs. Carr and Mr. and Mrs. White were presented by Mr. Hinds, with a fine black robe, $2.85 in cash and the congratulations of their many friends by each couple making them a little speech. Great good has really been done as our roads have been kept open, so have our hearts. With many thanks for the patience you have shown your humble servant I bid you good bye.

Friday eve, March 1.

   X. Y. Z. [pen name symbol of correspondent—CC editor.]

PAGE TWO/EDITORIALS.

   Ithaca elected John Harden mayor last Tuesday by a majority of 6. This is the first mayor elected in the new city and democrats feel very jubilant over the result. The democrats also elect both of their city supervisors.

   For the next four years democratic newspapers can change places with republican papers and find fault with the administration. Possibly some of our republican friends will feel like scolding before the end of the four years.

   A good many republicans are not particularly pleased with the appointment of James G. Blaine to the first place in the cabinet. That Blaine intends to run the administration goes without saying. Whether he will succeed or not remains to be seen. If he don't succeed he will be likely to make things uncomfortably warm for some one.

   It is a very noticeable fact that in his cabinet appointments, President Harrison has ignored the Southern and extreme Western Stales entirely. The California papers are very indignant over their treatment and the Southern republicans do not feel particularly pleased over the situation. While Harrison may have succeeded in pacifying the Miller and Platt elements in this State it is believed that he hasn't strengthened himself in other parts of the country. Outside of Blaine there are no strong men in the cabinet, and it is quite possible that he will prove too strong for it.