The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-01
TEE INTERIOR DEPlR gMEyg.
The Hush Of Applicants for posi;ions-ThS
Hargers-On OF the Indian Bareau-Lists
with Recommendations Being Prepared.
Marc

The Hush Of Applicants for Posi;ions-Thp
Hangers-On OF the Indian Bareau-I4ists
with Recommendations Being Prepared.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1S6o.s
Governor Cox, In his enlarged sphere OF public
duty Secretary OF the Interior, has already expe
rienced not only the annoyance and perpexities OF
his position but has been deeply impressed with the
intense patriotism OF an army OF hungry applicants
who camor to serve their country, and especially
within his jurisdiction Long before the usual hour
OF opening in the morning for business the sidewalks
steps ana colonnade on the main front of the De.
partment Of the Interior crowded with an
Impatient throng waiting for an opportunity
TO besiege the Secretary. During the delay thus
occasoned an occasional individual might be seen
hauling from his side pocket formidable envelope
and, diving into It, produce a bundle Of papers,
commentators and letters or Introduction. These
were carefully looked over, read and re-read, when
oeposltIng the IN his pockets with hands
behind MS back, he promenaded tnousht1uly ~ and
down, evidently congratulating himself that his
documents the best ald strongest TO be presented
that day. and therefore sanguine OF success. An
other strols OF TO convenient grOgshop ana buoys
his timorouS spirits by taking q little something
EACH Que ewes the other with glance OF intensified
curiosity, whica seems TO ask the question, Well
what Is that fellow afterr At nine O'Clock the
doors OF the building are thrown oper, and through
the narrow portals with nasty, businessike tread
the crowd makes ru5l Tor the entrance. The
efforts Of the door Waterman are poweries5 TO pre-
serve the ordinary decorum Of the place. and vale
| lie pOunces PARTICULARLY enthusiastic
sonage dozen take the opportunity 70 scramble for
the leadership. In this motley manner the anxious
party darts down tue corridors shy ing Oh at an acute
angle AT Its extremity until they reach TIE other side
oi the building where the terrible words secretary
OF the INTERIOR IN large letters over tue door remna
the besegers that they have reached the very doors
OF the citadel. at this moment IN proximity TO
the power which By . single stroke OF the
enthusiasm OF the crowd dcpTecIatcs. involuntariU
they move by The door, evidently contemplating their
prospects more seriously aud getting their courage
IA
awful dignltary himself. The ante-ropms and the
corridors now present scene OF anxious appli.
Giants for admission TO the Secretary, probably 70
his assistants. Cards are handed in by the pack.
Members OF Congress, taxing the precedence now
make their appearance, with one or two OF their
constituents also anxious TO serve their country,
and lind ready access TO the Secretary The crowd
opens. Time passes on and the steady Stream MOI Of
olrciais exhdusIs the lew hours devoted TO
tue public; me announcement Inn, cement Is given
visitors that day. The crowd with disappointed
mica, slowly disperses 10 make renewed EFFORT on
the next day. The clerks stl occupying their
positions evidently contemplate shaking up, and, IN
view OF the preearious tenure OF their urtner lease
OF ONCE, do not look upon these daily displays Of out
side pressure with much composure.
The business Of the Interior department Is divided
into four distinct bureaus, and has under its control
variety OF duties In addition TO a supervision over
the sale aud other matters connected with the
public lands, tho issue OF patents, the
of pensions. II also has control Of the Dis
trct police the Insane asylum and the business con-
trade Not only does ths department number about
200 employees OF al hinds for Office duty but there IS
additional force Of over 60O-registcrs receivers
ana clerks OF the Land ONCE fourteen supcrntend.
ents or governors, &c oNcio superntcndeuts, and
about $50 agents. sub-agentS aud others under the
direct control OF the Indian Bureau, and nearly
seventy pension agents FOR each OF these positions
there arc at least dozen applicants, and the Sccre
iary Is more than flooded with the claims OF each,
pressing the important iact that his papers are the
De3l.
The greatest competition is probably IN the Indian
n
crew, has now become perfect scene OF confusion
The prospects OF early change 10 the adnlnistra-
ton OF the office, so entirely necessary rom top to
bottom, has rallied an army OF seekers for place.
Tue surr0 findings or the lndaa ONCE, always novel,
at TINS timc with the fresh accessions OF numbers
and diversity OF characters. presents quite inter-
estlng picture OF the dierelt varieties OF frontier
men, with mixture of hafDTceds and patty OF
red warriors quite gayly decorated By the fancy
stores Of the national capital. In The Commits
sOner's room hair dozen particular friends
NAV be seen at any time during the day
talking Indian and smoking quite familiarity. In the
next room, occupied by the clerk, the lesser lights
c0ngregate, while the savages and debris st Ia the
anteroolns with their feet out OF the windows or
stretched QUE on the sofas, smoking aud sptting
TO mention a. proper person ~ oil The Commits
sonershtp the name or Ely Parker 10 sufficient 10
bring down the thunderbolts OF Indignation from
score OF friends OF tue present Irresponsible regime
The best recommendation the necessity OF
change can have IL the excitement occa-
stoned by any proposed change. 1t Is
early give hs attention - the necessary cleaD-
lug out and purifying Of this place Action "a ex-
pected TO be taken at an early day 10 cannot be too
early II the savages are TO be kept at peace. Lists
nov being male out OF tho status Il each person
connected With the respective bureaus aud bY whom
recommended. 4 number OF those now In the De
partnent are likely TO remain, especially those
dOrscd by republican Senators aud members OF the
present Congress. The secretary has announced
cases and WIN meet the heads OF bureaus m con.
sdltatloS.