Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-28
Letter from Washington.
IrRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. "a, 1872.
AN OLD GAME RFING RETIRED

Az CLb NAhE BEINN hs- Tried
Now that the smoke has lifted from the battle
field, and the history of the late reform move
meut' can be faithfully written, thoughtful
minds are attentively scanning the present sit
uation, and asking themselves, What next?
Already are the elements at work, set in motion
by the disappointed coalition, especially the
democratic side of it, to gain foi themselves the
spoils which they claim should come as reward
for effective aid given by them IN the November
election. The same effort is being made by am
bilious men in the ranks of the opposition, TO
make themselves and their party capital by
gaining the confidence of the president they
have been unable to defeat, that was made 10
secure Andrew johnson when he accidentally
came into power. To this end Grants acts are
commended, wise counsel adroitly given, and
he is kindly pattcd on the shoulder and told
by these men that the interests of the
republic, indeed its continuance, depend
now upon his future course; old time democrat
&c politicians quietly admit that as an organiza-
ton they have gone to the wall, and to the con-
sentative element of the republican parity with
him as its exponent, the future interests of the
government are entrusted, This is the line
adopted by them. The same game that has been
so successfully tried in the past is being played
again, to get if possible new lease fpower by
the treachery Of man elected by the party rep
reSenting the most progressive thought of the
the day, Though his betrayal Of its interests
aud purposeS-in fine, by coaescing with tue
democrats who claim that they have stood by
him and will do SO in the future if respectful
consideration is given to their aims and de-
sires. This is an old scheme, and has succeeded
before, but the man upon whom fit is to be
tried this time is made of different material
from that of the men who have succumbed TO
such influences. The president listens quietly,
inspires hope by his imperturbable silence when
silence is his winning card; but when the time
for action comes there is never a shadow OF
turning. They will meet with the same
| discontinue that that large class of croakers
did, who insisted when Gen. Grant was first
nominated that he would betray the party
electing him, and in two years would be in
full sympathy with the democrats. Loyalty,
both to principle and friends, is one of the
prominent characteristics of this man, and TO
betray either would be TO him moral impos.
sbity.
WHAT WILL BE DIsCussED-THE MESSAGE.
The president is busy with his message, and
great interest is felt in regard to its recommend
ations; he has proved to be right in regard to
opinions opposed by his advisers so many times,
that they have come to accept his views on sub
jects he discusses without the criticisms once
made. He has come to be looked upon as au-
thority when really advancing opinions upon
any subject. 1t is said by those near the presi-
dent that he will take strong ground in favor of
raising salaries of government officials in his
forthcoming message. This action is recon.
mended 10 congress each year by the heads of
departments, and each year no notice is taken
of il; IT'S question that ought long ago to
have received consideration from body of
men who were so amenabie to the argument,
when offered concernin. their own pay.
INCREASE OF OFFICIAL SALARIES.
The committee of appropriations are bcset
every session with appeals, memorials and
recommendations from all sources for legisla-
ton upon this subject, and its course has uni
formly been to raise no salaries. They claim
that such action is without tue proper jurisdic
ton of an appropriation committee, and proper
ly belongs TO the whole lsw-making power, and
while the sympathy of a majority Of that com
mittee, and certainly that of its chairman, is in
favor of a systematic increase OF all salaries,
they steadily refuse to act upon the matter, ex-
cept occasionally when it seems impossible to
avoid it.
Departmental life here in Washington is one
of the most interesting studies one can engage
in. The character of the men and women COM
posing it is very little known or understood by
the outside world, and the manner in which its
claims have been ignored and its just demands
treated by congress is one of the crying evils of
the time, as we look at it. 1t is
not understood that the entire machinery of the
government is worked and kept in order by the
men composing the clerical force of the depart.
ments. That the entire interests of the country
are given into their hands-all of the accounts,
decisions, and claims are adjusted and made by
them, requiring ability and business integrity
OF no mean order, and among these men and
women are to be found many of high culture,
professional skill and literary character. The
treatment this class, deserving well of the gov
eminent whose interests they protect and whose
good name if sustained must be done by them
is a shameful disgrace. This is true from the
office of the president to the lowest position held
in the service, and it speaks well for the sagacity
Of Gen. Grant that he viii take the initiative in
the matter.
THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Question bids fair to prove bone of conten-
ton in the ranks of the party. The wrath of
many politicians has been excited by the action
of the president in relation to the Philadelphia
post Office, and serious apprehensions are excited
in the minds of those who have been from
the first opposed, that the president is really in
earnest about it. The almost unanimous sup
port given to him by the press of the country,
and the plank in the Philadelphia platform
pledging the party to its adoption, will be great
aids TO the president in his enforcement Of it,
but there is not the slightest doubt that it will
receive the bitter, relentless opposition of poti
clans both in and out Of congress, who are not
going to giTeup the spoils of victory without a
struggle. | overheard a senator say in a street
car last summer to a gentleman with whom he
was in conversation, "It we re-elect Grant, won't
we prick this civil service bubble;" and this ex-
preston is the current feeling among the aver
age congressman. This opposition, taken with
the stupid plan OF carrying the competitive ex-
aminations into promotions in the service,
which method is open to grave and plain criti-
cism, win make the scheme a difficult
one to carry, and its success OF fail
ure rests on the president alone. 1t is
not so much TO effect reform in the effect
iyeness Of the service that this action is called
for, but to stop the political manipulation
OF appointments, an evil that is striking deep 10
the very roots Of the body polite, and an
evil which, if not arrested, will tester and cor
rode into the very yitals Of the nation. 1t is
wonderful, with this evil growing and increasing
as it has for 50 many years, that our civil SER
vice has retained its efficiency, and it only
proves the great elasticity aud strength of our
institutions.
THE NOTES OF BUsY PREPARATIONS
are sounding on every side for the opening Of
congress next Monday. A lively session and
Season" are predicted by all. The meeting of
congressman after the summer campaign will
be a curious one. The opposition members,
who went forth in such high slee, sure that the
days of minority for them were finished, will