The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-04-21
Letter from washington.



WASHINGTON, April 18th, 1871.
have written very frequently during the
las, two years about the civil service evil, in.
sisting that too many, by third or a half,
were employed to do the necessary work, and
pointing out various radical reforms that
President Tilden was finally elected to accom-.
plish. ! have feared that would not be be-
heved except by those who were already cog.
infant of the fact. IL is hard to convince men
that christian statesmen for whom they voted,
statesmen who have "moral IDEAS engrayen
on their watch seals, can do or tolerate any
thing wrong. But now we are to have de-
monstration. Of the nine hundred employees
Of the Bureau of Engraving aud Printing, five
hundred are to be discharged POO will be
discharged to-day and 800 will be discharged
next week. These discharges prove what has
long been known by many, that more than
onehalf the employees of this Bureau nre SUI
pernumeraries, and that the four hundred re.
naming can easily accomplish the work for
which nine hundred have been paid. There
is a certain advantage in mathematical and
practical demonstration like this, it opens, or
| ought to open, the eyes Of the constipated to
u condition that reaches much farther than
one bureau or one department.
The time for calling an extra session OF
Congress has not yet been decided upon.
There have been rumors TO the effect that no
extra session will be called, that some means
will be suggested to avoid It altogether. 1t is
the opinion ofsome that since the Indian war
is practically over, the army might be reduced
sufficiently, or tnrloughed, so AS to stretch
the present appropriation 10 meet iudispcnsi'
BILE military expenses. The extra session
was discussed in cabinet meeting yesterday,
and it was suggested that it would be adyisa.
bic to fix as early day as the 10th of May
for the assembling of the torty.ith Congress,
as much time will probably be consumed in
the election of Il speaker aud in the organiza
ton Of standing committees, a later date
would scarcely give Congress time for the
transaction of necessary business before the
intense heat of summer.
The long expected Grand Dukes arrived
yesterday, accompanied by the Russian Ad
miral, Baron Shilling and several officers of
the Russian feet They brought, if statistics
may be relied on, twenty'one trunks, from
which it is inferred they will remain some
time. A large crowd had eongregated ut the
depot to see the young men who were so UNI
fortunate as to be born great A few minutes
before the arrival of the train the Russian
minister, with the attaches OF legation in full
court dress, came and took position on the
platform. The train was on time, and the
minister entered the special car and greeted
the noble scions, kissing them warmly on both
cheeks, much to the envy Of the Washington
bellies, who had glimpse Of the sweet cere.
mony through the car windows The Dukes
then came out upon the platform ia coRspeciu
oBlnium, and were escorted to the carriage in
waiting. This was my opportunity to gaze,
las the orator says unawed upon kings, or at
least future Gar. The grand duke Alexis
is the graudest of the two He looks some
what like the COLOSSUS of Rhodes, Just Us
every man does; but the Grand Duke has the
advantage OF the COLOSSUS in a military bear.
ing, holding his feet close together, sprad.
ding less. The Dukes were driven to the
residence of the Russian Minister, while the
Admiral and other members of the suite have
taken apartments at the Riggs House. The
party will probably call on Mr.. HAYES to-day
1t is the duty of the de tdcto Secretary of
State TO consult the de tdctO President as TO
the time, and TO make all necessary arrange.
ments, This visit of Alexis recalls some in.
cidents Of his visit to Washington about five
years ago. At that time there was an un-
pleasantness between Secretary Fish and Ba.
ron Catacazy, the Russian Minister, who, on
that occasion, accompanied Alexis on visit
to the President, but, with the understanding
that the Minister should take no part in the
conversation. Although the ceremony lasted
but twenty minutes the prohibition was very
heavy on poor Catacazy, who had an oily and
seductive tongue. This was the first and last
call Of Alexis upon President Grant, aud he
took occasion to cut the President last winter
while at Norfolk, by declining an invitation
TO dine at the White House. cas-.