The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-04-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

" 4ON ILL hhs
To THE EDITOR OF THE New NORTHWEST:
The Secretaries of the Interior, Navy,
Treasury, and War Departments having
assumed the functions of their respect
i've offices, the anxiety and urgency of
the office-seekers is steadily Oh the in
crease. Very little satisfaction being
obtained from the President on this sub
ject, tremendous pressure is brought to
bear on the Cabinet officers, particu-
larly upon the Postmaster General, so
much so, that Notwithstanding the an
nouncement made by Mr.. Key, that in
postmasterships whose appointment is
vested in him, he will not interfere with
the position of the present incumbent
without cause, nor in any way with
those whose appointment is vested in
the President, he has been compelled
to issue circular in response to all ap-
plicants, stating that their applications
have been filed for consideration under
the civil service rules when vacancies
occur, and that "none now exist" The
Asyrian who came down like a wolf on
the fold was nothing to the avalanche
of Southerners pressing their official
claims and qualifications upon the Post
Office Department. They seemed to
think that all the various perquisites,
machinery, and ramnifications of this
Department is, through the appoint
ment of an ex-confederate officer, their
special property. But alas, they were
doomed to be undeceived, and now the
"Be gawd sab" gentlemen who have
lost everything but their "honor sab"
are wisely and sadly vending their
ways to the land of cotton, tobacco, pa
triarchal habits and Christmas guns,
sadder if not wiser men.
Ex-Secretary Chandler now takes
long walk every day, demanding the
congratulations of his friends, saying
that he is mo longer servant but
sovereign, no longer vassal but peer"
If not appointed to some European mis-
| sion, which is the grand Elysium of ex-
officials just now, he will remain in
this city for some time. 1t is possible
that the new system of civil service re-
form which now engrosses the attention
of the Cabinet, press, and President will
be tried first in the Department of the
Interior, as Mr.. Schurz is such known
enthusiast on the subject. After mat
ters are little more settled, doubtless,
some changes will gradually occur, al
though no summary or wholesale dis
charges are likely to take place. Yet it
will be unfair, though very natural, to
conclude when removals are made that
such changes are invariably "for cause"
as it will be the disposition of the new
Cabinet members, without doubt, to ap-
point as their confidential assistants,
persons with whom their acquaintance
and confidence has been of long stand
ing. Places for such will be made of
course by the discharge of old employees
without implying anything to their dis
advantage.
The colored people are highly jubilant
over the appointment of Fred. Douglass
as City Marshal, and the prospect that
Prof. Langston's services for the Repub- |
lican party will receive equal recogni-
ton. The Irish now alone remain un-
represented under the new order of !
things, and it will be proper to donate
some emigrant from fair Erin a promi- |
nent place if all are to share conciIia-
tive influence Of Government award.
THE PRESIDENT SOCIALLY.
Last Sunday much satisfaction was
afforded our Methodist fraternity when
President Hayes and his family attended
the services at the Foundry NJ. E. |
Church. He has already engaged pew
in that sanctuary, and the old members
of the Metropolitan NJ. E. Church who |
have been wont to worship in company
with Gen. Grant are now meditating a |
hegira to the church now rendered pop
ular by the presence of the AdmInistra-
ton. If divinity doth hedge king"
how forcibly does church patronage
charm the people through our Presi-
dent. About 2 P. NJ. every afternoon |
Mr.. Hayes takes careless promenade,
while Mrs. Hayes with her children |
are out driving. Often he is aecompa-
MED by his secretary or some friend, but
generally may be seen alone. The Cor
coran Art Gallery, which is nearly de-
serted at such hours, is very favorite
resort Of his, while his temperate habits
and generous policy bid fair irrespective
of political preferences to rapidly endear
him to the people. Although having
passed twenty years in political life, he
neither drinks, chews, CANDLES, nor
smokes. He is a devoted sportsman,
good angler, excellent shot, enjoys
country life and amusements, and
knows how to spend pleasant hour in
social intercourse with personal friends
with the zest of a youthful collegian.
THE PRESIDENT OFFICIALLY.
The office hours of the President are,
for Senators and Members of Congress,
from 10 A. NJ. until II N. General visi-
tors on business are received by card
from II NJ. to P. NJ. AT quite an early