The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-04-11
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS.
W.sHrseros, )
Iarch 81. 1877 I

1arch 81, 1877.
The noble armyof seekers afte,
Post Offices, over BOO of them 8
far and growing at he rate of 500 d,
day, might be assigned to duty s !.
Commissions to louisiana. Most Il
them are probably devoid Of that
feeling of de!icacy which has so far
kept every invited Northern gentle.
man from accepting a place on the
Presidents Commission, but they
would make up in members what they
lack in quality. Imagine fifteen
thousand of them led to New Or.
leans by John A. Legan or Private
Dalzell, quartered or the city until
as choice of evils the people should
escape persecution a the price Of
Packard, Pitkin and the Presidents
Policy! How gladly the banker and
planter would pay tieir taxes into
the Packard Treasur, to he squan. {
dered away no mater how. And
what sermons wouldbe preached in
New Orleans pulpits based on the
plaques that enctmpassed the
Egyptians, and anlictons that tried
the temper of Job. By all means,
utilize the office seekers, Mr.. Presi.
dent, and in the suest manner, by
the some taken hold in Office, one
whose dismissal by you would be a
confession of your own defective
title.
Seriously, there are already on Gle
applications for neatly one-half Of
the thirty-nine thousand Post Offices
in the country, and this, too, when
the Administration only, not the par.
ty in power, is changed Thinking
of the few hundred changes made
among office holders dring the first
thirty years of the Government, and
of the general change evidently an
ticipa ted under this Administration
makes one believe we are becoming
a nation Of people who desire and ex.
pect to live by office.
We have not escaped the horrible
epidemic of crime which seems to
have broken ont all ove- the country.
There have been here several deaths
from violence in the list few days.
Thieving in all its degrees hourishes.
The "hard times" may account for
the lesser crimes, but certainly not
for the killing of a perniless vaga-
bond or murders in public in the
light of day or the naneless outra-
ges which are giving the Capital
bad name throughout the country.
There is loud call for an increased
police force, and for greater efficiency
in its management.
The civil service rules just pre-.
mulgated by the Secretary Of the
Treasury ito not vary in any essen
tial particular from those now nomi.
nally in force. They declare that
appointments and promotions shall
be based on industry, integrity and
competency. But who knows Of any.
system based upon declarations2
The theory is goo's--it could not he
better; but no amount Of theory viii
bring the reform so much needed.
"Gove,nor" Chamberlain was with
the President on Saturday. He said
| last night that no indication was
given in the conversation as to what
the President intended to. do, that
the President wanted information;
and that so far as be chamberlain
was concerned, the Presidents wish
es, would I've implicitly regarded.
There is no doubt Chamberlain will
be got rid of speedily. He is a very
, willing victim. Gov. Hampton will
arrive tonight.
Packard remains, and on the ques-
ton of supporting him, the Presi.
dents troubles will be concentrated,
He wishes to be done with the whole
subject before the special session Of
J, Congress in June, and on Friday and
Saturday was sympathetic in his de.
clarations to Southern men, that
they need have patience but short
time. He said to a Representative
;. Southern delegation on Saturday, u
am steadfast in the cause / have
marked out, AND YoU SHALL NOT BI
DISAPPOINTED"
:. In considering the President'l
course in regard to Louisiana, and II
order that no injustice may be done
him, it should be stated that biz
friends were made to believe thai
President Grant would remove tht
troops from that State prior K
March 4th, and that Mr.. Hayes, III