The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-06-13
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE,
WASHINGTON, J
June 3, 1871

w ASdlNGTON,
June 8, 1917
EDITOR DEMOCRAT
The official wheel will cease its mo-
tioDs Tomorrow, Decoration to-day,
and the most overworksd man in Amer
ica, the President, will rest. Mr..
Hayes is subject not only to applica-
tons of regular Republican office
seekers, but by his peculiar poIicy-so
far harder to understand than policy
OF life insurance-he has brought upon
himself the endless and urgent re-
quests tor Office of the whole mass of
people who have been "independent'
for the last ten years. He is probably
more afflicted by Office seekers than
any President in our history. In his
innocence he commenced his term with
an attempt to see everyone who wished
to see him. Giving that duty up to
his Secretaries, he met only prominent
men and "delegations." Now he is
going to the country-to tho Soldiers
Home, just beyond the city limits, in
the hope Of further relief. His worst
enemy will not grudge him respite
from the troubles that Office hunters
bring to every man they seek.
There has been during the past week
more than the usual activity in orga-
nizing new parties. The difficulty
does not seem to be in getting up a
party" (for in the present disorgan-
ICED condition ofthe Republicans, any
one Of standing can get following)
but in so arranging matters that
strength outside of the Republican
party can be secured. Morton or
Blaine could probably throw every
Northern State, with one or two ex-
ceptons, into the hands Of the Democ-
racy: by stating definitely the grounds
of his opposition to Hayes police; but
what would Morton or Blaine gain by
that7 So long as there are no indics-
tions of Democratic dsaffection, but
only of Republican disintegration, the
new party movement will be by men
of small discretion, if not of small abil-
ity. 1t is not better to be first in
country village than second in Rome
if one thinks one has we'll grounded
hope Of being first in Rome.
In our local affairs the shadow of
I the late Board of Public Works is over
us once more. 1t is charged that in
the lateletting of contracts for pave
ments the highest instead of the low
est bidders were awarded the work.
The Board of Public Works left debt
upon the District which represents
more than one-fifti of the assessed
value OF our real estate, and which,
virtually makes every piece of land in
the hands of a poor man the property
of the District. Our present rulers ap-
pointed by the President, are restrict
ed as to expenditures, but it is charged
that they give as little as possible to
! the District of what they do expcnd.
The whole subject will bear investiga
ton, and most people here will rejoice
if, when Congress- meets, and consid-
siders the subject, it shall be deter
mined to let rs again manage orr own
affairs and elect our own officers rs
other communities do.
1t ia said that Mr.. Fish never allow
ed an official docnmcct Of any impor.
lance to leave the State Department
while he was Secretary, uutil he had
) personally examined it. The habit Of
Secretary Evarts is otherwise, hnt he
/ has in Secretary Seward an efficient
} substitute, and perhaps the Depart
ment will not suffer, however ably ant
carefully Mr.. Fish may have performed
his duties, by the change; and aftel
Mr.. Evarts gets over the habit of look
lug upon Mississippi and Louisiana
and South Carolina as suhjngated pro
vinces. and ceases to prepare notes tx
their Governors, as if he were dealing
t with his interiors, he may perhaps fol
low the excellent example Of Mr.. FISH
and devote his whole time to legiti
, mate duties. MEMO.