The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1881-05-28
NO. IL.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The AMtOcrat of vfrginfa-DKs-
pensinG sfse Fruit of his
Hsargufm.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., May IA, 1881.

WAsHrNGToN, d. c., May IA, 1881.
| When President Garfield entered 50
serenely on his four years course, but
two months ago, no one foresaw the
complicated situation of to-day.
Every one will remember how even
political antagonists were disposed to
congratulate each other on the begin
ming of apolitical, industrial and finan-
cial millennium. Robertson had not
then been mentioned, and the portcn-
tous Malone was just appearing equiv
ocally above the horizon. There is no
equivocation in the attitude of Ma
hone now, nor, indeed, in the attitude
OF any of the distinguished personagcs
who are playing in the petty politics
OF the day. Senator Mahone's carriage
may be seen at almost any hour, in
front of the south side of the general
Postoffice Department., where he
spends much of his time, closeted with
Judge Tyner, farming out the little
postoflices in Virginia, which, regard
less of the wishes of the patrons Of
these postoiiices, both Republicans and
Democrats, have been given to him. 1t
is his policy to place readjuster in
every postotlice in Virginia where the
postmaster docs not have TO beapproved
by the Senate. This will make him dis
penser of hundreds of offices, and en-
able him to play the dcspot in hun
dreds of localities that the country at
large has never heard of. 1t is need
less to say that this is not right; that
it is not according to correct civil SER
vice principles; that it is not Repub-
lican or Democratic in principle, but
what VIC are accustomed to call in
Europe or Asia despotism and tyranny.
know of more than one instance
whore the postmaster, Notwithstanding
his years of experience, his perfect
record with the Department here, and
IN spite of protests signed by large
majority of the citizens, both Repub-
leans and Democrats, has been ruth
cssly removed to make place for in
and characterless men,
whose only recommendation is that
hey hold Mahone's peculiar views with
egard to the Virginia state debt. The
'aternal functions of the Federal Gov
should not be felt in this way
n small, weak and isolated commu-
titles, whose protests cannot be sutfi-
iently loud to raise that general public
ndignation which can command re-
ress. Neither Mr.. James nor tho
resident would dare to appoint
ostmaster against tho protests of
ina-tenths of the good citizens of St.
.ous or New York. 1t is cowardly
force upon the weak what they
'ould not dare attempt with tho
trong. 1t is unstatesmanlike and un-
atriotic to ALLEVIATE small provincial
and to force them to feel
10 central Government only as a mis-
lievous intermeddler with their local
fairs, and as the champion Of those
HON men of both parties hold in the
asst esteem. The people of a small
llage have confidential and intimate
'lations with the postmaster, they ad-
Sc with him, and trust him in all
1sincss matters beyond the limit Of
Ieir acquaintance, and to thrust upon
lem stranger, or neighbor in whose
ipcricnce and integrity they have not
,nfidence, is such mischicvons and
rious interference with their business
tercsts as would not be attempted or
lcratcd in larger and more powerful