South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-10-28
Letter from washington.
tEron %, R.gair csrrs.pa,.l.al J

WAsnISGToS. ID. q. Oc;. 2ith, 1855.
There is an organization here in Wash
ington, composed OF veterans of The lat Q
war, which is making preparations to
stir up some OF the nests in the Gov
eminent Departments with very sharp
stick. A committee OF this organizes
ton has been a. work ior some months
gathering the data upon which to base
their action, AMI when the Developments
come there will be scattering all along
the line. During the Presidency of
Gen. Grant We heard great deal on the
subject of nepotism. The provision
which the Administration made for its
own aud its wife's relations WAS the
subject of much discussion in tue new 8.
papers and undoubtedly had its effect.
Ii that was the origin in this country Of
what Webster calls ''an undue fondness
for nepbews and other relations" among
those in authority, certainly the disease
has spread with exceeding rapidity
There is 50 much OF it in every Depart
ment OF the Government at this time
that it has come to be crying evil. -
And that is what these veterans are
going for.
II has been undcrs stood that ex-so!-
diers. qualifications and other things
being equal, were to have the preference
in appointment to minor positions un.
der the Government, but they do not
get it. Such large proportion of pla-
ces are filed by the relatives of Depart
ment officials, favoriies OF Senators AMI
mistresses of Congressman. that the sol
der gets pretty unanimously left. This
is not mere idle talk; it il solid fact,
based upon actual investigation.
have seen tue lists now in course of
completion after a careful and thorough
canvass OF every Department and feel
constrained TO say that there will be
some music when Congress ASSEMBLIES
this winter. There are over seven hum
dred cases where from two to fourteen
members Of favorite families are on the
Government pay rolls, drawing salaries
ranging from 5000 TO 81, 500 per year.
Assistant Secretary French of the Urea.
sury has ten members OF his IL mily
snugly slowed away, seven of them,
consisting OF sons, nephews and nieces,
are attached 70 the T Treasury AMI its
various bureaus. Chief Brooks, of the
Secret Service division Of the Treasury
Department, is happily provided with
salaries aggregating something over
Sll 900 IN his immediate family. These
are merely samples. TO go on through
The list would require too much space,
though it might be what Horace Greedy
used to term ''mi5 hty interestin' read :
ing"
Sometimes a Secretary or bureau chic
after providing for goodly number OF
his relation in his own department, to
save appearances, uses his influence To
get the rest OF them in somewhere else.
Secretary Hunt of the Navy Depart
ment is the latest example Of official
tenderness for offspring aud the ties OF
consanguini.y. He has snu2ly located
all his four sons where they can do the
most good-for tbemselves-th Navy
positions as IN the Army being for life,
or during good behavior. Other rela-
tons have also been provided for
Apropos Of Hunt there is q strong effort
being made to keep him in tho Cabinet
but am certain it is wholly without
effect. Had General Garfield continued
in his administration both Hunt AMI
kirkwooi would most probably be in
retirement. Both have proven failures.
ain not now speaking my private opin-
ion but giving the facts which must 20
to make up history. Mr.. Hunt was Civ,
on position in the Cabinet as a South
ern man. but with the distinct under
standing That it vas an experiment so
far as lie was concerned and that il at
any time a change was desired his place
was at tue disposal Of the President. 1t
was also understood that as he gave up
life ju1geship to enter the Cabinet he
would be properly cared for in case he
left it. This arrangement President
Arthur viii no doubt bear in mind
saw Jadge Davis this morning and
could but notice that the smiles which
wreathed his countenanoo the day be
was elected President Of the Senate had
oil disappeared In fact the oil gentle
man is just little worried. That this
is true IL evidenced in his anxiety for
some days TO find out what people
thought OF his election. Besides he
knows that the Republicans wilt most
likely elect some one else to tue posi-
L ion ! l.. I