Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-12-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondents
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
November 29th. 1882.

Washington has not recovered from
the sensation produced by the recent
action of the President in suddenly
decapitating some office holders who
were understood to be in sympathy
with the Star.route conspirators. 1t
is still the most interesting topic
here because of the expectation that
there is to be another stroke of the
same lightning. 1t is hardly to be
wondered at that a sensation is read
lily produced by a move of this sort
here at the National Capital, where
the population consists largely of Of
flee. holders, and of those who de-
pend on them for living. When
the axe falls upon even half dozen
of the great army there is thrill of
some sort-sympathy, indignation,
hope, or alarm-transmitted through
the entire body. In the present in
stance the sensation was the result
not so much of the actual removals,
or, indeed, of the causes for which
they were made, as of the sudden
ness with which the axe fell Every
one knew that the most of these re-
moved had been guilty OF gross mis-
conduct, that the evidence of this
fact had been in possession of the
Government for long time, and
that the interests of justice had been
seriously interfered with by the un-
accountable procrastination in deal
ing with such obvious cases. 1t was
owing to the general impression that
because nothing had been done in
the matter, nothing would be, that
the removals excited SO much com.
ment.
There is no Disgusting the fact that
there are in Washington, in office
and out of office. many sympathizers
with the Star route thieves. Some
are purchased friends in one way and
another, and some are old political
associates whose moral sensibilities
are more or less blunted. But as a
rule public sentiment sustains the
President, and the hope is expressed
that after all the Government really
is in earnest, and that the result of
the approaching new trial may be
less abortiye than the first. The
friends of the conspirators threaten
vigorous retaliation, and are already
making charges against the Attor-
uey General, which they say will be
brought before Congress with a de-
mand for an investigation into the
expenditures OF the Department of
Justice. 1t all relates to tie luXuri-
Ous Flushing of Mr. Brewster's pri-
waite rooms IN the department, and is
considered pretty small potatoes.
Marshal Henry's plea that he is
made martyr because he was a
friend 80 President Garfield is bosh.
Had Bee not been the app0intee and
friend Of the late President lie would
have been removed months ago
Secretary Chandler has a plan for
including in his department a little
group OF semi naval bureaus now in
The Treasury Department-the rev.
enue marine, the light house and the
life saving service. This would give
"a number Of pleasant land billets for
naval officers, most Of whom in the
higher rank Of the service have spent,
under the present system, from 40 to
so per cent. Of their service on shore,
and it would multiply the civil pat
ronage Of the Secretary of the Navy
at least two fold, Nobody who
knows Washington will expect any
such plan TO succeed. The admira-
BILE and necessary change made in
creating the geographical and geo.
logical survey was only carried out
with great difficulty, and Mr.. Chan
der might as well try to carry off
under each arm one Of the pillars in
front Of the Treasury building as de-
tach one of the bureaus now belong
ing to that department. The only
serious change which has taken place
in the department relations since the
foundation Of the Government has
been the loss Of patents and lands by
the State Department, and it took
the organization Of a new depart
ment--the Interior--to effect this.
Government departments could be
improved at many points by bring
ing together cognate work, saving
money and improving the efficiency
of the service; but there is no reason
to suppose that anything of the kind
will be- done.
Mr.. Jas. b. Eads will be in Wash
ington this winter, and we expect TO
hear a good deal about a certain in
ter. oceanic canal to which all the
ne Ground Rome "A