The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-04-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Apr. IA, 'S3.

| w ASHlNGTON, ~. VI, apr. Ii, %.
There was ripple of surprise in
Washington at the announcement of
Judge Gresham's appointment to the
vacant Postmaster -Generalship, be-
cause nobody had heard his name in
that connection, or even thought of
him if they knew of his existence.
But itis-uuiversally conceded that the
appointment is much better than
would have been that of Hatton,
Filley, Robinson OF any of the promi-
nently mentioned candidates. Judge
Gresham has an honorable record and
is man of considerable ability, res
pected by men of all parties in his
State. His appointment does away
with whatever hopes Mr.. New may
have had of obtaining a cabinet po-
sition, even should Mr. Folger's CO.
verted retirement occur. 1t seems
somewhat strange in view of Judge
Folger's experience, that Judge Gres-
ham should be willing to sacrifice a
life-position so honorable as the one
he now holds and plunge into the
turmoil of the political arena. But it
must be borne in mind that, as in
England, according to Gilbert 6 Sui
ivan's '1olanthe,"
every little boy and gal,
That's born in this world alive,
Is either little Liberal,
Or else a little Conservative"
So, in Indiana, all are born politi-
clans, and not even the judicial er-
mine can thwart natures propose.
There is a kind of anxiety and un-
certainty in the official life of Wash
ington now. The prospect of a
change of administration upsets
everything more or less, and when
the people who have been in power
twenty-five years begin to think Of
stepping down and out they are like
Charles Lamb, staggered at the idea
of another state of existence" There
is no longer the easy confidence of a
few years back. The change is al
ready anticipated by the Democratic
Congress which is coming, and the
l1,000 office -holders here, from Mr..
Frelinghuysen down to the depart
ment messengers, all have little un-
certain feeling at the back of their
necks. One remarkable thing is
heard-the superior department off,
GERS are all saying: "Well, hope I'll
soon be out of the treadmill," which
means that they are quietly making
arrangements to leave the soft places
which when they entered they ex-
pected to fight for as long as they
could. The fighting day is past.
The Civil Service Commission is
turning up and making vast prepara-
tions for the overhauling of every
thing. One good will be accom-
plished if they will put stop to the
ridiculous questions asked of appli-
cants for clerkships. One poor wo-
man here was terrified because she
could not answer the very first ques-
ton put to her by the examiners
how far was the sun from the earth.
Another nearly tainted because she
did not know the capital of Terra del
Fuego. The commission will only
add another discordant element to
the war already going on in the de-
partments, and especially in the
Treasury, on the subject of appoint
ments. Suppose clerk is pro-
nounced incapable by the commission
and suppose the chief of his bureau
| thinks otherwise and objects to Civ
ing up satisfactory employee? The
commission will find out the instant
their labors begin that they will an.
tagonize every official as well as
every clerk in Washington. Harmo.
my does not reign supreme in the
Treasury. Secretary Folger does moi
like Assistant Secretary New, and
has no fancy whatever for the lega-
cies left in the department by join
Sherman in the way of gentlemen
with high salaries and cloudy reputa'
ti0ns. fg lf lA
| Among the strollers on the Avenue
a few days ago I noticed man o.
stout form, with full broad face, ac'
outline nose, sharp, keen gray eye'
and firm outline. 1t was Alexander
Mitchell formerly a Member of Con
gress from Milwaukee and now one
of the richest men of the northwest
Those who were in Washington IL
1S74-5 remember Mr.. Mitchell, who
though then worth several millions
was very quiet and unobtrusive
During his first winter few people il
Congress knew much more abou
him than the fact of his being a sue
cessful Milwaukee banker. Durins
the great financial debate of his tern
Mr.. Mitchell prepared a speech upol
J the subject of the resumption o
specie payment. Mr.. Mitchell was
very modest man, and, as no one pait
much attention to him in the House
, he did not expect to have many list
eners for his speech. One of tn
friends who heard he was going h
make speech, thought he woul'
prepare surprise for him. Thi
friend went to the Office of the Wash