Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-28

Democratic members OF Congress who have ar
rived in Washington naturally make the incoming
administration their chief topic OF discussion. and
there IS remarkable unanInfty OF opinion among
them as TO the policy Gov Cleveland will pursue in
making removals from ollce. They all agree that
he. will proceed very slowly. and that the great
scramble for place which republicans predict VIII
not occur. That there VIII be great number OF
oGice-seekers nobody can doubt In all parts of
the country petitions are already being circulated
for signatures by democratic aspirantS for the
various post Offices. revenue and customs positions,
etc. But with the sentiment that prevails among
democratic congressman, 1t is thought that the
latter Will stand as a barrier between the Presi-
dent and hOrdeS OF ofEce-seekers Some OF the
congressman have already written TO constituents
advising them TO 90 SLOW In hunting for places
under the next administration. In fact, there Is
an apparent disposition among the democrats In
Congress TO check anything like wholesale raid
for place. One prominent democrat. whose rela-
tons with his party management during the re-
cent campaign gives him facilities for knowing
what the plans OF the President-elect are, has
written 10 friends and constituents who have
sought his aid In obtaining Office, that haste on
their part VIII not accomplish anything. He has
advised his friends that GOV. Cleveland is
determined not to give his attention to
matters presidential until he Is freed
from the Office and duties of governor.
The Pre5dent-eleet, according 10 high authority
in his party, thinks there VIII be ample tine for
the consideration OF cabinet appointments and all
other questions pertaining TO his new position
after he shall have resigned from the governorship.
He cannot refuse to listen TO delegations Of demo-
Gratis who call upon him to recommend persons for
cabinet hOnOrs, but il is stated that he has care
fully avoided any expression that could be con-
strued into q promise. His invariable answer to
recommendations for Office under his administra-
ton has been that the subject would receive future
consideration. Democratic congressman admit
that they expect TO see good many changes made
In the federal offices, but they say they do not look
Tor any partisan raid They hold that the good of
the service requires numerous changes, especially
In the service outside OF Washington. In the sew
eral departments here the prevailing idea Is that
nrst only the heads OF departments, bureaus and
dlvsions,-thoSe whose authority and responsible
ties are of character that viii render 1t import
ant for them TO be in political sympathy with the
Executive,-wIl be removed Then it is thought
that such changes Will gradually follow as the
newly appointed chiefs will recommend as neces-
sary TO tie efficient administration OF their various
Offices Among leading democrats the remark is
oiten heard that men In the public service who
have been VIGOROUSLY active partisans, and who
have employed time belonging 10 the government
in partisan work VIII shave TO 60" but the sugges-
Ton that any efficient clerk, with good record be-
hind him. Will be removed simply because he may
De republican is rarely ever heard. With almost
one accord democratic congressman predict a con-
seryative administration, and they anticipate that
this conservatism viii nowhere manifest itself
more positively than in removals from office.
Bismarck has sustained legislative defeat In
what may seem trivial matter, but In one which
really has important relations. Heretofore men,
bers OF the reichstag, like members OF parliament,
have served without pay, but it is now proposed to
grant them salary SUFFICIENT for the requirements
or simple city life The objection TO this PROPOSE
ton, which seems so reasonable is that under the
present scheme the government is managed by
those whose station In society enables them to
serve their country Of the recreations of ee-
CANT leisure. theoretically public career is open
TO all. but practically TO those only who can afford
It In this repect the case is parallel to that fur
Dshed by those ar1stocratic regiments which
freeze out' impecunious merit by such expensive
messes that no poor man can stand the pressure.
But in the forward march Of democracy such con-
splracies against the people growing unpopular
and viii soon be out Of date. The Iaborer Is worthy
OF his hire, and should have 1t.
In this country we do not err on the side OF IN
adequate pay to lawmakers; on the other hand.
there Is suspicion that in many cases our states
men do not quite earn their plump five thousand
year.