San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsuMoroS, Dec. /, 1857

spectators who looked down upoi
tho legislative bodies below, and com
mented upon tho appearance OF wei
known public mon, or tired TO reno
in their faces the history OF the bat
ties they had foughtsinco the adjourn
ment nvo months ago. l fancied the
Democrats looked loss elated than the
Republicans looked depressed. The
defeat OF Blaine was q terrible and
unexpected blow and TO those
Republicans who live by politics, II
means ruin. II is the opinion Of
shrowd politicians with whom 1 have
talked that the Republican party will
never again mako an effective rally,
II has lost its money chest-the United
States Treasury it has lost the
prestige OF victory. Since Appomatox
the party has had no mission, or raj
son d etre. 1t has no means of live,
lihood, and nothing to live for Why
should it liveat allf
Democratic mombsrs Of Congress
naturally mako the incoming nd
ministration their chief topic of con
versation. They all think tho presi'
dent-olect will hasten slowly. A
great scramble for place, will, OF
course, occur, and many changes will
be made in tho federal offices, but the
changes will not be made until after
deliberation and until sufficient time
has been taken to select tho right
man. The good of tho service requi
res numerous changes. Tho post
offices OF the South are filed with
men who are politicians and partisan
workers first last and all tho time
The care OF tho Post Offices is turned
over 10 clerks, while the Post Master
dovotes himself to politics, such as
persuading the colored people thai
Democratic SUCCESS means negro
slavery.
These and other political workers
will 60 sans ceremonie. The barna'
cles that have accumulated on the
the ship Of State in her long cruise
of twenty four years will be scrapec
off.
In the several departments here
the prevailing idea is that at first only
the heads of departments, bureaus,
and divisions, those whose authorities
and responsibilities are of a character
that will render it important for them
to be in political accord with the
Exocutive,-will be removed. Then
it is thought that such changes will
follow as tho newly appoin,
ted chiefs will recommend as neces-
sary to tho efficient administration OF
their various offices
One prominent democrat, whose
relations with his party management
during the recent campaign give him
facilities for knowing what the plans
of the President elect are, has written
to friends and constituents who have
sought his aid in obtaining office,
that hurry on their part will not
accomplish anything. He has advi-
sed his friends that Gov. Cleveland
is determined not to give his atten-
ton to matters presidential until he
is freed from the Office and duties of
Governor.
There is q wide spread misconcep-
ton in the minds Of department peo-
pie upon the bearing of the civil SER
vice and rules upon the subject Of
removals. 1t is believed by many
that in some way classified clerks are
from removal "except for
by the act and rules made to
carry it into effect The truth is that
there is not q word in the act bearing
upon removals. The whole machinery
is constituted to regulate admissions.
It was not designed to treat of re.
movals. Under our constitution, it
is very difficult matter to limit the
power Of removal. So far it has
not even been attempted.
Congressman are besieged with
questions as to the coming cabinet.
While none express any positive con-
oil agree that those who may
be chosen by Mr.. Cleveland, will be
chosen for their fitness, capacity, and
honesty, and nothing else.
Mr.. Randall and his committeeman
to keep the House busy
with appropriation bills during the
early part Of tho session, and to dis
pose of them as rapidly as possible.
But little is proposed in the way of
new Legislation to those bills, and an
effort will be made to postpone all
changes in the laws relative