Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1884-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.I
DECEMBER /, 1884.


day in tue usual way. The galleries
were crowded with interested specta-
tors who looked down upon the legis-
lative bodies below, and commented
npon the appearance of well known
public men, or tried to read in their
faces the history Of the battle they
hal fought since the adjournment
five months ago. Ifancled the Dem
ocrats looked less elated than the
Republicans looked depressed. The
defeat of Blaine vas terrible and
unexpected blow, and to those Re-
publicans who live by politics, it
means ruin. 1t is the opinion of
shrewd politicians with whom have
talked that the Republican party will
never again make an effective rally.
1t has lost its money chest-the Uni
ted States Treasury; it has lost the
prestige of victory. Since Apo
matox the party has had no commits
sion, no raison d'etre. 1t has no
means of livelihood, and nothing to
live for. Why should it live at all.
Democratic members of Congress
naturally make the incoming admin
is tration their chief topic of CONVEX
sation. They all think the president
elect will hasten slowly A great
scramble for place, will, of course,
occur, and many changes will not be
made in the federal offices, but the
changes vii. not be made until after
delIberatIon and until sufficient time
has been taken to. select the right
man. The good of the service re-
quires numerous changes. The Post
Offices of the South are filed with
men who are politicians and partisan
workers first last and all the time.
The core of the Post-Oftices is turn
ed over to clerks, while the
Postmaster devotes himself to poll
tics, such as persuading the colored
people that Democratic success means
negro slavery.
These and other political workers
will go sans ceremonie. The barna-
cles that have accumulated on the
ship of State in her long cruise of
twenty-four years will be seraped
off
In the several departments here
the prevailing idea is that at first on
ly the heads of departments, bureaus,
and divisions, those whose authorities
and responsibilities are of charac-
ter that will render it important for
them to be in political accord with
the Executive, will be removed.
Then 1t is thought that such changes
will gradually follow as
the newly appointed chiefs
will recommend as necessary to the
efficient administration of their Tari-
Gus offices.
One prominent democrat, whose
relations with his party management
during the recent campaign gave him
facilities for knowing what lAe plans
of the president-eleet are, has writ
ten TO friends and constituents who
have sought his aid in obtaining Office
that hurry on their part will not ac-
complish anything. He has advised
his friends that Gov. Clevelandis de-
termined not to give his attention to
matters presidential until he is freed
from the office and duties OF Cover
nor.
There is a wide spread misconcep-
ton in the minds of department peo-
pie upon the bearing of the civil SER
vice and rules upon tie subject of
removals. It is believed by many
that in some way classified clerks are
protected from removal except for
cause, by The act and rules made to
carry it into effect. The truth is
that there is not a word in the act
bearing upon removals. The whole
machinery is constructed to regula-
ted admissions 1t was not designed
to treat Of removals. Under our
constitution, it is very difficult
matter to limit the power of removal.
So far it has not even been attempt
ed.
Congressmen are besieged with
questions as to the coming cabinet.
While none express any positive con-
victions, all 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
intend to keep the House busy with
appropriation bills during the early
part of the session, and to dispose of
them as rapidly as possible. But
little is proposed in the way of new
Legislation to those bills, and an ef-
fort will be made to pospone all inn
portant changes in the laws relative
to the organization of the Govern
ment until next year, when the Pres
ident and House Of Representatives
may be expected to be in harmony.
An Answer Wanted.