The Magnolia gazette., 1885-04-24
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, April 13, 1885.
do not think it exaggeration to say
that many OF tho Government offices IN
| Washington have accomplished more
work in the last month than was nc
complished in any two months Of the
preceding year. l say many OF the
| offices, for some Of them have not done
| nncil for the reason that there is not
much for them to do. A large number
Of ihe offices, owing TO the negligence,
idleness, ard Incompetence OF the clerks,
are fur behind with their work. This
Is especially the case with the Pateut,
Pension, and Land offices, but within
the last month wonderful progress has
been made, and it is probable thut the
vexations and unnecessary delays tlat
have drivea applicants for patents and
pensions to despair will be suffered
no longer.
From the president down to his last
appointment, the persone. of the admin
istration Is capable ot hard work. aud ID
has evidently this object in view, more
than pleasure, enolnment, or fame.
The cabinet of tho new president ale
not men with itching palms. They are
all men Of sufficient wealth, or men to
whom, their wealth is sufficient. So it
iswith the. recent bureau appointees. A
gentleman whose fortune is not less
,hap $4,000 waslas week appointed
to an Office in Que of the departments,
the salary of which is only $4,000. He
did otneed the Office, but the Office
needed him,
Heretofore the staples of recon
mendation for Office have been poverty
and patriotism. "He needs the Office.
he has as large family, and he was
good soldier" No question as to fitness
was considered, and the civil service has
been made al elegant and lucrative
asylum for incompetent disabled soldiers
and dishonest republican politicians.
1t is needless to say that this is a per.
version of the object of government
offices, which have for their end the
transaction OF the p ,5tal, military, vain
and financial business of the entire
country. The United States pension
and bounty laws have paid with u Law.
ishness unparalleled in history for the
service which every man owes to his
country, and it is time this false philan.
thrnphy and sentimental statesmanship
OF appointing men to Offices they do not
u 'ed and are not competent to fill,
should end.
There ara great many Office seekers
in the city at present. The old crowd
That came here on or about the fourth
OF March is pretty we'll thinned out.
Some OF them llnger because shey c,n.
not borrow money to get home on. Bat
Il new crowd has come in the last two
weeks. Tier disil loin!ment. and
c'iagrin on learning the situation of
alfilrs is picturesque, All applicants
are handed copy of the civil service
law, and blank application for examin.
alton. The President does not consider
q ~ appoiL nents for small Offices, aud
none will be made until after the hrst
Of July. The new administration seems
more anxious just now to empty than
to fill Offices, aLd each week results in
the is,harge of number of those who
have been kept on the government pay
rolls, although they have rendered no |
legitimate service. II tie discharge of
shls class shall be made thorl ugh and |
exhaustive, literal millions will be saved |
and the morale of the service |
will be greatly improved,
The daily rontine at the White House
involves an immense amount of work.
Aud although President Cleveland is
relieved Of much work by his Secretary,
Col. Lamont, yet II great quantity has
% receive his personal attention. The
President is ready for work at eight
o'clock III the morning. and is usually
busy until midnight About ten clock
ie begins the perusal of such letters MS
'eqnIre his special attention, The great
oulh OF the letters sent TO the president
marked "persona" aud iseonfitlential !"
$ Derer seen 10y hiaa. They are from
vi sorts OF people and on all sorts of
nhjeets. Many of them are OF ellarac.
ei that would seem to eBtl.le the writer
N n ,al.aa in las,