Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1885-04-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHIxGToS, March %, 1885


devoid of sensation. 1t will be the
province of history with RETROSPECT
tion of fifty years or more to portray
the great and important changes the
slow. but potent revolution that ~
now taking place. The observer Of
to-day can catch only here and there |
a scene and sign in the progress OF
events as they are evolved precisely
what many of his supporters have
hoped. but their disappointment can
not equal that of the supporters OF
Nr. Blaine, who see in the in wisdom
the caution, and tho conservatism OF
the administration, the refutation OF
their predictions and the ruin OF
thar hopes. With the exception OF
the appointment Of the now celebra-
ted Mr.. Higgins, malice itself has
been able to find no fault with those
who have been placed in Office. The
torrent of animadversion that poor
Higgins has received must strike the
average government employee as
verv absurd, for even if the worst
said of him is true, it follows that he
is only as bad as the thousands whom
the party of moral ideas has cherish
ed in it's heart of hearts for at least
sixteen years. Higgins CANDLES, he
stuffs ballot boxes, he is smart and
tricky, is the cry of the sanity ras-
Gals and rogues who supported a man
like Blaine, and men like Robertson
and Belknap, and who stole the pres
idency only eight years ago. Why,
large number of the republican en-
ployes in office now are drunkards.
and gamblers, men with salaries OF
from $1,000 to $25OO, WHO would not
be trusted for five dollars, and who
would be dismissed tomorrow, if it
were not for the fact they served in
the Union army. Ye hypocrites
First cast out the beams from your
own ewes and then wilt thou see
more clearly to pull out the mote
that is alleged to have been in your
brother Higgins eve before he was
appointed in the Treasury Depart
ment. 1t is curious, grotesque, and
moralesuue to see what high stand
ard the Republicans have set up for
those from whom few months ago
everything vile was vocifsrously pre-
dicted.
A great change has come over the
city of Washington, has premated
all the Government Offices, has affect
ed the homes and even the shops OF
the people. That the new admins
tration will fulfil it's contract to con-
= duct tho Government on business
, principles, in the interest of the peo-
pie, instead of for the Office holder
, is now believed by all. Government
Clerks no longer feel the shelterine
: arm of their republican influence,
e and are working in a way that is sur
Il prising. Those who before the elec
i, t;on were blatent and abusive o
e Democrats cannot now be hired t.
saw a word against them and some
a have even taught their lips to utte
: praise. The average government
!. clerk is very unhappy. He is aware
+. that he has very little to do, and tina
: he is not qualified to do even that lit
e tie. He has heard that the new ad
e ministration will recoganize the De
y. partments and discharge the useless
v the incompetent, idle, the drunkar'
,e and the gambler. He knows tina
al this means him. He knows that out
side the government Office, he can
: : not make a living; that better clerk
m are working in business houses a
,e over the country for one half an,
> one third the amount he is paid
tie working constantly for ten and twelv
:. hours a day. while he has been doin
or sham work for only seven hours pc
day.
I'd Shop keepers, especially those VIII
sd sell cigars and tobacco. as we'll as 81
It's loon keepers tell me that times al
!, very dull Government clerks al
to economizing in preparation for tt
NJ day of dismissal.
rs In making its appointments, vi
Ts G' derstand the Administration will /
e. very careful to select only competel
to and sober men and it is expecte
ill that the moral tone of tho city will
I'M improved. Improvement is alreaf
''e discernible. President Authors a
,k ministrrtion was comparatively r
leo spectable, but it was at best succe
lily cession of the Grant regime OF vulga
or. ity and dishonesty and the Hay
81 regime of fraud and Hypocrisy.
Of think President Arthur thought mo