Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-06-13
WASHINGTON WAYS.
Reducing Expenses-Opposed to
NepotiSm.


WASHINGTON, June Gin these days
of party strife and political discussion,
the work Of intelligent charity goes for
ward. A distinguished body, represent
ing thirty states, is now holding a con-
ference in this city, in the interest of
charities and penal reform. This con-
gress of philanthropists is composed of
about five hundred delegates, selected
by the governors Of the various states,
many of the delegates being representa-
tives of charitable and penal institutions
throughout the country. The object of
this gathering, enlisting as it does the
most prominent men and women inter-
terested in charitable work, is to consider
the best method of treating the depend
ent and delinquent classes, and to secure
the abandonment of old abuses and the
adoption of more enlighte ned methods.
The topics under discussion are, prison
reform, employment Of juvenile delin-
quents in houses Of refuge, care and
treatment of the insane, charity organi-
zation in cities, immigration, prevention
of pauperism, etc. AS these problems
of the century are being handled by en-
inent specialists, in each line, the meet.
ings are very interesting. Before begin.
ming their sessions on Thursday, the del.
egates all boarded the Mount Vernon
steamer and made a visit to the tomb O.
Washington.
The new administration seems intent
upon reducing the running expenses of
all the departments here. This will be
gratifying to the people everywhere, as
there has long been a demand for great
er economy in the public service, and a
widely prevalent impression that the cost
of the service can and should be mate
rally reduced without any impairment
Of its efficiency.
The working force of the pension of
flee has been steadily decreasing, and
yet the results have been just as steadily
increasing during the last three months.
Since Secretary Manning has had charge
of the treasury, sixty clerks have been
displaced whose places will not be filled
because their services were deemed un.
necessary. This will result in all annual
saving of $4,000 to the government.
Postmaster General Villas makes the
largest show of economy. in the manage.
ment of his department. He looked in.
to the matter of mail routes, and decid.
ing that there were unnecessary expend.
itures and poor service, made new con.
tracts by which over 900 have been
saved in the annual expenditures ofthis
division alone. lie then awarded a con
tract for envelopes for departmental
purposes, and for the use of postmasters
in sending in their returns, which saves
over $4,000 a year. His new postal
card contract saves over $1,000 a year,
and by adopting steam printed postage
stamps instead Of those done by hand, a
further yearly saving of $4,000 was
made. The total of $4,000 saved tc
the public is not an inconsiderable item
in the yearly expenses of this one de.
,partment.
Since the advent of the new regime
in Washington alone several hundred
places have been made vacant and not
filled again because the public business
can be done without them. Four or five
hundred guagers and store keepers have
been eliminated in several parts of the
country, who used UP taxes but were moi
needed. The entire so called "frauG
rolW has been dismissed, and important
reforms have been made in the custom,
houses, which will save q million or two
of money per year.
President Cleveland has Just given no
table evidence that no relatives need an,
ply. Among the candidates for the 20
sition of collector of an Ohio district
filled yesterday by him, was a ma who
unfortunately, bore the name of Cleve
land. His eligibility for the place wa
unquestioned, but the president did no
want the charge of "nepotism' raised, ant
consequently refused the application
The disappointed applicant, it is said, is
nephew Of the president, and the man
who received the appointment was sc
pleased with the presidents action tina
ne openly declared he would make tn.
unfortunate relative his first deputy i
he would accept the place.
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