The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-03-28

Although nothing dramatic has occur
ed at the White House, on Capitol Hill,
or at the Executive Departments in the
last few days, a succession of events has
made the situation here decidedly inter
esting. President Cleyeland's important
nominations were all surprises. lie Sc
lects men whose names have not been
publicly canvassed and who have not
been urged for place by their friends.
Among his last appointments were Mr..
Porter of Tennessee for Assistant Secre-
tary of State, and ex-Representative At
kins of Tennessee for Commissioner of
Indian affairs. Michigan was recognized
through Mr.. Montgomery for Commits
sioner of patents. Kentucky was accord
ed the important trust of First Comptrol-
Ter of the Currency in the appointment
of Mr.. Durham, and the Keystone State
got good place, Mr.. Hay of Pittsburg
being nominated for First Assistant Post
master General Mr.. Hay is too sick,
however to enter upon the onerous dut-
les of his offices. He has started to
Florida to recuperate his health leaving
his former incumbent in charge. Official
and clerical Washington is in II state of
CONSERVATION. Reform has begun in
the United States Treasury, and the cx-
ample will be followed in all the other
Government Departments. The Treas
ury is the most unwieldy, cumbrous and
extravagant of all the Departments, and
Secretary Manning leads off in the good
work by appointing commission of in
quiry into the methods of conducting
business. This meansa simplication and
improvement of methods, and great re-
duction of the official and clerical force
The investigation is TO be conducted by
a committee of three Treasury officials
one of whom is the recently appointed
Assistant Secretary who is a Democrat,
another is a Republican and the third is
an Independent, who voted for Cleveland.
All of them are strong advocates of Civil
Service reform. They expect to be en-
gagged about a month in the inspecting of
the various branches of the service,
where there are twenty three hundred
employees 1t is thought their work will
result in the dismissal of one fourth of
this force.
The new broom is sweeping in quiet
way in other quarters. In the Depart
ment of Justice seven superhuities were
cast off yesterday, and Secretaries Endi-
colt and Whitney have already taken
steps to inform themselves as to the
efficiency of their officials, and the work
ings of their Departments.
OF the seven members of his official
household. Secretary Lamar seems to be
the Presidents favorite. Scarcely an
evening passes that he does not make
visit to the White House, and Miss.
Lamar, the daughter of the Secretary is
to be Miss. Cleveland's guest at the Exec
utive Mansion for the next few weeks.
As the Secretary, is widOwer, his
daughter is to do the honors of his home
in Washington
President Cleveland has not yet attend
ed church in the city. So much was
said about his intentions in this respect
and so great rush was made by curios-
ity hunters to-attend the church where
he was expected to appear, that he mod
estly determined to remain at home on
Sundays, until he ceases to be regarded
as sight. He wants to attend church
quietly and unostentaciously, like any
other man.
Speaking of the Presidents callousness
to the opportunities of ofIice-seekers, it
may be said that the pressure of influ-
ence has failed to dictate a single impor-
tant appointment. So far, entreaties
from interested parties have done more
harm than good, and there are place
hunters here now, who regret that their
applications for appointment are attach
ed to long petitions and numerous signi-
lures.
New applicants for Office come to the
city daily however, in considerable num-
beers, and many of them have perfect
faith in the potency of Endorsements. A
young Democrat from one of the rural
districts showed his much signed petit
ton yesterday to n friend saying he was
anxious for the President to see his paper
as soon as possible The lat ter replied.
1T would be fatal to your hopes to show
your backing. The new administration
resents every thing of that kind as an en-
croachment upon distinctions. Go home
and wait for your country to call you"
"But," protested the expectant, 81 want
the President to see how strongly am
endorsed for the office l WANT "My
boy" said his friend, "if you really ex-
pect an office under Mr.. Cleveland,
throw your petition down the nearest