The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-04-04
Things At The CAPITAL.
WAsnlxGrov, March Both,

lhiookS US IL tlltTe VIII DC III ldSt Eenu-
inc retrenchment and reform in the
Government offices of Washington.
Even that usually serene, irnperturbable
body, the United States Senate, has
caught the infection. 1t has become
alarmed at IFS own extravaganza and has
decided that its contingent fund, as well
as the secrets Of its executive sessions,
must be protected. Committeeman, who
had done nothing all winter, desired to
employ clerks, stenographers, messen-
gers and to travel about the country all
summer, stopping at this pleasant place
for time, and at that; the expense Of all
to be paid, of course, by the public. From
time to time the Senate had recorded
these privileges to large number of its
committees Other committees asked
permission to sit during the Compression
al recess, with similar favors, until the
contingent fund was threatened with ex-
haustion. Senators grew frightened at
their own prodigality, held caucuses, had
lively discussions, and voted for rctrench-
ment The junketing excursions were
all nipped in the bud Then il was
agreed to cut down the list of committees
to severely utilitarian standard. TWAS
decided that the Ben Butler house on
Capitol hill, which had been used as an
annex to the Capitol, for Senatorial com
mittees, at a cost of $4,000 a year, shall
be given up. 1t was also discovered that
over three hundred persons on the SEN
ate rolls are costing the Government
about $3500OO year. which suggested
the possibility of saving few dollars in
that direction.
That efficiency and economy are to be
the rule in the executive departments of
Government during the Cleveland adj
ministration has, by this time, been
made pretty clear. Therefore it behooves
the legislative department, particularly
that branch of it which is under Repub-
lican control, to tolerate no laziness or
extravaganza in its domain. The good
resolutions of this week were led by the
Republican Senators, and they deserve
commentator for voting to reduce the
number of underworked and overpaid
employees of their honorable, but by no
means frugal, body The thoughtful con-
stituent, too, will be flattered by Just
such little attentions to his preiudices in
favor of reform.
1t was arranged by the Senators that
the present extra session should close
last week, but the President asked them
to wait another week. He desires to
have all his diplomatic nominations CON
| iirmed, as minister and consul's would
not like TO be sent to foreign countries,
without their tenure of office being
made clear and final. His appointments
for missions to England, France, Germa-
ny, Turkey and Mexico. were much dis
cussed during the weeE, and on yesterday
Ex-Governor Jarvis name was sent in to
be confirmed as Minister to Brazil The
President decided to give this honor to
North Carolina, and the delegation from
that state, decided, in caucus, that Mr..
Jarvis was the proper man. \ position
much coveted by many applicant, that of
Commissioner of Agriculture, goes to
Missouri and to Col. Coleman Senator
Cockrell was instrumental in getting this
appointment, having worked early and
late for the nominee. Two Nirginans
were applicants for the place. Mr.. Bcver-
ly, and ex-senator Withcrs. The latter
was Endorsed by the state delegation,
but the President concluded he could
not afford to side with either faction, and
therefore left the Old Dominion out
again.
Yesterday for the first time since his
inauguration, President Cleveland attend
ed divine service. He entered small
Presbyterian Church on four-and-a-half
steet, under the pastorate of DIR. Sunder-
land, is plain, questionable church.
The President occupied pew which he
rented a week ago, and for which he
paid a quarters rent in advance. In this
matter as well as in other things, Mr.
Cleveland shows originality. He is OPP.
posed to appearing in church as Il side
show of worldly aristoCratic congrega.
ton. 1t cannot be denied that since the
time the Metropolitan church, under
Rev John =. Newman, was arranged foi
the accommodation of Gen. Grant, the