The Press., 1885-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.

HrGSIQ00b SlGV6lauO S uISb IONSS, biiO Alos1 tional surgical convention ill session here, the annual convention of scientists, the mysterious ways of the new administra- tion. and Barnum's circus, which has had possession of the city for the past two days. are some of the things which the people of Washington have had to talk about during the week.
 The president keeps up his reputation for grim jokes in the way he doles out the offices. Pathetic spectacles of his making are seen here almost daily. An appoint ment, for which drove of the gaunt and eager have been waiting for weeks, IS sure to fall to the share of some quiet man who has never thought of asking for 1t: The pathos is not in the office sor i'll the man who gets 1t, but in the worn, weary, crush ed condition of the crowd which gets left.
 Much interest IS felt to see how many and what kind of offices will be given to the colored contingent of the democratic party. Thus far they have received only a large assortment of promises-and one route agency which was given to colored ex-congressman.
 Secretary Bayard is having hard time to get up complete diplomatic outfit. The burdens of his office press so heavily upon him that he thinks with regret of the
 
 left when he resigned his seat in the sen- ate to enter the new cabinet His ap- pointment of MT. Phelps to the English mission has been much condemned. The appointee to the Russian mission, MT. Lawton, an ex-confederate, whose disabl- 1 ities have not been removed, and who is, | therefore, ineligible. has rendered his resignation in order to avoid embarrassing the president And now since there Is doubt about the Italian government receiv- ing MT. Kelly of Virginia the newly ap- pointed minister to Rome, on account of some of his previously expressed views in regard to Italian interests, he has declined About one hundred and fifty changes were expected in the foreign service. Fifty of these have already been made, and the rest are looked for this week. There are at least one hundred applicants for the consul generalship at Paris, and there is a struggle between wealthy Philadelphia, ] New Workers and Bostonians for the Bel gium mission, which, it is understood, can go only to rich man.
 No sooner was Mr. s. $. Cox's appoint ment to the Turkish mission made known than applications for lease of his impos- ing green stone residence on Dupont Cir cle began to come in. Members of the l wealthy lookers-on in Washington applied for 1t, which shows that expensive houses do not drag on the Washington market. Secretary Manning is likely to secure the lease, although Mrs. Cox is rather unwill- ing to let her house pass into the hands of any member of the cabinet, who must en. certain great deal.
 Mild weather and moonlight combined tempted over 5000 people out to pay thei1 respects to President Cleveland on the evening of hls public reception. Before the hours for the door of the white house to open nearly 1000 were waiting in line outside. After the procession began to enter the mansion, the line was reinforced rapidly and continued to extend to the gate of the grounds for two hours. The parlors were elaborately decorated with plants and flowers, twelve wagon loads of which were brought from the bo- tanical gardens and agricultural depart ment. The conservatory of the white house was lighted, carpeted, and open to the public, and the Marine Band was grouped in the entrance hall, under the portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Curiosity was plainly evlnced in the faces of the ma. jority of the callers, and many hesitated 8 few seconds after passing the president in order to obtain better view of him.
 The disappointed office seekers and con. gressional delegations from various states that have been gradually coming to the conclusion that their place hunting mis- sions were hopeless, have made strong and combined effort during the last few days to convince the president that the welfare of the country and party and the success of his administration depended up. on more rapid succession in office
 There IS now quite an array of Illinois statesmen in the city-Messrs. Morrison Springer, Lawler, Townsend Ward and others. They say they are looking after the federal patronage in their state, but their chief business is to fix up some plan to secure the election of democaatic sen ator. It is said the president has refused to take a hand in the matter.
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