Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June LIST, 1886.

w WASHINGTON, June ISt, 1000.
Although President Cleveland has
given no intimation of creating
sensation, the air is full of rumors
that there will soon be clean sweep
in the various Departments here.
These rumors are speculative of
course, no one being able to claim
the confidence of the Administration,
but changes, removal, and dismissals
without cause occur constantly, and
the Government clerks are kept in
such a state of anxiety that it is diff
ficult for them to perform the best
service of which they are capable.
The first of June was predicted as a
day for distribution of the fatal gel
low envelopes, and the first of July,
it is stated, will be certain day of
doom for many Republican Office
holders. However this may be,
their fears will not be quieted until
after that date.
Secretary Manning's return to the
Treasury Department after few
days absence, started new rumors
of dismissals and appointments. At
the instigation of one of his new
Democratic subordinates, he at once
dismissed four chiefs Of divisions,
against whom no charges could be
made. While such infraction of the
civil service law is committed every
Republican feels insecure, no matter
how invulnerable his record, or how
necessary his experience may be to
the public service.
On Friday last, the crowd in Mr..
Manning's Office was so large that
he could hardly dispose of it in time
to attend the Cabinet meeting Pc,
liticians from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,
Michigan and Missouri are here u.s.
ing all the pressure IN their power
to force prompt removals of Repub,
lican officials in their respective To-
calities. The Virginians are appeas.
ed to an extent by the dismissal Of a
hundred or more of Republican post
masters, but they are not satisfied,
and say they will not be until they
get Republicans out of the Depart
ments here.
Office seeking Democrats are try
ing hard now to make capital of con-
tributions to the Republican cam
paign fund. They have gone so far
as to get transcript of the record
of contributions made to the Local
Finance committee, whose head
quarters were in this city during the
campaign. The transcript gives
the names of contributors and the
amounts they gave to aid the Re-
publican cause. Contributors made
no cOncealment of what they had
done except in rare instances.
Many of them were anxious to have
it known that they had done what
was conceived to be their duty in
this respect. Now, however, it is
common for them to be met by
knowing Democrats with the threat
to "look out; you are spotted."
"Why" is often the interrogative
answer. "Ob, on such day. Civ.
ing the date. "you contributed so
much to help Blaine. You are an
offensive partisan" 1t has been
alleged that Civil Service Commits
sioner GregOry's contribution was
one of the campaign secrets. But
when that gentleman was question.
ed as to his record, he said t" Yes,
gave to the committee. l did so be-
cause / am Republican, and l
wanted the Republican candidates
elected. There are expenses in a cam
paign that must be met. Believing
the cause to be a good one, / see no
reason why / should not help it
along.n
Last Saturday being Decoration
day, the Executive departments
were closed. The day has never
been made legal holiday for the
District of Columbia, but by usage
and consent it is given to Govern
ment employees. 1t was observed
here in the usual way. Official serv-
ices were held at the National sold
iers' cemetery at Arlington, at the
Soldiers Home, the Congressional,
and Oak Hill cemeteries. Orations
were delivered, poems read, and
flowers scattered over the little
that mark the soldiers rest.
ing place.
This was done in honor Of the
dead, and the claims of the living
who fought for the same cause should
not be ignored. Law and public
sentiment demand that the Union
soldier, all things being equal, shall
have the preference for official posi-
tons, either elective or appointive.
The policy of the present admins
tratiOn has not been in consonance
with what law and public sentiment
demand in this ruottar