Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-23
C., March 10. 1885.

WAsHIsGrox, ID. c., March 10. 1885.
Editor Kesnebes Journal:
/ Cold, unpleasant weather 10 the order Of
the day at the capital. presaging . backward
spring and considerable fear on the part of
the farmers. The pesch-crop prognosticators
anticipate, a. usual, failure of that luxury,
and the winter wheat killer 10 around in all
his glory. But spring manages generally to
get in her work pretty nearly on time. and We
can afford to wait yet awhile. 1t 10 fact,
however. that the past winter has been an
unusually severe one in the Middle and
Southern States the fsrthest point even Key
West, having felt some of its cold snaps. 1t
is wonder that the orange crop OF Florida
has not been affected; but, on the contrary,
il would seem that it has been unusually
abundant and satisfactory. Never in the
history Of tho State have so many oranges
been shipped. And the success Of the crop 10
inducing very many more people from the
North than heretofore to emigrate to that
State and undertake orange culture. 1t will
not be very long. at this rate, before Florida
will have ~ large a yankee" ~ Southern
population. And, politically speaking. the
State for this reason is already nearly evenly
divided.
The political weather in Washington, for
ofice-seekers, seems to be cold, backward and
unpromising. The planting,--or rather the
seed for planting, 10 undoubtedly plenteous,
but the crop-the early crop at least-prom-
ises to be small The President seems to
pass BY the seeds that have sprouts &. {.
petitions) and culls his early plants from
the bottom of the heap. This causes
. great deal of surprise. CONSERVATION and
modification among the seeds-especially the
older ones. Many ask, "What will the har-
vest bel" One thing is certain already there
will be harvested much vexation, disappoint-
ment. and many bushels of explosives which
it would be unwise to mention in detail.
1t really begins to look as if the President
was really in earnest. generally speaking, in
his intentions and efforts as to civil service
reform; and if so, he will find none more
ready than his late political opponents to sec
ond his endeavors
A sound and sincere reform of this kind if
engratted upon the laws and practices of this
country and accepted in good faith BY all con-
tending political forces, and sustained by
conscientious and right minded men every
where, would be happy and suspicious era
IN the history of our nation, and would 90
very far in softening the hard political con-
tests, and weakening the many unjust and
cruel personal and extreme partizan attacks
which are now a part of such contests
There ia one seeming blot, on this new be-
ginning; which, however. cannot directly be
laid at the Presid pnt's door This is the APP
ponment of Eugene Higgins as appointment
clerk of the treasury department. Judging
from the Baltimore pap'r of either political
opinions, the appointment socially, morally,
politically and reformatorily (to coin a world
is not fit tn be made. Either Secretary Man
ming has been decidedly imposed upon or
else has some ideas Numerically opposed to
the new administration system, if general
opinion goes for ANYTHING. And it brings
out very bitter quarrel in the State of
Maryland and places the new actusry of the
treasury IN rather unpleasant and uncer-
tain position. What the outcome will be,
time alone can determine
The new Secretary of War, although not
much heard from, seems to grow in POPULAR
~ among those who become acquainted with
him OF an old Massachusetts family, he
brings with him the dignity, courtesy and
honesty which one would quite generally ex-
pect from such source. He ia 10 hearty &C.
cord with the new departure" of the Presi-
dent, and will, am assured, carry out to the
letter the principles of true civil service
reform. He will find also. as he investigates.
that his Department in almost every branch,
is in keeping ~ith this policy. Political in
fuence has had but very little bearing for
many years on the workings of this branch of
government, and merit and efficiency almost
altogether have governed its action.
The late action of Bsrrios in Central
America has causei much diplomatic COM
ment and in all political circles has aroused
stronger feeling and sentiment relative TO
our relations toward American Repub-
lies and regarding the Monroe doc
triue. Senator Edmunds' resolution, and
Secretary Baysrd's correspondence. although
differing materially As to strength. are be
lieved to sccord generally, and it is hoped
may jointly produce more decided and posi-
tive action in this direction
There is quite a strong manifestation of
regret that the conference Of American re-
/ puhlies, called during Gsrfields brief term.
/ did not assemble and determine the statu. and
relations of each and all of these. aud thus
establish q policy which would ensure peace
and prosperity at bome and protection from
/ foreign Influence. Ii ia 20 be hoped that it i.
not too late for some such policy
+ Ii is quite probable that the extra session
/ of the Senate will close very soon, probably
4 this week. or a least, before the first of
1 April 1t seems to be the determination OF
/ the President to fill for the present only those
offices which are vacant or very important.
/ leaving the others for more mature consider
alton and action. And as the late treaties
have been withdrawn, the Senate has little
or nothing on its hands to do