St. Landry democrat., 1885-09-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, D. c., Sept. z, 1885.

looked under his bed every night for
concealed Office seekers. The present
Administration, perhaps takes the same
precaution. But it has also been look
ing over and under the desks and books
so long held by the truly too good Re-
publican party and the day that some
long concealed fraud is not discovered
is an exceptional day. The list has
now become so large that it can not
well be carried around in ones mind.
1t will be interesting to see it written
out in full and the amounts saved to
the Government added up. And yet,
the good work carried sn under great
difficulties, has hardly begun. Investi-
cations are new in progress about which
the public knows nothing, but their re-
suits will be disclosed in due time.
Itis well known that tue work OF dis
covering and reforming fraud and
abuses is hindered and frustrated by
the Republican clerks which surround
the new Administration on all hands.
How can they allow, much less assist
with enthusiasm, the work of their
overthrow, and how much more could
be accomplished if the maiefactors and
their accompliees were turned out, and
sincere sympathisers put in their places.
The Republican clerks are doing every
thing in their power to impede the
work of investigation and discovery.
They are fertile in excuses, and specious
explanations for the members Of their
party who have gone wrong.
am told, on what seems to be pretty
good authority, that the Civil Service
Commission is likely to be re-organized
in the interest Of reform. If the half
that is said is true it certainly needs it.
An expense account of Commissioner
Gregory has just been made public
which shows that this reformer, when
he travels, charges the Government TOR
the newspaper lie reads and the tips
which the sleeping car porters and che
walters at dollar-a-day hotels are
given, 1T wouln seem to be strainlng q
point for reformer to make sucn
charges as these under the clause OF the
law that provided for the payment OF
necessary travelling expenses. Il q
civil Service Commissioner is TO nave
his tips and newspapers paid Tor Oy
the Government, where can it end
Why should not drinks anu cigars De
paid for as well. There are officials who
might consider these necessary travel
ling expenses. But for reformer VINO
is getting $11, so per day and his travel
ling expenses to charge the Govern
ment with five-cents piece for the
newspapers he reads and the tNo-blt
piece with which he fees q servant
seems small indeed, and under the law
II ia little short of petit larceny.
Wouldn't the Commissioner have TO
black his boots and read a newspaper
If he was not travelling, or does he IN
dylge in those Iuxuries simply while on
the road
A prominent businessman and CHAIR
man OF the Democratic Central Com
mittee at Clevelrnd, Ohio, was in the
city last week. He said that every
thing was looking particularly bright
for the Democrats in that State. Hoad-
" carried the State by $4,000 majority
two years ago. And he thinks he will
have at least 10000 this time. The
Democracy he says, is united and
harmonious. They appreciate the I'M
portance Of success, and the people see,
since Sherman's bad freak at Mount
Gilead, that the Republicans have next
to nothing to stand on except the bloody
shirt issue. This has become tiresOme
and q large number of Republicans
who are disguised with their party,
but who do not exactly wish to vote the
Democratic ticket, will vote for prohl-
bition.'
The return of the President to Wash
ipgton will be the signal for an exodus
from the Watering places. Its expect
cd that oil the members of the Cabinet
win be in the city before the end OF the
week. Secretary Whitney is expected
at tile Navy Department to-day.
Secretary Manning has returned to the
Treasury department and is at work.
Nobody knows where Secretary Lamar
Is, or III he does know, he will not tell.
He stole away last week and it is sup
nosed that he is enjoying q brief rest
within easy reach of the Cabinet table.
Post Master General Villas as has teie-
qraphed that he is on his way East.
n 4 L. lS.gA kaWN