New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-06
BEGINNING THE REFORM FOR sP0ILS.
SURPRISE IN WASHINGTON AT TaE DEMAND u
tpr TELnonAru TO TIE TRIBUNE J

IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WAsHINGroN April 5.-Ihe Senate having ad-
iourDed the Democratic crusade against Federal
officeholders who are Republicans and who were
appointed for fixed terms has begun The initiative
is taken by the Interior Department. the head OF
which is ex-Confederate and tie first blow
struck Is at woman, the orphan of man Nho
was gallant Union soldier, and who lost an arm
on the battlefield. The demand tor the resignation
of Miss Ada G. Sweet, United States Pension Agent
at Chicago causes general surprise. and provokes
much un favorable comment in Washington.
Some ten years ago Miss Sweet was
appointed by General Grant TO the Office
which she now holds after the death
of her father General B. j. Sweet That
she has been capable faithful and efficient officer
is admitted by Commissioner Black Why it
should have been thought necessary TO use the
telegraph TO transmit the demand for resigDat on
to take place three months hence when it could
have been transmitted by mail in twenty-four
hours may seem Inexpcable TO some persons, but
the reasons are not difficult TO discover On Tues
day is to be held the election for city officers in
Chicago, and Carter Harrison is the Dem
cratic candidate for Mayor. The "hun-
cry aud thirsty" Democratic "strikcrs" who
have been faithful hitherto in consideration of the
municipal spoils dealt out TO them with so liberal
hand, have shown a disposition III seems 10 siflke
for higher wages They wanted to know when, if
ever the spoils of Federal Office and employment
are to fall within their grasp and whether 1t be
true that the President intends to allow Repnb-
Lcans to remain in Office until the expiration of
their commissions. and their representatives in
Washington warned the Administration that if
this should be the policy at Washington the first
important political contest Of the year would re-
suit in O Democratic defeat In Chicago. The
warning was needed and lest The assurances would
be too late if conveyed by the mail 1T was dis
patched by telegraph.
The records of the Pension Bureau fully sustain
the admission made by Commissioner Black IN his
dispatch 10 Miss Sweet that she has performed her
duties with ability. fidelity and efficiency. IL IS
not too much to say that she is as capable and
ent aud useful postmaster 1t cannot be truthfully
charged that she has neglected her duties TO devote
herself politics, That she has caused or allowed
her sub0rdiaates TO do So and yet she must be an
"ofiensiys partisan" in the opinion OF Commits
sioner Black CONGRESSMAN Skinner, Mayor Harr-
son, Chairman Obcry and other noi.partIsan
Illinois patriots as well as IN the
.dgemcnt of Nike Mcdonald, who with other
Chicago gamblers, has just paid an assessment of
home $4,000 to he used by the Democrats IN
Idcsday's election. Joe " Macken also probably
erees with Carter Harrison in this as III other mat
ters
Secretary Lamar may have reason OF ms own
for demanding Miss sweets removal Probably nc
has not forgotten that when his Trend, JACOB
Ihompson-to honor whose memory the stars ano
Stripes were lowered recently-was trying to carry
ons ais plans to burn Northern cities and release
sebels from Northern Driaons in 1854. General d.