Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1885-11-20
ROSEBURG REVIEW
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FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 20, 1885.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Special Correspondent. ]

the assembling of Congress. Not only
the United States, but the whole CIV
ilized world awaits with interest the
first message from a Democratic Pres
ident since 1860. Mr. Cleveland has
not yet put pea to paper in preparation
OF this message to Congress, nor have
any suggestions or memoranda been
submitted to him. He will commence
this work earlylin November, and will
evote some hours to it daily until
Congress meets.
In view of the seclusion needed for
this work came the Presidents edict
on Wednesday, closing the White
House to the Office seeker and his in-
fuence from the first of November to
an indefinite time. Colonel Lamont
thinks the rule may be relaxed little
when Congress meets, SO as to admit
Senators and Representatives, but the
desire of the President is to withdraw
from the annoyance permanently.
Under the new arrangement aspir-
ants for positions viii have to reach the
President through the heads Of De-
partments; but he will still feel under
obligations to seek information as to
their fitness for Office from such sources
as he may prefer, and in such ways as
he may see fit to adopt
No one at distance from the Capital
indeed no one whose avocation does
not bring the matter directly to his
noticc-can realize the enormous de-
mands that have been made upon the
Presidents time, since his Inauguration
by petty place hunters. Those who
appreciate the duties of his office, and
who know how Mr.. Cleveland's per-
formancc Of them has been impeded by
these exaeting importunates will COM
mend the new rule. In order to pre-
pare himself for the questions of the
winter, the line had to be drawn at
last, not in spirit of exclusivencss, as
the unthinking may claim, but in de-
Tense of the public interest.
The growth of the country and the
modern system of rapid transit may yet
make necessary some limitation to the
freedom with which the Executive is
approached. This being Republic,
of course the President belongs to
everybody. He is perennial circus
that must DC seen and shook. He is
by fur the most easily approached ruler
in the world. Any citizen can walk
into his private Office unannounced,
introduce himself, aud be accorded a
personal interview Men call upon
him because they voted for Buchanan;
bridal couples call upon him as spec
tacular part of the honeymoon; and
politicians from all parts of the Union
! insist upon making his personal
acquaintance.
Candidates for the districts offices
and their friends are growing anxious
as November approaches, for it is
thought that early in that month the
President will begin to make the long
discussed changes. The latest gossip
says that Gen. Farnsworth will be the
next Marshal of the District of Colum-
bia. 1t is known that the President
has wished to have personal friend
in the Office which is SO close to HIM
self. Gen. Farnsworth is a close friend
Of the President, and was upon his
staff when he was governor of New
York.
The President is experiencing diff
fculty in recognizing the Civil Ser
vice Commission. He regards reform
in the Civil Service one of the most
importans features of his Admins
tration, and he is trying to secure
men for the place whose names will
guarantee practical carrying out of
the duties Of the Office. 1t is hard
to find such men as possess the neces-
sary qualifications, and who are will
ing to make the sacrifice The salary
is only $500 year. Three gentle
mon have already declined appoin-
lnent. Congress will probably be
asked during the winter to increase
this compensation.
There are quite number of house
hunting Congressman in the city who
are deploring the scarcity of suitable
residences. The transient winter pop
ulation of Washington is SO large that
the supply of desirable furnished
houses for rent was exhausted some
weeks ago, and many of the late com
ers viii be compelled toput mp at ho-
tells. This mode of living is not fash
ionable here, however. It is the GUS
tom for public men to keep house.
Congressman Fisher, of Michigan,
aud Bayne, Of Pennsylvania, failing
10 set the kind Of houses they want,
made arrangements yesterday to board
their families during the session of
Congress. The latter, though a Re-
publican, remarked that the Cleveland
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