The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-05-23
FROM WASHINGTON
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 16, 'S5

WASHINGTON, u. u, May 10, 'S5.
There is music in the air for President
Cleveland and his administration. The
clans are gathering, and it must be con-
fessed that the outlook bears anything
but peaceful aspect. For several days
past large number of leaders of the
Democracy have been quietly assemb-
ling i'll Washington, and great deal of
speculation has been wasted as to the
subject of their coming. Since their
arrival they have preserved q most dis
erect and unusual silence. A few have
fitted through the hotel corridors and
in and out of the White House with a
most mysterious air, and all the while
nothing of importance came to the sur
face, but the undercurrent was running
remarkably strong. Every effect has its
cause, and the trembling of the political
waters has but another example of this
law. The President it appears, has not
been giving that satisfaction to some of
the leaders they believe to be their right,
and while they are in no sense of the
word mere ofliceseekers, they have
friends who are, and to whom Mr.. Clcve-
land has persistently been turning avery
frigid shoulder. 1t is to show him the
errors of his ways, and to convince him
that the straight and narrow path of
Jacksonian and Jeffersonian Democracy
is the proper road for the pressure of
the Presidential feet that this gathering
has assembled.
President Cleveland is earning great
reputation for good nature. Especially
is this shown by his taking time when
ever possible to see the people who
merely wish to shake hands with him.
About two weeks ago he caused it to be
announced that he would discontinue,
because it took up too much time, the
practice he had followed since the fourth
of March, of seeing on four days in the
week about one O'clock visitors who did
not call to see him on business. He
gave the order to the ushers to this eff
feet, but the people continued to come
anyhow and persisted in asking to see
him, so the President who can be so
firm in refusing the demands of politici-
ans when any principle would be violat-
ed by aeeeding to their request, proves
to be to amiable TO disappoint those who
merely ask a sacrifice of his personal
convenience, and he does find the time
whenever possible to shake hands with
those who want nothing more from him,
though often as many as one hundred
assemble for that purpose and wait until
he comes to them.
The absorbing topic Ia the Treasury
Department, and in all administrative
reform circles just now, is the course to
be pursued in reference to chiefs of di-
vision, This large class of pnbjie serv-
ants, who have risen fr0ia the ranks of
clerkships by long and faithful service,
and acquired valuable experience and
knowledge, are not protected by the civ
il-service law, The President has said
that these are not political places and
that faithful and efficient men in these
positions will not be disturbed, In the
Treasury Department four chiefs of di-
vision have been displaced. First, the
chief of the Appointment Division made
room for Higgins, then two ehiefs. in the
Sixth Auditors Office were superseded
by partisan appointees, and then the
elfief Of the Customs Division retired by
request. These changes give rise to
daily rnnors of requests for the resigna-
tion of chiefs of division, and the most
efficient as well as the least competent
chiefs are named by these rumors.
Some Treasury officials believe that Sec
retary Manning has already yielded to
pressure in two or three cases and Is not
able TO Withstand the force brought to
bear upon him. From this they argue
that nearly all the chiefs of division
win go. The pressure for appointment
will undoubtedly lead to the displace-
ment Of all but the conspieuously effici-
ent and competent men, but il is conf
dently claimed that none Of these will
be disturbed.
In digging over some rubbish at the
arsenal the other day, the cross-piece of
the gallows upon which Mrs. Surratt
was executed in 1855 came TO light 10
awaken some historical recollections of
that tragic period in the life our country.
The opinion that this terrible punish
ment should not have been visited upon
this woman under the peculiar circum-
stances of her connection with the con-
spifaey 10 assassinate the President, Is
now entertained probably by large
majority OF those who clamored for her
blood in the exciting time of her trial
and conviction by military commission.
went oHt to Mount Oliyef the other
day TO visit the grave OF this unfortunate
woman, whose resting place Is in
seclude portion Of the cemetery. A simple
stone with the Inscription ''AIrs. Surratt"
is all that marks the spot. There is no
date OF birth or death, no inkling Of her
terrible history, no fulsome epitaph to