Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1885-05-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.
Washington, May 2, 1885.

Washington, May 2, 1885
The last week has been about tn
first smile of spring that Washingto
has enjoyed since the peculiar verna
weather that favored President CIeve
lands inauguration. The parks
lawns and shade trees have resumes
their garb of green and The Capita
city never looked brighter and fresh
er than it does now. Since man,
thousands of shade trees have grow
to an outrageous height, Washing
ton has much improved as summe
residence, and 1t is well it has, fol
the indications are that it will be
for the next four years at least, the
enforced summer home of many who
have been in the habit of spending
the hot season in the mountains OF
by the sea. Heretofore government
clerks have been given an absence
Of thirty days with pay, With the
privilege, frequently, of thirty days
more without pay. 1t has been their
custom to leave their desks for this
long period, no matter how much
their work was behind. In this way
the public business has been neg
lected. A long summer residence
and perennial systematic Iaziness
has had the effect to place the public
service in such Iuggard condition
that it is now necessary to work of
highs in order to catch up.
1t is said the new administration
viii curtaiI the customary summer
vacation, or deny it altogether 20
those in offices and bureaus who are
behind with their work. The presi-
dent proposes to spend the summer
in the city. He will live in he pres
idential cottage at Soldiers Home,
which is about three miles from the
White House, and he will drive in
every morning, His horses have just
been received from New York; they
are an excellent pair and, it is said,
can trot mile in three minutes.
I think society is doomed to be
very much disappointed in Presi-
dent Cleveland. 1t has piped unto
him, but he will not dance. He po-
litely parties all her mealy-mouthed
overtures. Last night box was re-
served for him at an amateur oper-
attic performance, in which a large
number of society people took part.
The president was expected, but he |
did not appear. Had he been sent for
he would have been found In his of
fee in his shirt sleeves before pile |
of papTes. He has beene xpedted at |
a number OF places, but has invaria-
bly, disappointed those expecting
him. In this respect he is quite diff
ferent from his predecessors. Lin
coin, Grant, Hayes and Arthur were |
frequently seen at theaters and at
private and public entertainments.
The president has made but one call,
that upon w. w. Corcoran, Esq, |
since he has been in Washington.
The new administration has gone
to work in thorough, practical
comprehensive way to make such |
changes in the management of the
business as will facilitate its trans
action, save time and money. and
better accommodate the immense
number of people who have business
with the government. This is the be-
ginning of an already well defined
and what promises to be an exceed
ngly energetic and successful pol
icy. 1t is also matter of the first
to which little, if any,
attention has been CIV
IN for several administrations past.
The Republican party, like an old
tenant, had become careless OF its
rust and had allowed the property |
TO run down, as it were, or at least to
90 unimproyed. 1t was comforta-
bly, fixed, in full possession of the
patronage and power of the govern
nent, with what it seemed to think
was an indefinite lease in prospect.
That both the need and reformton
IS made evident by the number of im~
portant steps which the Aew admin
stration is already taking and 9TH
sFs which are complated The doe
trine of letting well enough alone, to
which It's predecessors adhered. is q
loose aud dangerous doctrine, 1t is
believed that by the various plans of
reorganization are perfected which
.he heads of the departments have in
slew, the offices Will befGlled accept
IDLY to the party aud the salaries
attaching to them Will be honestly
earned.
Never Gire Up.