Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-05-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, May 4th, 1886.


the old truth that wMore worship
the rising than the setting SUM-"
They hear a great deal of the short
coming and peccadilloes of the illeg-
alities and tyrannies of their prede-
cessors in Office. Ex-Secretary Tel
ler's Indian policy is severely criti-
cised. Secretary Chandler's manage
ment of the Navy Department
is ridlculed by navy officers and even
Mr.. Robert Lincoln, who presided
over the War Department with
thorough integrity and good sense, is
not exempt from the disparaging
contrasts which are sure to be drawn
between a departed ruler and the
man who sits in the place he vacated.
These attacks began even before the
close of the late Administration.
The heads ofDepartments were warn
ed that they were officially mortal.
Among Government place holders,
the army and the navy are keenly
alive to the fact that their employ
ment is permanent, and that those
of the Secretarieswho preside over
them are only temporary. They
showed their appreciation of this
truth. by an attack upon Mr.. Lincoln
a few days before his retirement
from Office, and as for Mr.. Chandler,
he found himself unable to move
without criticism for months before
he retired.
President Cleveland's Secretaries
viii sooner or later be outgoing
officers, and then they will be made
conscious Of preparations to transfer
worship to their successors.
Ex-Secretary William E. Chan
der has remarked that there IS not
so much allusion to Bill" Chandler
now that the new Administration
has three Secretaries who are liable
to be called Bill by their enemies.
These are VIM. E. Endicott, VIM. G.
Whitney, and VIM. F. Villas.
There have been several important
removals from Office in the Treasury
Department during the week, the
places being filed promptly with
Democrats. One of these new offic.
ials on being asked if he contemplate
ed making changes in the force I'M
der him, replied that it would be
very strange if he did not. Secre.
tary Manning's future actions are
awaited with much interest, as it is
understood that he has no respect
for civil service principles, and that
he is the most influential member OF
the new council board. He is quoted
as having decided not to disturb the
old soldiers who are watchmen, la.
borers, &C., in his Department, but
no Republican employee can feel
safe in these days of change.
Senators and Members now in
the city are seriously considering the
necessity of having an extra session
of Congress in the event of war be.
tween England and Russia, in order
to repeal the registration laws re.
speeding shipping vessels. 1t is be.
lieved that permission for foreign
vessels to sail under the American
flag would give the United States
control of the carrying trade of the
world. Western and Southern
members of Congress are heartily in
favor of an extra session.
There was a meeting at the Ebbitt
House the other night to get up a
protest against the Presidents ap.
polntment of Mr. Metre to be consul
at Nagasaki, Japan. He is the per.
son who, some weeks ago, while
drunk, assaulted Commodore Trux-
ton IN the lobby ofthe Ebbitt House,
because the Commodore had refused
to speak to him. Metre was once a
lieutenant of marines, and went in
to the rebellion. When he was ar
rested at the Ebbitt House he shrek
ed, "I'm rebel yet" They took
him then to the station house. His
chances for confirmation by the Sen.
ate will be very small.
Secretary Lamar has given per-
mission to the "Little Sisters of the
Poor" Catholic charitable organl-
cation, to stand in the corridors and
at the entrance of The Interior De-
partment, and solicit contributions
from the employees. The clerks CON-
plain of this.
The President took a holiday on
Monday with the members of his
Cabinet, all of them going to Gettys-
burg to the meeting Of the First
Army Corps. Miss Cleveland went
to New York last week and is still
absent. She went to rest, stipuIat-
ing that her New York address
should not be told, and also to select
some articles for the Soldiers Home
cottage, which she, the President
and Col. Lamont's family will occupy
during thp SIMMER. nnrino tho