St. Landry democrat., 1885-10-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Washington, D. c., Sept. %, 1885

! break the political calm during the past
week. The bitter contests waged in
Ohio, Virginia and New York are not
felt here. This is unusual for it has
been the habit of previous administra-
tions TO throw themselves into the
midst of such contests with all their
patronage, prestige, aud influence.
President Cleveland however has said
that he will take no active part in the
state elections and his Cabinet have
shown a determination TO initiate his
example. But this refusal to enter the
fray must not be construed into any
lack of interest in Democratic success.
1t is the belief of the President and his
constitutional advisers that they have
a work before them of the grandest
scope, and that the cause of true
Democracy in. state elections will be
best promoted by the general govern
ment in an example of rigid attention
to the work that strictly belongs to it.
The question as to who should be the
successor of Prof. Hilgard as Superin-
tendent of the Coast Survey, has been
the subject of mature consideration OD
the part of the President ever since the
first irregularities in that bureau were
discovered. There are SO many and
such weighty interests involved that it
was difficult question to decide who
would be the best man for the place
It requires man of good executive
ability as we'll as of eminent scientific
qualities. It appeared to the President
that these qualities were united in the
person of Prof. Alexander Agassiz, and
he accordingly, through the Secretary
of the Treasury, wrote to him asking
him to assume the superintendency of
the Coast Survey Bureau.
Prof. Agassiz's name was the choice
of the President himself. No one re-
commended him for the position, but
his selection was the result of desire
of the Administration to secure the
services of the very best men possible
and MS recognition Of his eminent
scientific attainments 1t is understood
that in the letter the President sent to
the Professor he strongly urged him to
give the country the benefit Of his
knowledge in the practical manner
which would be oDen to him through
the bureau we're he to accept the super
intendency.
Prof. Agassiz is a man of large
.a.iGh on1 ;rAra~na ard ng1.n Of the
most prominent scientists in the United
States. He is a son of the late Prof.
Louis Jean Rudolph Agassiz, the great
Swiss naturalist and geologist, who
took up his residence in this country
in 1e48 and died here in 1873. The son
ably filled the fathers place, and is au-
thority on most scientific subjects.
A party of District Democrats went
to the White House last week and made
a strong appeal for the appointment of
q fellow citizen to the Office of Recorder
of Deeds in the place of Fred Douglass.
They had no prejudice against MIR.
Douglass on account of his color, but
he was one of the most offensive parti-
sans they ever set eyes upon and ought
to 60. The gentleman recommended
for the place was of old and aristocratic
connections, with considerable influence
in Virginia and universally popular in
the District. He was in every way
qualified and would perform the duties
of the Office in such a manner as would
do honor to the President and himself.
Mr.. Cleveland is very familiar with
this speech and hears it several times
every day. He listened patiently for q
while, then got out of his chair, pushed
his big hands way down into his pockets
and, wandering toward the library
windows, looked down over the Poto-
mack fats in an abstracted manner
Pretty soon he turned and asked i'm
puisiyely.
You think there ought to be change
in that Office =
Yes, sir replied the chorus.
Very we'll; give me the name of
.colored man competent to fill it and Fl
appoint him today
The silence that followed was pain
full. The President returned to hii
desk and commenced reading some let
ters that lay open before him. The
delegation consulted: it was easy t.
see that their anxiety about change
was ouenched. aud. explaining TO tht