Omaha daily bee., 1885-05-20
THE national CAPITAL.

PRESIDENTIAL APPO1NTMTNMS N POLICY
GOSSIP ABOUT THE BUREAUS.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May1S.- "A Chicaoe
Tribune special says: There Is no question
that the administration is preparing for o very
general change in the offices throughout vice
country in all branches of the public ser
at the beginning of the fiscal year. The
otiiceseekers have all been given TO understand
that that is the policy of the president. The
letter of Postmaster-G Genera Villas relative to
fourth class. offices is but one indication of the
decision of the administration that It will no
longer be possible to strictly adhear to the
protested theories of civil-service reform, and
that the aid of congressman and of the DO.
litical machine is desired and will
be sought. Combinations among the
politicians are already forming in
the various states to control all patronage,
based upon what they are now advised Is to
be the new departure of the administration.
TIL president will probably select a few men
In each state whose advice will be accepted as
to the appointments, The men who, it is
| said. are to control the New York patronage
are Secretaries Manning and Whitney and
Assistant secretary Fairchild. There has
been astrong effort made to induce the pre-.
sident to make some important changes in the
district offices, but the following views upon
this subject are attributed to the president
by a gentleman who holds intimate relations
with him:
The president thinks that, as the various
persons and delegates frcm states and terri.
tories who como here about appointments
have not only in many instances to travel
long distances, but are at expense while here,
they should fret receive consideration. Every
day Of delay entails that much more expense
upon them. Meantime the district offices are
complain of except the politics of the incum-
bents, and it will work less %iniury-at least,
less hardship-to let our matters stand for o
time.
Complaint is made of Secretary Lamar be-
cause in making up the list of special agents
for the bureau of labor, not one woman has
been appointed. The complaint is, that q
large proportion of the laboring classes are
women. The secretary was asked to recog-
nlze the women who labor by sele citing one Of
them as q special agent to investigate the
problems affecting them as o part of the labor
ing classes, but he refused to listen to the APP
peal. A lady who interested herself IN the
myself, and urged that working women be
represented on the commission. But with all
my matter of fact, practical way of reasoning,
Mr.. Lamar wouldn't come down from the
clouds. He replied to my com.
mon sense arguments with gall
ant speeches and chivalrous asssr-
tions that women ought to be taken care of,
dib ohob tlOJ oioulu 10 PEOGSOICu duu
sheltered from all rough contact with the
world. 1t was the old theory of regarding
women as twining vines, tender flowers and
ornamental shrubbery, thriving only in the
conservatory atmosphere. He holds to the
old southern estimation of women, which is
all very pretty in romance and real life lux.
ury, but it is about as helpful to working
women in their struggle for bread and butter
rs q camel's hair shawl or Worth gown would
be in a log cabin in the wilderness.
NOW the appointments are not political,
or should not be, and / maintain that it Is not
just to ignore the intelligence and industry of
women by ignoring their claims to representa-
ton 10 this labor bureau. Secretary Lamar
would have no difficulty in finding women
quite as capable as men fer this work. 1t
would be q most natural and womanlke duty
for a woman to study the condition of women
among the working ~classev. BUTT seems that
he did not think 80, aud in fact, all l accom-
plished, after a persistent talk of ten minutes,
was to get Mr.. Lamar down to earth long
enough to promise to consider it,"
1t seems now certain that Fir, It Assistant
Postmaster eneral Hay will not be able to
perform the duties of his Office, and that he
will resign. He is expected soon to return to
Washington, and it is reported that there isno
perceptible improvement of his health. Penn.
sylvania politicians, who know the circum-
stances, express surprise that he should have
been selected, and, being appointed, that he
should have accepted. There is good reason to
fear that Mr.. Hay is struggling with consump-
ton and that there Is no rational hope that
he will ever be able to undertake the
laborious duties of the position he holds. He
has not performed any service, and doubtless
has a very inadequate knowledge of the
requirements of the place The president ex-
pected much of Mr.. Hay. as 1t was known
that he had good executive ability and was
qualified for the Office in every respect except
his health. The Pennsylvania democrats, on
the assumption that he cannot retain the
place, are already endeavoring to regain lost
again pressed for that office. Mutchler was
strongly recommended for the position at the
time Hay was appointed. When in congress,
Mutchler was for a time chairman of the com.
mittee on civil ~service reform. He liz, there.
fore, posi- oily qualified to pass upon the civil
service merits of Villas recent circular.