Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-03-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, March %, 1885.
The new administration has pass
ed another week without anything
to distinguish it in work or sensation.
The Senate awaits with patience the
expected nominations, anxious to
finish and go home. President Cleve-
land has said be would prefer for it
to continue in session until he could
consider the subject of filing foreign
missions. He wants the Senate to
pass upon his selections for diplomat
10 posts, so that the question Of con-
firmation may be settled before the
appointees 60 abroad.
Inlieu ofPresidential nominations
for discussion, the Senate talks on
treaty subjects, and is much exercis-
ed about preventing the publication
of its executive secrets. Yesterday
q stalwart messenger was stationed
outside of each gallery door, all of
which we're securely locked, to keep
newspaper men from listening.
It is amusing these days to observe
the efforts Of Democratic Senator'S
to avoid Office seekers at the Capitol.
Every morning, an hour before the
Senate convenes, applicants for SEN
atorial influence collect in the cham
Der and watch for their men. They
ply the pages with questions in re-
gard to Senator So and So. When
does he usually come, at what door
does he enteri etc, and as the hour
Of noon draws nearerthe lmpatience
Of the hungry constituent manlfests
itself. FIVE minutes before noon the
floor of the Senate is clear ed of in
truders, and the Democratic Sena-
tors are careful not TO make an ap-
pearance until after the body has
been called to order. At the falling
of the gavel they are protected by
the rules of the Senate, and they file
in five minutes after the crowd of
Office seekers has filed out.
just now there is a great deal of
talk among place hunting patriots
about the ingratitude of Republics.
They thought after the election of
Mr.. Cleveland, that there was to be
new deal all around. Everything
that had been done was to be undone.
Now they are sorely tried. The
more eager they are for Office, and
the stronger their support, and the
longer their petitions, the further
they are left by the new administra.
ton. An Office seeker in making a
calculation as to how long it will!
take, at the present rate ofprogress,
to turn the Government over to the
Democrats, reached result border
ing closely on two thousand years.
There are 963 applicants for the
place he wants.
The appointment offices of the diff.
ferent executive departments con-
tinue to be rushed with work owing
to the large number Of applications
pouring in. At the Treasury De-
partment Clerk Higgins ofrecent OF.
fensive fame finds himself the re-
cipient OF about 200 requests daily.
At the Department of Justice, the
number of applications for Office ay.
erages 800 daily, and at the Navy
Department Secretary Whitney is
flooded with the same kind OF papers.
There are several places in this
city where people make a good liv-
lug by preparing others for civil ser
vice examinations. Just before and
just after the Inauguration they had
but little business. People in Office
were uneasy aud the Democrats did
not believe they would have to un-
dergO examinations to get them.
Now the business is good again.
According to the statement of one of
the instructors, it takes about forty
lessons of an hour each to finish one
in the common branches. After
snch . course person is expected to |
be able to pass examination for a |
$1,000 or $1,000 position.
Several Of the new Senators were
sworn into Office this week. and the |
Senate will have but few vacancies
upon the adjournment of the present
special session. The biennial change
Of one third ofits number introduces
but few new faces. The Senator
from New York is probably the best
known to the country, having been
twice Cabinet member. Mr.. Evarts
has distinguished himself by silence.
He has not spoken q word except to
vote. Senator Blackburn is not new
IN Congressional experience. He
has served eight years in the House
from the old Henry Clay district of