Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1885-02-20
WASHINGTON LkTER.
/ From oar r..g..I..r eor-esrenienl.l

The capital during the week seem:
to have been shifted to New York
City. At least New York has beer
the center of political interest, but
not half as many Democratic con-
gressmen went to see the president.
elect as were reported to have gone
A few who went have returned and
one and all seem to be much pleased
with what they have seen of the COM
ing man, who is praised as a courte-
Gus listener aud frank talker. AT
fectation and mysteriousness are not
among the faults of Mr.. Cleveland
Nothing has been learned about
the cabinet; it is evidently the in
tention of the president to take all
the time the law allows him to. build
it, and since his cabinet can do moth
ing until after the fourth of March,
this deliberation would seem to be
proper and polite.
A certain class of government
clerks are quietly preparing to go
They are the chiefs of bureaus and
their chief clerks, also a large num-
ber who are conscious of their shady
political antecedents. a number are
hoping that they may avoid that fell
sweep of the new broom. The opIn-
ion of those who have a practical
knowledge of affairs in the govern
ment offices is that there can be no
real improvement IN government
work until nine-tenths of the clerks
who are drones and politicians, have
heen swept out and been replaced,
not necessarily by Democrats exclu
siveiy, but by competent men and
real workers.
There is great deal of local talk
about the inauguration, which is now
only three weeks distant. The Dem
ocrats, of course, desire that the par
ade, the ball, the fire works, the dec
orations and the crowd, shall COM
pare in respectability, taste and
splendor with any previous similar
occasion. l think their vanity will
be gratifed. There will be fine
parade of citizen soldiery and civic
organizations. The night will be
painted in all the hues of the rain
bow by fire works; and the ball, in
a hall large enough to accommodate
Il, 900 people, which any one can at,
tend for consideration of So will be
simply stupendous.
General Hancock declined to lead
the parade from the white house to
the capital on the ground of recent
death in his family, and General
cClellen to whom the honor was
next rendered, declined on account
of engagements. 1t is well enough,
for neither of these ofd gentlemen
can sit horse as we'll as he could
twenty-five years ago, and the leader
of this parade must bestride good
ly steed. General Slocum has ac-
cepted the command of the emphem
eral army, and there is no doubt that
the brief campaign will be successful.
AS it is anticipated that a greater
number of military organizations
and civic associations will be in line
on the fourth of March than were
ever assembled here on Inauguration
day, and the task to be assigned to
General Slecum IS not an easy one.
Four years ago General Sherman
with number of aids found the la
Dor of marshaling and moving the
parade greater one than he had an
ticipated. 1t is nominally an honor,
but in fact very laborious respon-
sibility to assume the direction
and movement of vast collection
of organizations in the brief time al
lowed for such parade.
On Wednesday the formal count
ing of the electoral votes for presi-
dent will take place in congress.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills,
but one, the military academy bill,
has passed its last stage in congress.
1t awaits the action of the president.
The condition of business in congress
is such that majority of either
house can easily force an extra .ses-
sion. BUTT is not apparent that
there is any purpose to do so. The
leaders of both houses express the
opinion that the appropriation bills
will be passed before the fourth OF
March. In which case an extra
session will be necessary.
Gen. Sheridan, the marshal OF
the monument dedication has issued
his orders and appointed his aid.
The first division of the procession
will be commanded by Gen. Ayers
the second by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee Of
Virginia.
The city troops of Phlladelphi:
will come on a special train ant
bring their horses and grooms will
them. They will wear the old revo
lutionary uniforms and will bring
the standards carried at the battles
of Princeton and Trenton.
A Startling Discovery.
Mr YIN Iohneon of Huron Oak