Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-04-06
WASHINGTON LETTER
rncrAn.,asxsrospEsct orrHrmos,ro,
WashinQton, March. .3Oth

genuine retrenchment and reform in
the government offices of Washing
ton. Even that usually serene, i'm
perturbable body, the United States
senate, has caught the infection. 1t
has become alarmed at its own ey-
travagance and has decided that its
contingent fund, as we'll as the Sc
crets of its executive sessions, must
be protected. Committeeman, who
had done nothing all winter, desired
to employ clerks, stenographers,
messengers, and travel about the
country all summer, stopping at this
pleasant place for a time, then at
that. the expense of all to be paid,
of course, by the public. From
time to time the senate had &C
corded these privileges to a large
number of its committees. Other
committees asked permission to sit
during the congressional recess, with
similar favors, until the contingent
fund was threatened with exhaustion.
Senators grew frightened at their
own prodigality, held caucuses, had
lively discussions, and voted for re-
trenchment. The junketing excur-
sions were all nipped in the bud. Then
it was agreed to cut down the list of
committees to a severely utilitarian
standard. 1t was decided that the
Ben Bntler house on Capitol hill,
which has been used as an annex to.
the capitol for senatorial committees,
at a cost of SIS, 700 year, shall be
given up. 1t was also discovered
that over three hundred persons on
the senate rolls are costing the gov
eminent about s35O,OOO a year,
which suggested the possibility of
saving a few dollars in that direc-
ton.
That efficiency and economy are to
be the rule in the executive depart
ments of the government during the
Cleveland administration has, by this
time, been made pretty clear. There
fore it behooves the legislative de-
partment, particularly that branch of
it which is under Republican control,
to tolerate no laziness or extrava-
gance in it's domain. The good
resolutions of this week were led by
the republican senators, and they
deserve commentator for voting to
| reduce tie number of underworked
and overpaid employees of their hon.
orable, but by no means frugal,
body. The thoughtful constituent,
too, will be f1attered by just such
little attentions to his prejudices in
favor of reform.
1t was arranged by the senators
that the present extra session should
close last week, but the president
asked them to wait another week.
He desires to have all the diplomatic
nominations confirmed, as ministers
and consuls would not like to be sent
to foreign countries, without their
tenure of office being made clear and
final. His appointments for the
missions to England, France, Ger
many, Turkey and Mexico were
much discussed during the week, and
yesterday Ex-Governor Jarvis name
was sent in to be confirmed as min
lister to Brazil. The president decid
ed to give this honor to North Caro-
lima, and the delegation from thai
state, decided, in caucus, that Mr.
Jarvis was the proper man. A pc
sition much coveted by many appli
cants, that of commissioner of agri
culture, goes to Missouri and to Col
Coleman. Senator Cockrell was in
strumental in getting this appoint
ment, having worked early and lat
for the nominee. Two Virginian
were applicants for the place, MI
Beverly, and ex-senator Withers
The latter was Endorsed by the stat
delegation, but the president con
Guided he could not afford to sid
with faction, and therefore left th
Old Dominion out again.
, Yesterday for the first time sine
his Inauguration, President Clevelan
y, attended divine service. He entere
;, small Presbyterian church on -Four
and-a-half street, under the pastor
ate of DR.. Sunderland, it is a plain
questionable church. The presiden
occupied a pew which he rented
week ago, and for which he paid
quarters rent in advance. In thi
matter as we'll as in other things
Mr.. Cleveland shows originality
He is opposed to appearing in churc
as side show of worldly aristC
l. cratic congregation. 1t cannot b
= denied that since the time the MI
e tropoltan church, under Rev. job
Il P. Newman, was arranged for til
accommodation of Gen. Grant, th
4 members of the cabinet, and tt
v justices of the supreme court, thel
$ has been a scramble for the place {
}, SCOUT church" in Washington.
. When ex-President Arthur toe
% his final departure from the city c
Q Saturday, a large crowd of distil
a guished people gathered at the ST
IS ton to see him off. Since he left Il
IS white house on Inauguration day,
- has been the recipient of the mo
~ lavish hospitality from Washingte
e. society. 1t is doubtful if there ev
s, was more popular president ths
lie Mr. rthur and now that ha iS 0on