The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, April II, 1889.
There is apparently little of interest
going on in Washington just now, but
much is expected, and anticipation is on
the qui tire. The'recently appointed heads
of the department and chiefs of bureau,
have, of course many things to learn
before they can know even the routine
of their cumbrous and needlessly COM
plicated charges, The subordinates
schooled in twenty years of Republican
red tape absurdity have many things
to unlearn, if, indeed, their instruction
does not cost them their heads. | do
not believe that it will be possible for the
present administration to carry out any
pr0L osed or projected reform without a
change of crew The Republican under
lings in the various departments are
servile enough they will lick the nd
that feeds them, even though 1t be the
hand of a bloody Democrat, but they
are skilled in all the vices of political
servility, they were never chosen for
honest work, they are treacherous and
disloyal. They live in perpetual fear
and ideal exile, longing for the return Of
the Republican party four years hence.
How can such poison trees bear fruit of
civil service reform? In their heart
! they regret every measure and every
event that recommends their hated
captors to the country. 1t is only in
enthusiastic, faithful hearts and willing
/ hands that Mr.. Cleveland viii find the
| genuine sympathy and and cooperation
without which his best aspirations will
/ fall fiat.
/ The motives of the president are un-
questionably patriotic, and the broadest
and best Democracy is not partisan. 1t
/ is vet too early to eriticise his policy,
for craftsmanship, except in absolute
monarchies, must proceed with COM
/ promises. The last stronghold of the
defeated party Is in the Z. ;. Senate
/ chamber. There in desperation and at
bay the worst class of spoilsmen are
perverting the civil service reform idea of
the new administration into stumbling
block and a pitfal. The country last
November demanded change of per
sonel that was meant TO reach farther
than the White House. Unless it shall
reach much farther than now appears
probable in view of tie obstructive policy
of the Republican majority in the
Senate, the best efforts of the new
administration will be without their full
fruition.
There are many things that come
/ under the personal observation of an
old habitue of Washington that justify
i me in the opinions that have expressed
am in daily contact with politician:
Iof both parties, and with the employe:
of the various government departments
/ hear them talk and know their animu:
am persuaded that it is just as possible
: to bring about better state of things
with such servants as these as it is Il
gather figs from dried thistles
When Mr.. Lamar, Secretary of the
Interior puts his foot on a scadalou:
abuse that has existed for years, / refel
to the use of horses and carriages by til,
head of the Department and by the
chiefs of the Bureau at government
expense, the clerks of his department
make it the theme of their table tall
and speak of it contemptuously as plea
yune economy. They deride tn,
Secretary for walking to and from tn,
Department or for hiring with his owl
money common cab, when he wisne
to ride. These are little things, bu
are significant OF the low tone of ofiicia
morality and the obtuseness of mora
vision in the civil service which thi
/. administration has inherited, and whic'
it can reform only by plucking it ou
: and casting it away. G. A. ).