The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-02-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9th, 1885.
The Capital during the week seems to have
been shifted to New York city. AT least New
York has been the centre of political interest,
but not half as many Democratic Congressman
went to see the Presdent-elect as were reported
to have gone. A few who went have returned
and seem TO be one and all much pleased with
what they have seen of the coming man, who is
praised as courteous listener and frank talker.
Affectation and mysteriousness are not among
the faults Of Mr.. Cleveland :
Nothing has been learned about the Cabinet it
is evidently the intention of the President to take
all the time the law allows him to build It, and
since his Cabinet can do nothing until after the
fourth of March, this deliberation would seem to
be proper and polite.
certain class of government clerks are quiet
X preparing to 60. They hey are . the chiefs of
Der who are conscious of their shady political
antecedents. A large majority are hoping that
they may avoid that fell sweep of the new broom.
The opinion of those who have practical know
ledge of affairs in the Government offices is that
3 there can be no real Improvement In government
work until nine tenths OF the clerks who are
drones and politicians, have been swept out and
been replaced, not necessarily by Democrats ex-
clusively. but by competent men and real work.
ers.
There is great deal of local talk about the
inauguration, which Is now only three week, dis
parade. the ball, the fire works. the decorations
and the crowd, shall compare In responsibility,
and ,bs with any peySus
There will be fine parade Of citizen soldiery
and civic organizations The night will be paint
and the ball In a hall large enough to accommo-
date 1000. and which any one can attend for the
consideration Of five dollars will be simply stu
pendous. m
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 Mcclellan to whom the honor was next
rendered, declined on account of engagements.
1t is well enough, for neither of these gentlemen
can sit horse as we'll as he could twenty-five
years ago, and the leader of this parade must be-
stride goodly steed. General Slocum has ac-
cepted the command of the ephemera army, and
there is no doubt that the brief campaign will be
successful.
On Wednesday the formal counting of cleo.
toral votes for President will take place in Con.
gress.
or 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
minority of either house can easily force an ex
ira session. But 1t Is not apparent that there II
any purpose to do So The leaders of both houses
express the opinion that the appropriation
bills will be passed before the 4th of March
In which case no extra session will be necessary
Gen. Sheridan. the Marshal of the monumen
dedication, has issued his orders and appointed
his aids. The first division of the procession
will be commanded by Gen. Ayers, the secont
by Gen. Fitzhugh Lee Of Virginia
The city troopso of philadelphia Will come on