The Press., 1885-08-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. C., August 97, 1ss

Washlngton, ID. C., August 21, lSSS.
 Notwithstanding the fact that the pres,- dent is hid in the depths of the woods and the cabinet is scattered about generally the work iu all the offices at the national headquarters goes on just as smoothly as if Mr. Cleveland and all the cabinet were in the way. The secret of this is that the departments are full of thoroughly trained and reliable republican clerks long acc,ls- toned to attend to their many duties. one of which is to instruct the cabinet officers and bureau chiefs, in a delicate way, what to do. When was q boy I used to won- der how the president of the United States got through his onerons and multiplied duties. l did not then know any thing about bureaucracy and the $1 800 chief clerks. These experienced and accom- plished $1 800 clerks make the duties of administration smooth and easy routine for unskllled presidents and cabinets.
 The dispersion of the heads of the gov
 ernment has not had the effect to lessen the ranks of those who are anxious to draw pay in the humber walks of office These are still here in great numbers, and are urging thelr claims with great vehemence. It is said that a mob of them actually in- vaded the bed chamber of Mir. Lamar, the secretary of the interior, last week, and, although MT. Lamar is an early riser, they found hlm with only the drapery of his couch about him. Stormy times are pre- dicted next winter, and when the office seeker will be backed by his congressional
 delegation.
 There is talk that when congress meets and the appropriations for the mainten- ance of the civil service are being consid- cred by the house, 1t will be proposed to cut down the salaries of clerks and other
 classes of employees. It is urged that government employees are over-paid in comparison with the same classes i'll the
 employment Of private firms. One reason for thinking that the civil service would
 afford plenty of good clerks at lower sal
 aries is the fact that few of those who now
 pass the examinations are unwilling to be , appointed temporarily as copyists until va } cancies occur among the grades of clerks , Every vacancy for a copyist is taken by those who have passed the higher grade : examination.
 r Whatever changes are made in the law it is not believed they will be of kind tc 3 please the spoilsmen. They hope to have 7 the law amended so that when person
 passes the civil service examination he
 may receive a certificate to that effect, anG with that in his pocket he can seek on t his congressman, who will, after the ol(
 plan, when the spells doctrine prevailed
 go to the head of a department and say that he wants his man appointed, provided s as he is with certificate that he has pass D ed the civil service examination.
 Even if the democratic majority in tht 5 coming congress shall develop enough members to amend the present law, it il 3 3 not expected that the president will sane ' tion it, and no repeal of the law could b' passed over his veto. It is expected tha
 instead President Cleveland will direct tha
 the rules be amended so as to includ, r within their provisions officers of higher l. grade than those who are now affected b,
 it. It is said that the navy is at last to b. | overhauled to weed out shirks and sine a cures. The naval officers who have frisk Il ed so gaily in the salons of Washington r occupied the front seats at the opera, an. = been so much admired in the fashionabl.
 promenades of the city, will be sent ou upon the rough sea. Poor fellows, it vii X make some of them very sick. Our nav, s is top-heavy with officers, and all sorts o < places have to be devised in order to giv, 1 them something to do. The serviceabl ' vessels are only 39 in number, while ther, ,. are over 1 400 naval officers of all ranks
 from ensigns to admirals. If the United : States had four times its present number
 of war ships it would not lack for full
 quotas officers to command them.