News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-03-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. C.,
k9arC, 16 1S95

The new. administration with 1t
new broom has been set up for twelve
days, and as yet, nobody knows what
it means. The inost radical AMI rev.
dictionary order yet issued is that
breakfast shall be served promptly at
eight o'clock, and that the new Pres
ident will expect every man about
him to eat his hash at that hour.
We have been waiting and watch
ing for q manifestation of the much
advertised reform. but beside the dis
charge of four clerks by President
Cleveland, there has been nothing to
stir or ripple the monotony of Wash.
ington life. The White House and
the departments are daily thronged
with applicants for Office. Senators,
ex-Senators, Representatives and ex-
Representatives, and hundreds of
Democrats from the north and west
are besieging the departments for
clerkships for themselves or friends.
Many of them came to the Inaugural
Il ton limited tickets and have con-
sequentIy bad to leave, but a large
proportion have arrived since the 4th
of March, and will stay.
The policy of the new administra-
ton is to feel its way very carefully,
in the matter of appointments lest it
should cast its foot against a stone.
The Republican Senate sits in menace
of folly, and TO see that nothing is
done to the detriment of the republic
Mr.. Cleveland and his cabinet doubt
less realize that any unfit nominations,
or those made in defiance of the ten
ure of Office act will fall short of con-
firmation. Ii is this that makes them
cautious and slow.
But the rush for the places has not
slackened in the least. Applicants
plead UNFORTUNATELY, and the entire
administration is engaged most of its
time in hearing the patriots. The
latter are willing to sacrifice them
selves on the altar of their country in
all the various capacities, from a cross
roads post-otfice to the Berlin mis-
sion. Many of the office seekers COL
Iect daily in the Senate galleries 10
await Presidential nominations. They
take no interest in the proceedings OF
the body, but sit and look anxious
and hungry.
Inventors will be glad to learn that
the acting commissioner of patents
has inaugurated a reform in his de-
partment favorable to their. interests.
1t is notorious that work in the patent
Office is greatly in Arrears. and that APP
plicants for patents are often com
PEELED 10 wait eight or ten months be-
fore their cases are touched by the
government examiners. Now the
employees are prohibited from reading
newspapers during office hours, they
are permitted only halt an hour for
lunch, and are required to work nights
in the Offices when business is behind.
Mr.. Blaine's visit to President
Cleveland the other evening was an
unexpected one. He had asked for
an appointment to suit-th Presidents
convenience, and had been invited to
come at five O'Clock, the hour when
Mr.. Cleveland would be least likely to
be interrupted. The two men met
then for the first time and shook hands
cordially, as if they had not been OPP
posing candidates in the late severe
conflict. Mr.. Blaine congratulated
Mr. Cleveland, explained his absence
from the city on inauguration day
caused by the death of his sister,
talked brilliantly about men and
things, and when he retired the Pres
ident asked him to come again, re-
marking that they were near neigh
bors. Mr.. Blaine has not been to
the White House slice the winter of
1888. At Miss Cleveland's Saturday
afternoon reception, Mrs. Blaine and
her son, Mr.. Walker Blaine, were
among the callers, also Mrs. Logan.
Many eyes were directed to these Wis
itors, and it was noticed that the hos
tess detained Mrs. Blaine in CONVEX
sation for q moment as she grasped
her hand. II was trying ordeal,
that brought glow to the faces of
both ladies', but each was evidently
gratified at the meeting.