The Osceola times., 1885-10-10
WASnlNGTONLETT
Qrom Our Regular Correspondent, (,

| WaReu In Ohio, virginia ana New
York are not felt here. This is un'
usual, for it has been the habit oi
previous administrations TO throw
themselves into the midst of such
contests with all their patronage,
prestige, and influence. President
Cleveland however has said that he
will take no active part in the state
elections and his Cabinet have shown
a determination to initiate his exam
pie. But this refusal to enter the
Gsy must not be construed into any
lack Of interest in Democratic sue
cess. 1t is the belief of the Pres,-
dent and his constitutional advisers,
that they have work before them
of the grandest scope, and that the
cause Of true Democracy In state
elections will be best promoted by
the general government in an exam
pie Of rigid attention to the. work
that strictly belongs to it.
The question as TO who should be
the successor of Prof. Hilgard as Su-
pcrintendent Of the Coast Survey,
has been the subject Of mature con-
sideration on the part OF the Presi-
dent ever since the first irregulari-
ties in that bureau were discovered.
There are so many and such we;ghty
interests involved that it was diff
cult question to decide who would
be the best man for the place. 1t
requires n man Of good executive
ability as well as Of eminent scien-
ti6c qualities. 1t appeared to the
President that these qualities were
united IN the person Of Prof. Alex
ander Agassiz, end be accordingly,
through the Secretary of the Treas
ury, wrote to him asking him to as
sumo the superintendency Of the
Coast Survey Bureau.
Prof. Agassiz's name was the
choice of the President himself. No
one recommended him for the posi-
ton, but his selection was the result
Of desire Of the Administration to
secure the services Of the very best
men possible, and as recognition
Of his eminent scientific attainments.
1t is understood that in the letter
the President sent to the Professor,
he strongly urged him to give the
country the benefit of his knowledge
in the practical manner which would
be open to him through the bureau
were he to accept the position.
Prof. Agassiz is man Of large
wealth and influence and one of the
most prominent scientists in the
United States. lie is a son of the
late Prof. Louis Jean Rudolph Agas-
sig, the great Swiss naturalist and
geologist, who took up his residence
in this country in lS4S and died here
in 1878. The son ably filled the
fathers place, and is authority on
most scientific subjects.
A party Of District Democrats
went to the White House last week
and made strong appeal tor the
appointment of fellow citizen To
the office Of Recorder of Deeds III
the place of Fred Douglas. They
had no prejudice against Mr.. Doug
lass on account of his color, but he
was one of the most offensive parti-
sans they ever set eyes upon and
ought to go. The gentleman recon-
mended for the place was of old and
aristocratic connections, with consid-
erable influence in Virginia and uni
versally popular in the District. He
was in every way qualified and would
perform the duties of the office in
such manner ~ would do honor to
the President aud himself. President
Cleveland is very familiar with this
speech and hears it several times
every day, He listened patiently
for d while, then got ont of his chair,
pushed his big hands way down into
his pockets, and, wandering toward
the library windows, looked down
over the Potomac fats in an abstract
ed manner. Pretty soon he turned
and asked impulsively:
"You think there ought to be a
change in that Officer"
"Yes, sir" replied the chorus.
"Very well; give me the name of
a colored man competent to fill it
and I'll appoint him to-day"
The silence that followed was
painful. The President returned to
his desk and commenced reading
some letters that lay open before
him. The delegation consulted; it
was easy to see that their anxiety
about change was quenched, and,
explaining to the President that they
were not prepared to recommend
any colored man that evening, filed
out Of the library and down the
stairs,