St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-02-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
Feb. 3rd, 1885.


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 tile President-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 a
courteous listener and frank talker.
Atfectation and mystenousness 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 deliheration would
seem to be proper and polite.
4 certain class of government clerks
are quietly preparing to go. They are
the chiefs of Bureaus and their chief
clerks, also a large number who are
conscious of their shady political ante
cedents. A large majority are hoping
shat they may avoid that full sweep of
the new broom. The opinion of those
who have practical knowledge of
affairs in the Government offices is that
there can be no real improvement in
government work until nine tenths of
the clerks, who are drones and pOliti-
clans, have been swept out and been re-
placed, not necessarily by Democrats
exclusively, but by competent men and
real workers.
There is a great deal of local talk
about the inauguration, which is now
only Shree weeks distant. The Demo-
Gratis, of course, desire that the parade,
the ball, the fire works, the decorations
and the crowd, shall compare in respec-
liability, taste and splendor with any
arevious similar occasion. think their
vanity will be gratified. There will be
a fine parade of citizen, soldierly and
civic organizations. The night will be
painted in all tho hues of the rainbow
by fire works and the ball, in a hall
Iarge enough to accommodate twelve
thousand, and which any one can attend
for the consideration of five dollars will
be simply stupendous.
General Hancock declined to lead the
parade from the White House TO the
Capital on the ground of a recent death
in his family, and General McClellon,
to whom the honor was next rendered,
declined on account of engagements.
It is we'll enough, for neither of these
old gentlemen can sit a horse as well as
he could twenty five years ago, and tle
leader Of this parade must bestride
goodly steed. General Slocum has ac-
scepted the command of the ephemeral
army, and there is no doubt that the
brief campaign will be successful.
AS it is anticipated that greater
number of military organizations and
civic associations will be in line on the
fourth of March than were ever assem-
bled here on inauguration day, the task
to be assigned 20 General Slocum is not
an easy one. Four years ago General
Sherman, with large number of aids,
found the labor of marshalling and
moving the parade greater one than
he had anticipated. 1t is nominally an
honor, but in fact very labOri0us re-
,aponsibility to assume the direction and
movement of vast collection of or
eanizations in the brief time allowed
for such parade.
On Wednesday the formal counting
of electoral votes for President will take
place in Congress.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills,
but one the Military Academy bill, has
passed it's last stage in Congress. It
awaits the action of the President. The
condition of business in Congress is
such that minority of either house can
easily force an extra session. But it is
not apparent that there is any purpose
to do 90. The leaders of both houses
express the opinion that the appropria-
ton bills will be passed before the 4th
of March. In which case no extra ses-
sion viii be necessary.
Gen. Sheridan, the Marshall Of the
Monument dedication has issued his or
ders and appointed his aids. The first
division Of the procession will be- COM
manded by Gen. Ayres, the second by
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee of Virginia.
The city troop of Philadelphia will
come on special train and bring their
horses and grooms with them. They