The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-18
JEFFERsoNIAN SIMPLICITY.
How 1T Is Illustrated and Practiced by the
Administration.

How 1T Is Illustrated and Practiced by the
Administration.
Washington Special to New York Tribune.
"Jeffersonian simplicity" Democ ratio news
papers assured their readers, just about the
time that Mr.. Cleveland entered the White
House, ''Jeffers oman simplicity" they said was
to be marked feature of the new era of reform.
The pomp and frippery of former admnistra-
tons were to be abolished. 1t was to be gov
eminent carried on strictly on business princi-
pies" simplicity" was to be one of its watch
words. From the President and the members
of his Cabinet down, every officer of the govern
ment was to be easy accessible to the people
Indeed, writer for leading Democratic news
paper went as far in his enthusiasm few days
after Mr. Cleveland's inauguration to say: sIt is
impossible to get away from the popular notion
that President Cleveland will inaugurate an era
of simplicity in social matters. And you can
not understand how greatful this promise is un-
less you have lived in Washington and felt the
pressure and power of that social imperialism
and pretentious recklessness that marked the
final years of Republican rule. I"
'Social imperialism" and "pretentious reck-
lessness' forsooth! 1t is amusing 10 note how
the promise spoken of by this Democratic writer
has been kept. Why, with the exception of the
Attorney general there is not single member of
Mr.. Clevelands Cabinet who has not either
changed his former modest style of living since
he assumed Office to one vastly moro pretentious,
or who has not already made ample provision
for entering the social arena next winter III a
style quite the reverse of 'Jeffersonan simple
ity."
Take the case of the Secretary Of War. He is
one of the most difficult men to approach. Ex-
cept you are prepared to wait half an hour or
more would not advise you to seek the boon of
personal interview. Within day or two he
has issued an order that he will not see senators
and congressman after II o'clock or before 10.
On Saturday he will see no one. Imagine the
uproar this order will make when
Congress is in session and the mem
Der from Swampdoodle insists upon seeing
Mr.. Endicots whenever he chooses, or at
least in the hours that the department is open
for the transaction of business. Most members
of Congress have committee meetings to attend
in the morning hours, and they cannot visit the
departments except IL the afternoon. 1t is not
probable that Mr. Endicott will adhere to his
rule long after Dec 4. The Secretary has taken
ex Senator Pendleton's house in Scott Circle for
next winter. 1t is one of the show houses OF the-
capital. He will entertain handsomely it is
said ''.Jeffersonian simplicity" find no ex-
ponent in him, fear.
Next comes the Secreta ~ of the Navy Ofall
members Of Mr.. Clevelands Cabinet he if tho
most accessible. No red tape, such as the Sec
retary of War insists upon is required to add a
single inch to his official height. You can see
him at any time of the day. He is thorough
business man. He is also man OF the world
He lives well. He is fond of club life. Being a
man of considerable means. he will no doubt en-
terrain in handsome style. He certainly is the
last man to impose upon others the humbug of
'sJeffersonian simplicity.
Mr. Villas is not rich His income from his
practice was never large. He has been content.
therefore, to take a modest house in quiet pnrt
of the town. But what he would do il he had
the means car be surmised from the pomp and
circumstance with which he surrounded himself
when no first came here TO oh,ain hearing
was next TO impossible. re stand in tho awful
presence was to be made conscious of the great
privilege conferred upon you Senators and rep
resentatves Jared little better at the hands Of
this transpanted statesman than errand boys
and understrappers. lie was imbued with
sense OF his overpowering Importance that was
painful to behold He is q disciple Of ''Jeffer-
sonian simplicity from necessity.
have already said that there is no perceptsole
change in either the manner or style Of living OF