Richland beacon., 1885-04-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON April l3, 1855

90 not tnllk IL eAa3BeGalloH To
sav that many of the Government
offices in Washington havs accom-
plished more work in the last month
than was accomplished i'll any two
months OF the proceeding year. l
say many of the Offices, for some Of
them have not done much for the
reason that there is not much for
them to do. A large number o. the
offices, owing to the negligence,
idleness, and Incompetence OF the
clerks. are far behind with their work.
Thisis especially the cause with the
Patent, Pension, and Land Offices, but
within the last month wonderful
progress has been made, and it is
probable that the vexatious and
unnecessary delays that have driven
applicants for patents and pensions
to despair will be suffered 10 longer.
From the president down to his
last appointment, the persOnel of tho
administration is capable OF hard
work, and it has evidently this object
in view, more than pleasure, elnolu-
ment, or fame. Tie cabinet of the
new President are not lnen
with itching palms. They are all men
OF sufficient wealth, or men to whom
their wealth is sufficient. SO il is
with the recent bureau appointees, n
gentleman whoss fortune is not less
than $3.50, 900 Was last week appointed
to an office in one Of the departments,
the salary CT which is only $4,000.
He did not need the Office, but the
office needed him.
Heretofore the staples of
recommendation for Office have been
poverty. and patriotism. He needs
the office, he has large family. and he
was good soldier. No question as
20 fitness was considered, and the civil
service has been made an elegant and
lucrative asylum for incompetent
disabled soldiers. and dishonest
republican politicians. 1t is needless
to say that this is perversion of the
object Of government Off ces, which
have for their end the transaction Of
the postal, military, naval, and
financial business ofthe entire country
The United States pension and bounty
laws have paid .wirh a laYishness
unparalleled i'll history for the service
which every man owes tn his country,
and it is time this false philanthropy
and sentimental statesmanship Of
appointing men to offices they do not
need and are not competent to fill,
should end,
There are a great many Office
seekers in the city Il present, The
old crowd that came here on or about
the forth of March is pretty well
tninned out. Some of them linger
because they csuuot borrow money
to get home. But new crowd
has come III the last two weeks.
Their disappointment and chagrin
on learning the situation
OF affairs is picturesque.
All applicants are handed a copy Of
the civil service law, and IA blank APP
plicantion for examination. The
President does not consider any APP
pointnents for small offices, and none
will be made until after the first Of
July. Tue lew administration seelus
more anxious just now to empty than
to fill offices, and each week results
i'll the discharge of number of those
who have been kept Oh the govern
meut payrolls, although they have
rendred no legitimate service. Ii the
discharge Of this class shall be made
thorough and exhaustive, literal
millions will be saved annually, and
the morale of tue service will be
greatly improved.
The daily routine at the White
House involves an immense amount
of work. And although President
Cleveland is relieved of much work
by his Secretary, Col. Lamont, yet
a great quantity has to receive his
personal attention. The President
Is ready for work at eight o'clock III
the morning, and Is usully busy until
midnight. About ten O'Clock he
begins the perusal of such letters as
require his special attsntion. The
great bulk Of the e'letters sent to the
president marked personal" and
''comhdential,' is never seen by him.
They are from all sorts of people and
OH all sorts of subjects. Many of
them are of a character that would
seem to entitle the writer to a place
in lunatic asylum. 1t Is not uncom-
mon for these writer's to send ten and
twenty page letters, and some Of them