The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-10-09
From our Regular rcorrssposdsnt.I
WASHINGTON LETTER.


AcutNoioEs ~ ~ Vcts y, 1000.
There has been scarcely Z ripple to
break the political calm during the past
week. The bitter contests waged In
IOhio, Virginia aud New York are not
felt here. This IL unusual for Il has been
the habit OF previous administrations 10
throw themselves into the midst OF such
Ic0ntests with all their patronage, ores
|,ige, and influence. President Cleve-
land however has said that he will take
no active part In tho state electious and
ibis Cabinet have shown determination
10 initiate his example. But this refusal
TO enter the fray must not be construed
into any lack OF interest In Democratic
success. II Is the belief Of the President
and his constitutional advisers that they
have work before them OF the
lgrandest scope, and that the cause OF
true Democracy In state elections will
be best promoted by the general goy-
|ernment In an example ofrigid attention
to the work that strictly belongs to It.
The question as 10 who should be the
successor Of Prof. Hilgsrd % Superin-
|tendent OF the Coast Survey, has been
THE subject Of mature consideration on
the part Of the President ever since the
first irregularities In that bureau were
discovered. There are 90 many and
such weighty interests involved that Il
was difficult question TO decide who
would be the best man for the place. 1t
requires 4 man OF good executive ability
as we'll a. Of eminent scientific qualities.
II appeared to the President that these
qualities were united In the person OF
Prof Alexander Agassiz. and be accord
ingly, through the Secretary Of the
Treasury. wrote 10 him asking him to
assume the superintendency Of the Coast
Survey Bureau.
Prof. Agassiz's name was the choice
OF the President himself. No one rec
commended him for the position, but his
selection was the result Of desire Of the
Admin istration TO secure the servicee OF
the very best man possible and ss rec
ogniticn OF bic eminent scientific attain
ments. II Is understood that In the let
ter the President sent to the Professor
Iie strongly urged him TO give the coun.
Try the benefit Of his knowledge Ia the
manner which would be open
10 him through the bureau were he to|
accept the superintendency.
A party Of District Democrats went
10 the White House last week and madel
} strong appeal for the appointment oil
! fellow citizen to the Office Of Recorder
pf Deeds in the place Of Fred. Douglass.
They bad no prejudice against Mr. Dou.
on account OF HE color, but be wasl
one OF the moet offensive partisans they
ever set eyes npon and ought 10 CO..
The gentleman recommended for the
place was OF old and sristocrstic connec-
lions, With considerable influence IN Vir.
ziDis and universally popular In the Die
lrict. Ne was In every way Qvaiifledl
and would perform The duties Of the Of
ice In such manner ss would do hon.
Or 10 the President and himself. Mr..
is very familiar with thisI
'recch and hesrsi IL several times every
lay. Hc listened patiently for q while.
hen got out Of bis chair, pushed his bigI
hands way down into his pockets, aud
y snderiug toward the library windows,
ooked down over the Potomac fats IL
IN sbstrsctsd manner. Pretty soon he
urncd and asked impuisively:
lyon think there ought 10 be changel
u that Office ?"
Eyes. sis," replied the chorus.
'.very well; give INC the name Of .
'olored man competent 10 all Il and mi
appoint him to-day"
The silence thst followed was painful.
rhc President returned 10 his desk and
reading some letters that
ay open before him. The sdeIegatioDrl
II was easy 20 see that their
anxiety about . change was quenched,
md, explaining to the President that
hey were not prepared TO recommend
my colored man that evening. filed out
n the library and down the stairs.
G. A. 8.