Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-05-01
washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. April Il, 1851.

ter. 1t is reculiarity Of the pre-
seut revolution that it is steady and
constant. but noiseless and without
GRASSLAND accompaniment. 1t can
he seen and appreciated only by
those who are profoundly acIuain;-
ed with the policy aud practice OF
the party that had been IN control
of the country since Grant defeated
Greeley. This embraces a period
! of twelve years, and covers an era III
the history OF the United SAFES es-
sentially different from the twelve
years of Republican asecni.ncy
which preceded Grants secon'! 'rlnI.
The moderation and circa.l- 'er-
ton with which the present \ tIiln-
istration has proceeded to reform
deer-rooted wrongs, and decimate
iibrous abuses is causing not only
the office-seeking class, but many
honest though rash refoimers TO eX-
press impotence aud disgust. A
thorough knowledge Of the polllicrl
situation will convince those capable
OF seeing and Knowing :iiat ,:.e wiser
craftsmanship Is to hasten slowly IN
the start. y wise general will not
begin long march at the top of his
speed, and before surveying and
choosing the safest route. The new
Administration has had time to do
little more than look over the field,
and map its course, and yet real and
important reforms have been accom-
plished. All the Government offices
are accomplishing an amount of
work that is astonishing to those VINO
have been accustomed to the old,
dawdling, slip. shod habit of the De
partments. In some offices they
have not only kept up the current
work, but have actually gained two
or three months on the back or de-
layed work. The capacity of the av-
erage Government clerk to do any
thing but talk politics aud scandal
during office hours astonishes no
one, perhaps, more than the clerk
himself. The appearance on the
scene, as his masters, of those who
are not politically friendly to him OF
to his methods has acted like tonic
upon him, and for the first month in
his clerical life he has been going to
bed with the novel reflection that he
has earned his salary.
The President is being urged tc
strengthen the Democratic party il
close States having elections this
year by the removal of Republicans
holding Federal positions, and the
appointment of Democrats in theil
places. The Virginia Democratic
leaders are asking for early attention
to the political situation in theil
State, and there are indications tina
within short period some change!
will be made in important offices
there. Ohio Democrats are alst
: calling for the assistance of the Ad
F., ministration. The Democrats of Ore
8 gon represent that they can carry thu
| next Legislature, and thus secure
Senator to fill out the term now va
cunt, because of the neglect of til,
4 Republican majority to choose a sue
+. cessor to Senator Slater, if the Ad
: ministratiOn will GUST Federal off
$ Gals who make use of their place
t for political ends. The Presiden. i
+ not asked to make changes simpl,
! for the purpose of helping his party
+ but the request is, that he shall max
9 certain removals because, as is al
t legged, the incumbents arc politica
:, managers who give most of thei
It time to political work. In regar,
d to Oregon, it has been submitted t,
It the Presiden. that seven Fedora
: officials Of Portland dominate Re
J. publican politics in that State; tina
s they control the machine, and ar
n now laboring in behalf of the Repub
lican party. 1t is charged that tn
arbitrary rule of this clique of Off
Gals really caused the breach in tn
. Republican party which prevented
. the election of Senator last Win
ter; that a faction of the Republ
cans revolted against the despoti
sway of the Portland ring, and tina
the interests of the people general
call for the smashing of this politica
~ machine. The President has beel
advised, also, that the Portland Fed
= eral officials are now endeavoring t.
Il persuade Gov. Moody to conven
the Legislature ia special session 70
the sole purpose OF another effort t.
force in the boilers and elect Sen
+ ator; but the Governor refuses t.
h issue a call unless an agreement j
7 entered into beforehand that q Sen
: ator shall be chosen. The Demo
, Gratis contend that the removal of tn
/ Objectionable Federal office-holder
a will give them a fair chance in tn
next election, and that with such
chance they can carry the Legisla
ture. Dem.
The revised edition of the Oh