The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-07-24

wump ON CiviI-Servic6 Reform
The story of tho Man Who Wanted
to Have His wife Put Out Of OMce,
that He Might Get the Place Him.
self.
"A recent Washington special to the st.
Louis GIobe-DemocJaf tells the following
story \ man called upon the head of one
of the Government bureaus the other day
and introduced himself as the husband of
one of the lady employees. lie explained
that he had just been discharged from his
position in another Department, and he
attributed this mainly TO the fact that it
was known that his wife was in Govern
ment employment. He then went on to
suggest that his wife be discharged and
her place be given to him. "The money
is in the family, is it not ~ asked the off
cial. "What difference does 1t make to
whom it is paid % eyes" replied the
visitor, "but she doesn't give me any for
myself" "Your wife provides bread and
clothing for you and the children, and she
is good wife, is she not" continued the
official. "Oh, yes have no fault to find
with her on that account, but want to be
the head of the house, and when she gets
the money she is the head" ct occurs to
me-" observed the official with undis-
gliised contempt, chat if my wife was sup
porting herself and the family, that |
would turn in and earn my own living"
"But can't earn my living" was the help
less response; 81 don't know how" lie
went on to urge that his request be
granted, but he was told that, even if
there was no other objection to the trans
Ger, it would he contrary to law.
*##
Mr.. T.ucius Swift of Indiana, who is
loboring for the removal of Postmaster
Jones of indianapolis because he is not of
sufficiently broad gauge pattern AS a civil
service reiormer to suit Mr. Swilt's notion
returns home with the impression that
President Cleveland is the right man in
the right place, though good deal de-
ponds, it may be- ON whether he removes
Postmaster Jones or not. This is what he
says of Mr. Cleveland: 1T is u mistake to
suppose that the President is physically
breaking down; he is equal to the position
and to the great pressure bearing upon
him. After the campaign talk | was
anxious TO see what sort of looking man
he is. His face had no coarseness. lie
has the calm and steady demeanor of a
Judge, coupled with great kindliness of
manner. In every matter he impresses
one with nobility of purpose. His demand
for facts is almost Unsuitable. felt that |
was talking to Il really great manly that
| mean man who knows how to give the
wheel of modern government in this coun-
try the right turn, and has the strength to do
it. AS an instance of the motives govern
ing the President, was representing to
him that in any struggle occurring between
him and any set of persons, as to whether
the spois system should continue or be
broken down, there could be but one result,
he interrupted me and said THAT has
nothing to do with it, The only way to
do is to find out what is right, and then do
it without any regard to the result"
wv
"Did you see the President% asked a
New Orleans States reporter of United
States Marshal Pitkin upon the return of
the latter from Washington. 81 did,
had very pleasant interview, told him !
was in six Northern States in the cam
paign of last year, and that while, perhaps,
rather heterodox louisiana Republi-
cam | was Il National Republican in the
marrow, and entered the 1884 canvass I'M
der a resolution passed by the National
Committee inviting me to do so. told
| him that if he contemplated a change here
by@or before the time Congress meets | had
no desire to hold on till November, mas
much as the courts are closed during the
interval, the office is barren of revenues,
and | could employ the time, as do the alb
sent Judges and clerks, more agreeably
elsewhere. The President gave and |
asked for no intmation of his immediate
purpose; he was in excellent humor, very
courteous, and when we parted laughed
heartily at something which said. ! re.
call, too, that he made some remark about
the present pursuit of place or greed, as
| he termed it,"
wv
The Oakland Times, one of Justice
Fields California supporters, has this tc
say about Mr. Fair, whom the editor seems
to think is the only Senator ON the slope
Senator Fair of Nevada represents small
State, it is true, and so did Bayard, but his
influence is widely felt in the Senate, and
as the only Democratic Senator from the
three Coast States, his position is one OF
peculiar power, and in the hands of weak
man it would be abused. The Senator has
shown the. strongest sense and the real
quality Of craftsmanship that consists OF
foresight in all his actions since Il Demo
cratic Federal Administration came into
power. While others have SELFISH y sought
their own immediate ends, regardless OF
the permanent interests of the party and
the country, he has bravely stood by the
obligation OF Senator to treat the Presi-
dent honorably, and so in all things his
voice and influence have been for those
men and measures calculated TO broaden
the hold of the party upon the friendship
of the country BY the fault and folly OF
the leaders deprived of a Senator at this
important time the Democrats of California
count themselves happy in having as good
a neighbor as Senator Fair"
Nv
| A gentleman who recently met Captain
l.. w. Gould of st. Louis in New York
informs the New Orleans IImeS-Democy0