St. Landry democrat., 1885-05-23
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
MAY nth, 1885.


shows that the administration if slow is
at least sure. But the continued illness
of First Assistant Postmaster General
Hay is a serious misfortune. 1t is not
improbable that the failure to discharge
the partisan cross roads postmasters in
Illinois has had much to do with the
Democratic disaster in that State. 1t
may have been the cause of the surpris-
ing apathy among the Democrats rank
and file, which gave to Senator Logan's
candidate for the State Senate majori-
ty of several hundreds in district that
last November gave Cleveland plural
ity of nearly $500. Apropos of the Illi-
n0is election heard lively little ar
gument between two prominent Demo
cratic sojourners in the public room of
their hotel last week. Don. NJ. Dickin-
son, the Michigan member of the Dem
ocratic National Committee, ran against
John H. Oberly, chairman of the Illi-
nois Democratic State Committee.
"How do you pronounce the name of
the man who goes to Russia inquired
Mr.. Oberly, sarcastically,. Lathrop or
Lothrop 2"
Mr.. Dickinson did not reply.
"They say he hadn't voted a Demo-
cratic ticket in five years"-this from
Mr.. Oberly again.
"You will learn more of Michigan
men and how to pronounce their names
if you live longer" was Mr.. Dickinson's
quiet reply,
"Y-a-a-s," drawled Oberly, "but who
are the Democratic Senators from
Michigan, any way 2"
"Thirty thousand Democratic majori-
ty in Republican Michigan is our Sena-
tor and our "God. bless you" to the
President - said Mr.. Dickinson warmly.
when we have an election in Michigan
our committee men are found in the
State and not in Washington. When
an election is to be held in Michigan,
and when the Administration needs
the support and faithful work
Of all good men to bear up it's
hands the humblest committee man
we have would be ashamed to be
down here on hunt for office for him.
self while it was pending-more espe-
cially so if on the result depended the
election or defeat Of an Administration
Senator. He would consider such con-
duct on his part shame and disgrace
to himself and his party"
Mr.. 0berly walked away and has not
inquired further concerning the pronun-
citation of the Russian Minister'S name !:
So long ago as the memory Of most
Democrats now living extends the cry
of their party when out of power has al
ways been for retranchment in public
expenditures and it's practice, when in
power, has for the most part been in the
line of its professions. Now it has been
discovered, by Mr.. Manning and Others
high in authority, and will continue to
{ be discovered the more they investigate
the matter, that the working force OF
some of the departments is capable OF
considerable reduction that the pay
rolls are too large, and that much money
has annually been expended ever since
the Republican party first came into
power, for which no adequate service
has been returned. Extensive reduc-
tions will soon take place.
The Cabinet ladies have discontinued
their receptions for the season, and have
followed the example of Miss Cleveland
and Mrs. Hendricks in taking needed
rest. Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Manning
are in New York, Mrs. Villas is still in
Wisconsin, and Mrs. Bayard is making
arrangements to leave Washington fol
summers rest in Delaware at the
Secretary's country seat. When the
Secretaries families are settled here
next season there will be good deal o.
youth and beauty in the Cabinet circle
willinclude Miss Endicott, daughtel
of the Secretary of War, Miss Villas
Miss Lamar, the two youngest daugh
ters of the Secretary of State, Misse
Mamie and Florence Bayard, and Mis-
Manning, daughter Of the Secretary o
the Treasury. Only two of these youns
ladies are formally in society, but the!
will form very attractive group mex
winter.
Social dissipation promises to be yer!
dull for the next few weeks and th
devotees of fashion are giving them