Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-11-05
From Our Regular Correspondent !
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. d. C.. Oct %. 81


Another official head has fallen, and one
of the most conspicuous opportunities
to show friendship for Civil Service
reform has been thrown away
The victim, in this instance, i, As
sistant- Secretary Coon. He has been re-
cognized as the active working chief OF the
Treasury department, under several heads,
and no man has ever held the position who
has evinced more fidelity IN the discharge of
his duties, When the change Of Admins
tration occurred, Mr. Coon went to Sec
retary Manning frankly. and proposed to re-
sign his place, saying that he had always
been Republican and always expected to
be one. The inexperienced Mr. Manning
especially requested Mr. Coon to remain.
assuring him that he would be OF the great
est service, and that his remaining
would be considered in the igh, Of
a favor.
Mr.. Coons retention in office has been
one great source Of the confidence the Civil
Service reform.rs continue TO profess in
the sincerity Of the Cleveland Admins
tra,lon. They pointed 10 his case as re-
semblng that Of the under secretaries in
the English Government " ho remain through
all changes Of cabinet heads.
Thu, the party ab.ndons It's Civil Service
hypocrisy. Mr.. Coon goes, not from any
dissatisfaction with any official act, but be-
cause Mr.. Cleveland wants Democrats
around him. and because Mr.. Coon's services
are not quite as indispensable now as they
were to the raw men who took charge of the
Government eight months ago.
The ideal Democratic President i. a dis
penser Of plunder as the personal perquisites
Of politicians. 1t would be impossible to
educate the average Drmocra, up to that
reform theory which the Democratic party
professed last year in order to get the few
hundred bolting Republican votes, which
saved II from defeat, They hunger for the
flesh pots. and have profound contempt for
any theory Of reform that does not hinge on
spoils.
General Rosecrans, the registrar of the
Treasury, has succeeded in getting his Office
into a miserable tange. Work can scarcely
60 on there BY reason Of the removal OF ef
icient Republican subordina,es, and the ap-
polntment Of incompetent Democrats to their
places. Again, history repeats itself As
military commander IN Tennessee, ii wll,
be remembered Cen Rosecrans got
his army into similar fix, and had to he
displaced.
Senator Sherman stopped in Washington
on his way to Virginia. where he is going 10
add few last touches to the campaign
He was serenaded al the Ebbltt
House by some of his many Washington
friends.
The Pos,ma.ter-Gen.ral has gone to
Wisconsin to attend the funeral of his
sister. Secretary Whitney hls gone to
New York to register. Secretary Bayard
has been acting host to Dr. Curry during
the week, and the latter is making arrange
ment, TO sail for Spain on his recently ap-
pointed mission. Secretary Manning is
studying hard in order that he NAV, when
Congress meets, be able TO answer some Of
the questions which will be propounded by
the astute financial students, who compose
the Senate Finance Committee The way
ba ,b
will have much to do with his future stand
ing. The duties Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury are probably more exacting than
those Of any other Cabinet position, and the
interest to see how Mr. Manning will
deport himself this winter is not surpris-
ing.
The Capitol is already being put in readi-
| ness for Congress, which meets in six weeks
The comfort ofthose who serve their country
in both ends of the building is to be more
closely attended to at the next session than
heretofore. Both the Senate and the House
will have new carpets. The cloak rooms,
those indispensable accessories to legis-
lation, where Congressman gather, smoke,
Joke, and otherwise entertain each other, are
being newly frescoed and furnished. An
additional softness and sans sonci touch, as
it we're, is being given to the lounges that
lurk in pleasant corners.
The House is envious of the Senate's
luxuries, and given to initiating them. Last
year the Senate removed the little strips Of
card board with names printed on them,
showing to which Senator each desk be-
longed and substituted for them little silver
plates. This is now to be done in the
House, and it will take three hundred and
thirty-three silver plates.