Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-14

Department Clerks Getting Uneasy.
AFRAID RETRENCHMENT MAY HIT THEM-MEN
WHO ARE MENTIONED FOR PLACES, ETC.


AFRAID INFRINGEMENT MAY HIT THEM-MFN
WHO ARE MENTIONED FOR PLACES, ETC.
The reduction of force in the Treasury depart
ment and the White House has sent a thrill of
terror through the rank and file of government
clerks. Consoled by the civil service promises
OF the new administration, they became reas-
sured, and general feeling of security gradu-
ally possessed them. Now, however, they
er erection, from which they are not
sy sba lss
mem conclusively that they are liable to
De decapitated at any time. Some feel that
under this movement ofretrenchment they are
destined to fall because of the manner in which
they secured appointment and filled their
olnces and are uneasy IN consequence others
confident ofhaving deserved their positions by
steady and honest work yet unhappy, be-
cause fearful that reduction in their neighbor-
hood will not be made with discrimination.
While this feeling of insecurity is not confined
spread there
In the other uptown departments the forces
are much smaller, and are engaged upon work
that would prevent any reduction Of conse-
quence. An exception to the size OF the clerical
1oEce should be made in the adjutant generals
once, but 1T Is generally recognized that every
clerk is needed to keep up the record business
for the Pension office.
In the War department there are only sixteen
offices which can be filled for partisan reasons.
These consist mostly OF the chief clerk OF the
bureaus The heads of the bureaus are all army
officers, appointed for an indefinite period, and
officers
In the Navy department there is a very SINH
lar condition of affairs, excepting that the bu-
reau heads, who are naval officers, are APP
pointed for a period of four years.
In the state department everything Is quiet,
and fear has been banished by the reassuring
words ofSecretary Bayard that removals would
result only for good and sufficient reasons 1t Is
thought that the new Secretary of State will
pointment of First Assistant Secretary to
succeed Mr.. John Davis and in looking after the
foreign missions in which there are to be
changes.
In the Department of Justice the Attorney
General has followed Secretary Bayard's eS-
ample and treasured the clerks under him.
some changes in the more important offices OF
this department are, however, anticipated.
LULL IN THE RUSH OF oFFICE-SEEkERS To-
DAY.
The hotel Hobbies and the departments were
not more crowded than usual to-day. During
the whole day not more than a dozen members
of Congress were assembled in the Hobbies.
More called on the Secretaries, but there was no
rush. There is very little talk about changes, it
being understood that nothing positive can be
learned before Monday, and the hungry throng
by hanging around, They don't know whether
to look upon the policy OF reduction in the de-
Some, who think they can see into the beyond,
smile grimly and say they can wait, it's all
right Others are not so certain about this and
are inclined to be down-cast. This latter class
is in the majority. What depresses them most
is the fact that those applicants supported by
the most powerful delegations don't get any
more consideration by reason thereof.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE.
Secretary Bayard is experiencing consider
able difficulty in filling the place of Assistant
Secretary of State. He has magnified the posi-
ton of assistant in that department to posi-
ton equal to any OF the cabinet offices except
that of State He thinks the Assistant Secre-
tary should be man of the highest reputation,
and it is said that he would like ex-senator
Pend1eton to accept the position. Pendleton,
however. does not look upon the place in the
same light, and his friends say he would not
accept it under any circumstances. Secretary
Bayard said to 81 friend last night that the va
ance, and he was Very anxious to get the proper
person to fill it.
MINISTER LowELLs SUCCESSOR.
Pendleton's friends are working hard to have
him sent minister to the court of ST. James.
Senator Ransom has charge of d petition, which
has been signed by majority of the democratic
Senators, urging President Cleveland to make
the appointment, and 1t is generally believed
that the civil service reform Senator from Ohio
will be Mr. Lowell's successor.
THE LAND CoMMISSIoNERSHIP.
Ex-senator Slater, of Oregon is said to have
chance to be commissioner of the general land
office. He is backed by almost all the demo-
cratic Senators and by the democratic strength
of the Pacific coast.
THE FIGHT FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
COMMISSIONERSHIP.
The contest for the internal revenue commits
sionership still excites very general interest.
The friends of Mr.. Miller, of West Virginia, as
sert most positively that he has been selected
for the position, and that hts name will be sent
to the Senate on Monday next; The friends Of
Mr. Thompson, OF Kentucky, do not admit this
On the contrary, they seem, or at least some of
them do, to feel more hopeful than at any time
that the ehe Pr lass has been incline s
to favor the appointment OF Mr. Thomp-
son. but adhering to his rule TO leave
questions of appointment to the heads of de-
partments, respectively, he would not interfere
with Secretary Manning. 1t was also stated to-
day that Secretary Manning had said he would
yield and withdraw all objection to Mr.. Thomp-
son if the President preferred his appointment
Senators Beck and Blackburn apparently have
Thompson to-day, A STAR reporter was, in
formed that the friends of Miller had
procured the assistance Of f., Vice Ies,.r Pre resi-
Joined actively in backing the West Virginia
candidate. AS Senator VOORHEES, and the dem
ocratic members ofthe House from Indiana are
SOD, the attitude of the Vice President was COM
mented upon as another straw going to show
that Mr. Hendricks and the other democratic
leaders of Indiana are not in harmony upon
questions OF patronage.
ever, are almost discouraged, and among
those who feel that his prospects for the
revenue commissionership are, not fiat
tering, 1t has been suggested that he
ought to be made railroad mmissoner. They
argue that as Thompson was the author of the
bill which passed the House, requiring the
Pacific railroads to meet their obligations to
government under the Thurman act, his ap-
pOintment railroad commissioners would be
most forcible declaration of the administra-
TONS status on this question. A prominent
kentucky democrat said TO STAR reporter
that Thomson could have the railroad COM
missionership if he would take it.
Senator Blackburn and large delegation
called upon the Secretary Of the Treasury and
the President to-day again to urge Mr.. Thomp-
sons appointment as commissioner of internal
revenue. Mr.. Blackburn used all the power of
his eloauence with Mr.. Manning, but on COM
ing out said he had no more idea how things
were going than he had day or two ago.
A DELEGATION IN FAVOR OF MR. MONEY FOR
ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL.
The Mississippi delegation have made their
last effort to get Mr.. Money appointed Assistant
Postmaster General. They called upon Post
master General Villas this morning and had
long talk upon the subject. They are impressed
with the belief, however, that there is no hope
for him, and that northwestern man will get
the place.
TREASURER wYMAN.
There is prevailing impression in the
Treasury department. that Treasurer Wyman
is not to be disturbed. AS yet no one has been
heard from as endeavoring to GUST him. His
duties are those simply of a custodian and dis
bursting officer. He rose from the ranks, and
his appointment as Treasurer was in no sense a
political one. He lost his vote years ago, and
never took an active interest in politics. Prob
ably the office is not generally desired on
account of the heavy responsibilities attached
to it, applicants generally devoting their efforts
to secure a different kind of berth. The same
{t,a NfE, 49,