The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-09-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular OOrr5sp0nuv-..

From our regular Uorr6sP0nuvus.
WASHINGTON, September 2, 1885.
President Lincoln used to say that he
looked under his bed every night fer
concealed Office seekers. The present
Administration, perhaps takes the same
precaution. But ID has also been look
ing over and under the desks and books
so long held by the truly too good Re-
publican party and the day that some
long concealed fraud is not discovered
is an exceptional day. The list has be-
come so large that 1t can not we'll be
car1 led around in ones mind. 1t will
be interesting to see it written out In
full and the amounts saved by the gov
eminent added up. And yet, the good
work carried on under great difficult
ties, has hardly begun. Investigations
are now in progress about which the
public knows nothing, but their results
will be disclosed in due time.
It is well known that the work or dis
covering and reforming fraud and
abuses is hindered and frustrated by
the Republican Iclerks, who surround
the new Administration on all hands
How can they allow, much less assist
with enthusiasm, the work of their over
throw, and how much more could be
accomplished if the malefactors and
their accomplices were turned out, and
sincere sympathisers put in their places.
The Republican clerks are doing every
thing in their power to impede the work
of investigation and discovery. They
are fertile in excuses and specious ex-
plantations for the members of their
party who have gone wrong.
am told, on what seems to be pretty
good authority, that the Civil Service
Commission is likely to be Te-organiZed
in the interests of reform. II the half
that is said is true it certainly needs it.
An expense account of Commissioner
Gregory has just been made public,
which shows that this TefOTmer, when
he travels, charges the Government for
the newspapers he reads and the tips
which the sleeping car porteTs and the
walters at five-dollar-a-day hotels are
given. 1t would seem to be straining
point for a refOTmer to make
such charges as these under the clause
of the law that provides for the pay
ment of necessary travelling expenses.
If Civil Service Commissioner is to
have his tips and newspapers paid for
by the Government, where can il endI
Why should not drinks and cigars be
paid for as well. There are officials
who might consider these necessary
travelling expenses. But for reformer
who is getting S11. 80 per day and his
travelling expenses to charge the Gov
ernment with five-cents apiece FOR the
newspapers he reads and the twO-bit
with which he fees a servant seems
small indeed, and under the law it is
little short of petit larceny. Wouldn't
the Commissioner have to black his
boots and read a newspaper if he was
not travelling, or does lie indulge in
those luxuries simply while on the ToadI
A prominent business man and Chair
man of the Democratic Central COM
mittee at Cleveland, Ohio, was in this
city last week. He said that every
thing was looking particularly bright
for the Democrats in that State. Hoad-
ly carried the State by $4,000 majority
two years ago. And be thinks he will
have at least 10000 this time. The
Democracy he says, 'is united and
harmonious. They appreciate the i'm
portance of success, and the people see,
since Sherman's bad freak at Mount Gil
lead, that the Republicans have next to
nothing to stand on except the bloody
shirt issue. This has become tiresome
and large number of Republicans, who
are disgusted with their party, but who
do not exactly wish to vote the Demo
CldblC JjChcI, Will SObc lOI
The return of the President to Wash
ington Will be the signal for an exodus
from the watering places. 1t is ex-
pected that all the members of the
Cabinet will be in the city before the
end of the week. Secretary Whitney
is expected at the Navy department to-
day. Secretary Manning has returned
to the Treasury department and is at
work NOBODY knows where Secre-
tarY Lamar is, or if he does know, he
will not tell. He stole away last week
and it is supposed that he is enjoying a
brief rest within easy reach of the Cabi-
net table. Postmaster General Villas
has telegraphed that he is on his way
East. Atty. General Garland has left
his farm and log cabin in Arkansas, and
is on his way to Washington. Secre-
taTy Bayard has not been absent except
on Sundays.