St. Landry democrat., 1885-06-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent
MAY Both, 1885.

as Mr.. Cleveland was fairly in office,
the present condition of things is very |
disappointing. But to those who know
that startling transformation is not
necessarily reformation, and that the
fatter can be attained only through
careful and well considered action, there
is much for encouragement. The mag
nitude of the wholesome changes that
have taken place is known best by
those who will never tell it. All the
Republican clerks in all the Depart
ments are working better and accom-
DIishing more, drinking less, paying
their old debts and enjoying better
health than ever before. They are
doing more work because the Secreta-
ries of the different Departments have
given them to understand that idle
clerks will be discharged, and have EN-
phasized their meaning by turning
some idlers out. Their improved health
il attributable to the fact that orders
have gone out that absence on account
of sickness will be deducted from the
thirty days summer vacation that has
been given Government clerks. This
order has had such healthy effect that
absence from alleged sickness has de-
clined fully one hundred per cent. In
debtedness and drunkenness have de-
clined because it is understood that de-
cency, competency and honesty will be
insisted upon by this Democratic Ad
ministration. These reforms are best
known by the Republican clerks them
selves but they are kind of reform
that reflects but little glory upon them
or their party. No rogue will boast
that lie has been whipped into honesty.
| venture to predict that in about nine
months from now, when the work of
the first year Of the new administration
can be reviewed, a very favorable show
ing will be made and it will be found
not only that larger amount of work
has been done, but that it has been ac-
complished more economically and with
a smaller force. In month from now
it is believed that very important
changes will have been made. 1t has
been found impracticable to make these
changes as rapidly as was desired ow-
ing partly to the lack of acquaintance
of Mr.. Cleveland and his Cabinet with
the routine and the personel of the diff
ferent bureaus, and partly to the con-
fiicting claims Of the many applicants
for office. But the knowledge necessary
to intelligent action is being rapidly ac-
quired and it is reported that extensive
changes will be made about the 30th Of
June.
No Department of the Government
has been worse mismanaged than that
of Agriculture The late Commissioner
spent his time from June to November
making speeches for Blaine and the
new Commissioner appointed by Presi-
dent Cleveland found that S38 was the
unexpected balance left him for carry
ing on the Department for three
months, or until the appropriations Of
the next fiscal year shall become avail
able.
How this state of affairs has been
brought about is easy to see. There is
no doubt that funds have been largely
used to promote the election of the Re-
publican candidate for the Presidency
For the purpose of carrying favor and
gaining votes, the salaries of employees
in various States have been largely in.
creased. Thus, in one instance, a mar
in tho statistical department out il
Kansas had his salary raised from $500
to $4,000, while his chief in the bureat
at Washington only gets Sf,5OO. Thi'
wholesale distribution of the funds o
the department for political purposes
soon ran away with the appropriation
and to this as much as to, any othe
cause tho bankrupt condition OF tn
Agricultural Bureau is to be attributed
The original intent of Congress IN ap
propriating money for the distribution
of seeds, was TO buy rare grains beyont
the reach Of ordinary agriculturists ant
so distribute them as to improve th'
character of our crops. Instead of this
however, the recent COMMISSIONS
bought for free distribution ordinar.
seeds to be found an every seed store il
the country. The true character o
these common seeds was hidden unde
high sounding names, and they Wer
sent by Congressman brOadcas
throughout their districts for the pur
pose of making votes. For the last fiv
years the bureau has not introduced
single new grain of any value, nor ha