Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-05-07
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
CLEvELAND's ATTI-
TUDE TO IT'S GOVERNMENT.

CLEvELAND's ATTI-
TUDE TO IT'S GOVERNMENT.
The Commfssfonerships-- In
serference''-Tret Trfumvfrafe Cor
rupted-CleyeNsntf and the Negroes. !
Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, May 4.-There is no
doubt that President Cleveland intends
to substitute deserving Democrats for
the Republicans who have controlled
the government Of the District of Cob
umbia. The usual growl of pot-house
politicians accompanies his delay, but
Presideet Cleveland IS not moved by
such men. Their cry at first was a
"clean sweep" of the District Offices,
regardless of the politics or services of
incun nbents. There can never be
much real sympathy for the selfish
cry that seeks, not the reformation Of
public affairs, but the mere substitut-
ion of men. In some respects, the cry
for changes i'll District offices was not
selfish Almost every Office of import
aHee reeds the firm. .snrelenting hand
of reformer. President Cleveland
fully realizes this fact as regards the
administration of public affairs in the
District, and intends to make num-
Der of wholesome changes. It can be
safely said that his District appoint
ntents will be marked by the wisdom
and impartiality that have thus far,
characterized every appointments be
has made. The offices here regarded
as the most important are
THE D. C. CoMnIssIoNERsHIPs.
The public life of the District people
is virtually placed in the hands of
these officials, consisting of two forms.
civil life, and one from the army. We
do not pretend to DOUBT the ability
and education of army officers, bat
we do doubt whether they are as we'll
qualified to perform the duties of civil
offices as civilians nowadays, there
seems to be little chance in public
life for the civilian engineer. Army
officers supply the places and virtually
barricade the doors against the civil
ian. There may be redeeming fea-
ture for the army officer in this, but
it is the only redemption he can show.
Under the most favorable circum-
stances, the army officer is q civilized
barbarian, realizing the necessities of
civil life as much as the civilian real
izes the necessity of military life. Gen.
Phil. Sheri,lan's differences with the
Secretary of War is evidence. We
have no doubt that the military gen
tlemen who is one OF the D. G.. Ccui-
missioners by virtue Of the fact that
he is an engineer, has always had the
| best intentions. Bat he belongs to
| the great foreign element which the
people of the District have again and
again opposed on the ground that the
ID. G. government is "by and for the
people, They are loath to believe
that there is no native born civilian as
we'll qualified to oficiate. More 10th
are they to believe that there are no
native born citizens as we'll qualified
to occupy the other two offices, now
held by citizens of distant states. To
| the citizens of the District Of Column
bia, the appointment of a foreigner"
means more than
"FoREIGN INTERFERANCE."
In the magnificent public buildings
and reservations, the whole country
has common interest. Federal
officers virtually have charge Of these
| but in the administration of municip
al affairs, the lions share of interest
| falls to the citizens of the District
Their affairs are left to the tender
tender mercies of the foreign ele
n,ent," but they must bear the respon
siblity, and promptly pay the taxes
If the engineer. er.commissloner sees ii
to tunnsl half Of the District, or erect
an aqueduct for ornamental purposes
the citizens have no reason to object.
Sometimes, it is true, there are a few
almost indistinct murmurs, but th'
truth is not enough spnnkk IL the Dis
trict people to hold the city against
siege of paper soldiers. They hav
been told SO often that they have n
rights that the remark is almost re
garded as an axiom. Under Repub
; lican regime, it seemed all axiom, in
deed. When the distinguished Com
missioners told the people of the Dis
trict that they could not hold mass
meetings, or assemble = in the streeta
several citizens thought of the Const
tution of the United States, but fe'
dared to dispute the superior author
. ty of the D. C. Commissioners. Tru
, a mere squad attempted to assei
their American citizenship, but tt
great essential msjority dared n.
lend helping hand. However cIea
i | tho G.pst;tut;oy, -roov hoya haor, n