San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-02-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb, 9th, 1885.

10 have been shifted to New York
city. At least Now York has been the
centre of political interest, but not
half as many Democratic Congress
men went to soc the Presi lent elect
as were reported to have gone. A
few who went have returned and
seem to be one and all much pleased
with what they have seen of the
coming man, who is praised as a
courteous listener and frank talker.
Alteration and mysteriousnes are
not among the faults of Mr. Cleye-
land
Nothing has been learned about
the cabinet; it is evidently the inten-
ton Of the president to take all the
time the law allows him to build it,
and since his Cabinet can do nothing
until after the fourth of March, this
deliberation would seem to be prop
er and polite.
A certain class of government clerks
are quietly preparing to go. They
are the chiefs Of Bureaus and their
chief clerks, also large number who
are conscious of their shady politi-
cal antecedents. A large majority
are hoping that they may avoid that
fell sweep of the new broom. The
opinion of those who have practical
knowledge of affairs in the Govern
ment offices is that there can be no
real Improvement in government
work until nine tenths of the clerks,
who are drones and politicians, have
swept and been replaced, not neces-
sarily by Democrats exclusively, but
by competent men and real workers,
There is a great deal of local talk
about the Inauguration, which is now
only three we eks distant. The Dem
ocrats, of course, desire that the par
ade, the ball, the fire works, the de-
corations and the crowd, shall com
pare in responsibility, taste, and
splendor with any previous similar
occasion. I think their vanity will be
gratihed. There will IL fine parade of
citizens soldiery and civic organ;za-
tons. The night will be painted in
all the hres Of the rainbow by fire
works; and the ball, in u hall lurge
enough to- accommodate twelve thou.
sand, and which any one Can attend
for the consideration of five dollars
will be simply stupendops-
General H.ncock declined to lead
the parade from the White House to
the Capital on the ground of O recent
death in his family, anu General Nc
Ciellan, to whom the honor was next
rendered, declined on the account OF
engagements. 1t is well enough, for
neither Of these old gentlemen can
sit horse az well as he could twenty
i've years ago, and the leader
Of this parade must bestride goodly
steed General Slocum has accepted
the con mand of the ephene ral army,
and there is no doubt that the brief
campaign will be successful,
As it is anticipated that a greater
number of military organizations and
civic associations will be in line on the
fourth of March than were ever as
sembled here on inauguration day,
the. task to be assigned to General
SIocum is not an easy one, -Four
years ago General Sherman, with a
large number Of aids, found the labor
of marshalling and moving the par
AIDE greater one than he anticipated.
1t is nominally an honor, but in fact
a very laborious responsibility to as
sumo the direction and movement of
Il vast collection of organizations in
the brief time allowed for such a pa
rdde,
On Wednesday the formal counting
OF electoral votes for President will
take place in Congress.
OF the thirteen appropriation bills
but one, the Military Acalimy bill,
has passed its last stage in Congress.
1t awaits the action of the President
The condition Of business in Congress
Is such that a minority of either
house can easily force an extra ses-
sion. But it is not apparent that
there is any purpose to do so. The
leaders Of both houses express the
opinion that the appropriation bills
viii be pissed before the fourth of
March. In which clse noextra ses-
sion viii be necessary
Gen. Sheridan, the Marshal Of the
Monument dcdicItion has issued his
Orders and appointed his aids The
FIR; diva i1n II the procession viii
be c5mmluded By G,u- Friizhugh
Lee % Virginia