The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-26
W ashington Notes.

To test the newspaper statements by the
actual facts gathered from personal obser-
walton, concerning the rush of office seek
ers to Washington, it will be found
that there is a discrepancy. A few weeks
ago. when the attraction OF the inaugural
drew large number OF per-
sons, the appearance would probably
have justified the average correspondent
in his estimate of the hosts congregated.
But it was not fair to say that all OF them
were pressing for official favor. The num-
Der present three weeks after the installa-
tion of the new administration is no
greater, if so great. as when Republican
Presidents have come into pOwer-nor, by
long odds so numerous as when the last
Democratic administration in 1851, as
sumed the eontrols0f the government
Considering AUTHORIZATIONS years have
rolle.t by since the fat things Of govern
ment were at Democratic disposal, the
array of applicants is quite moderate, and
mot sufficiently extravagant to Justify mn
usual, comment. With Republicans and
Democrats each man feels that he is a
part Of the government and the govern
menta part.of him, and 1T is not strange
that recognition should be asked as mat
ter of right OF course all who SO de-
mand cannot be accommodated, but it is
one of the advantages of the education OF
our political system, that individual dis
appointments do not stop the wheels OF
government or paralyze it's machinery. 1t
goes on just the same. whoever may be at
the helm or manning the subordinate posi-
tions.
The number of seekers after official ia
yor from Virginia are not astoniShlngly
numerous--indeed not near so formidable
as the public has been taught to be-
l lieve. Those who are in the city, are
neither demonstrative nor importnning
| to distressing degree. Col. OFFER
rail, probably, is the most fearfully be-
sieged, both in person and by letter. His
proverbial good temper and courtesy and
disposition to accommodate, are just what
the seeker after. 'spoils' appreciates, and
hence not only his own district, but every
other district in.the State, applies to him
for assistance. What degree of inf uence
he will be able to exert. has not yet been
tested. A short time may unfold results
and indicate more clearly the policy of the
| administration.
| 1t is a noticeable fact that so far as "a pc.
/ icy has been foreshadowed ignoring the
spois system, it meets the approval of the
more conservative of both parties. Els
pecially those who have never held Office
and do not want office, whether of one par
ty or the other. look hopefully to the future
and predict a marvellous success to Mr.
Cleveland7s administration, if he shall
show courage enough to resist the plead
ings and threats of the boys who run thu
machine and are now applying for their re
ward. 1t is possible to have return O.
the s'good era" which succeeded Monroe
first two years and his first administra
| ton. A great opportunity is presented
Whether the fortitude, grasp and sagacit,
will be developed to avail of it, is for tn
future to unfold. 1t is recognized, tina
lin both parties, the extreme element
control in shaping contests and provoking
personal defamation and partizan bitter
Iness. 1t is known that this element doe
not represent more than one-ffth of eacl
party. 1t manages to get hold of the ma
chinery, and by arbitrary methods ant
reckless threats, the great mass OF TIT
rank and file are forced to follow in thu
wake of the little bosses and ring mana
gers This class is after otlice-that il
: their aim. They care very little for TIN
people-for good government and the pro
motion of the general welfare. They liv'
and thrive only in strife-by infiamins
partiZan feeling and encouraging part.
antagonism, where reason has no place
and calm thought for the public good is
never invoked. The great mass of the
people have no sympathy with the objects
and methods of these manipulators, YET
are found, in an unaccountable way, II
submit, and be led like lambs to thu
slaughter. The policy of the administra
ton, thus far, seems to be looking to th'
four-fifths rather than the one-fifth, an(
to trying the experiment of crystalizing thu
| conservative elements Of both parties init
aforce upon which the administration ma,
rest, and feel confident Of the support O.
people. even if it has to be at the expense
of machine politics. 1t is only in thi:
line that there can be hope for success
full administration. Any other policy vii
be followed by disastrous failure. A stud,
of the influences which made success pos
sible last November will clearly demon
strate the correctness of this conclusion
It has been recognized in the Cabinet Sc
lected. and the appointments thus fa
made. 1t is venture in the right direc
ton, and will require great moral courage
as well as physical endurance to carry it t.
favorable termination.
Last week rather singular conference
was held in Washington. 1t was a gath
ering of the Democratic members of Con
grets from Virginia, to parcel out thu
Federal offices in the State. After con
sulting and devising and discussing TO-
two or three days, a final adjournment wa'
effected, without anything being DONE
Numerous applications were before thu
meeting, but the difficulty was in selecting
one for particular position. without of
Tending half a dozen or a dozen others
Then it was regarded generally as pre-
sumptuous for the members OF Congress t.
assume to deal with the Federal offices a.
though they were their private property
to be assigned to their especial favorites
The mutterings from individuals wert
both loud and deep and with singular
unanimity, the Democratic press of the
State entered decided protest. Hence
the adjournment and barren results.
Probably more effective course to- in
| A. Lea I,a Drocilopt n or1I