News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-07-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. G.
july 81, 1885.


Not every citizen of the United
States is aware that the District of
Columbia, which includes the Capital of
the United States and about 100000
inhabitants, has government differ
ent from that of any other district or
municipality of the nation. Wash
ington is ruled by triumvirate ap-
pointed by the President of the United
States. The inhabitants of this city
suffer from no suffrage, cast no bal
lots, and know no local politics in the
ordinary vulgar sense. The three
men appointed by the President gov
ern under law, have charge of the po-
lice, public schools, parks, streets,
water works and city improvements.
They make pretty good local govern
ment, and some other cities might
profit by the example.
On the 18th of this month the term
of one of the Commissioners, ex-Sen-
ator West, expired, and the President
promptly appointed as his successor,
Mr.. William Webb, a lawyer, and an
old resident of this city. The ap-
pointee is one of the best that could
have been selected, and the communi-
ty, without regard to politics, are re-
joicing that so good selection has
been made. Mr.. Webb, like his pre-
decessor, is Republican, is so years
of age and is identified with the best
social and business interests of the
Capital. Early yesterday morning he
received a note from the White House
requesting him to call at once, as the
President desired to see him, and at
about IL o'clock, in accordance with
the request, he called, when the Pres
ident rendered him the appointment.
Mr.. Webb said he was taken by sss,
prise and would like few days to
consider whether he could afford to
accept. He has since consulted with
his friends, and has determined, at
their request and at their earnest So
licitation to accept the Office.
Thare has been great deal of gossip
in the papers during the week on the
subject of the Presidents policy about
official changes. First it was an
nounced that the President had Or
dered practical halt in the old bust
ness of removing Republican office
holders on charges of offensive parti-
sanship. This was speedily denied,
and the result seems to be that things
ale going on much as usual. The
President does all that he can do on
any given day, and stops when be
gets through. There has been nc
! change in the policy of the admins.
, tration and there is not likely to be
, any.
, Miss Cleveland took her departure
: for the summer on Thursday, and the
, White House will hardly have her fol
, mistress again before October. She
will spend much of the intervening
} time at the family home at Holland
Patent, n. Y. She has now a consid
: cradle income from the sale of bel
, book. 1t is reported that she does
: not intend to use this for any person
= al purpose, but will devote it to edu
J oational objects, I very much doubt
, the truth Of this report. Miss Cleve'
land is not wealthy, and she has lived
long enough to know the sweetness Of
J independence, and to enjoy the fruits
J of thrift,
With the departure of Miss Cleve-
, land there will be cessation of the
regular Saturday afternoon gatherings
on the portico, There has been a
thorough oyerhauling of the mansion
in the past few days, and the curtains
and carpets have been put away until
cold weather, and the floors are now
covered from basement to attic with
cool, attractive patterns of mating.
Nearly all the leading society people
of Washington called upon the mis-
tress of the White House before she
left Washington, and exchanged notes
as to their plans for the summer, and
expressed the hope Of meeting her
next winter. Something was said at
one Of these gatherings about the ru-
NOR that Miss Cleveland had been Of
fered and would very likely accept the
Presidency of Vassar College, but de-
NAL was given to this story by Miss
Cleveland, and she informed her call
ers that she would be in the White
House during this administration.