San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-10-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Cor respondent.
WAsHrNoroN, Oct. 1, 1885.

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There has been scarcely ripple to
break the political calm during the
past week. The bitter contests waged
in Ohio, Virginia and New York are
not felt here. This is unusual, for it
has been the habit Of previous admin
istrations to throw themselves into
the midst of such contests with all
their patronage, prestige, and inAu-
ence. President Cleveland however
has said that he will take no active
part in the state elections, and his
Cabinet have shown a determination
to initiate his example. But this re-
fusal to enter the fray must not be
construed into any lack Of interest in
Democratic success. It is the belief
of the President and his constitutional
advisers that they have work before
them Of the grandest scope, and that
the cause of true Democracy in state
elections will be best promoted by
the general government in an exam
pie of rigid attention to the work
that strictly belongs to it.
The question as to who should be
the successor Of Prof. Hilgard as Su-
perintendent of the Coast Survey,
has been the subject Of mature con-
sideration on the part of the President
ever since the first irregularities in
that bureau were discovered. There
are so many and such weighty inter
ests involved that it was q difficult
question to decide who would be the
best man for the place. It requires
a man of good executive ability rs
well as of eminent scientific qualities.
1t appeared to the President that
these qualities were united in the per-
son Of Prof. Alexander Agassiz, ard
he accordingly, through the Secretary
of the Treasury, wrote to him asking
him to assume the superintendency
of the Coast Survey Bureau. e
Prof. Agassiz's name was the choice
of the President himself. No one re-
commended him for the position, but
his selection was the result of de-
sire of the Administration to secure
the services Of the very best men pos
sible, and as recognition of his emf
nent scientific attainments. It is un-
derstood that in the letter the Pres
ident sent to the Professor he surong-
ly urged him to give the country the
benefit of his knowledge in the prac-
tical manner which would be open to
him through the bureau, were he to
accept the superintendency.
Pref. Agassiz is man of large
wealth and influence, and one OF the
most prominent scientists in the Uni
ted States He is son OF the late
Prof. Louis Jean Rudolph Agassiz,
the great Swiss naturalist and geolo-
gist, who took up his residence in
this country in 1848 and died here in
1878. The son ably filled the fathers
place, and is authority on most scien-
tific subjects.
A party Of District Democrats went
10 the White House last week and
made strong appeal for the appoint
nent of a fellow citizen to the Office
If Recorder of Deeds in the place of
Fred Duglass. They had no preju-
lice against Mr.. Douglrss on account
If his color, but he was one of the
most offensive partisans they ever set
,yes upon, and ought to go. The gen
leman recommended for the place
vas Of old and aristocratie cenaee
ions, with considerable influence in
Virginia and universally popular in
he District. He was in every way
Iualifed and would perform the du-
les of the Office in such a manner as
would do honor TO the President and
Iimself. Mr. Cleveland is very fami-
lar with this speech, and hears it sew
raj times every day. He listened
for a while. then got out Of
lis chair, pushed his big hands way
own into his pockets. and, wander
lg toward the library windows, look
a down over the Potomac fats in an
distracted manner. Pretty soon he
urnod and asked impulsively.
You think there ought to be a
bange in that Officer
~Yes, SIR, replied the chorus
avery well: give me the name OF
colored man competent to fil Il, and
u appoint him 70 to-day
The silence that followed was pain
Il The President returned to his
esk and oomnenced reading some
tiers that lay open before him The
delegation consulted; u Uas easy
see that Their auricty abOut .
range uas que1ehed, and eKplsin-
Ic 10 The Presideut tbst they we're
81 prepsrei to reoomDend any ool-
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