Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-11-04
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 1886.

WAsHlNGToN, Oct. 70, 1856.
| Oh reform, Wha, shaus are perpetrsted
in thy name. Public officials or employees
may. 1t seems, take the party stump. al
though the famous order reminds them that
"their time and labor belong to the Govern
ment." They may be delegates to nominat-
ing conventions. provided they conduct
themselves with decorum and so not make
their office prominent )" though the order
pronounces the use Of their Offices to secure
their election ss indecent and unfair" SO
long as they act in politics as "mere citiz-
sns' they are improbable. 1t is very
| simple process.
II has been reported that the President
and civil service commissioners cannot look
each other in the face without laughing.
Democratic Government clerks here 20
home to vote, but something admonish.s
the Republican clerks that they had better
stick to their desks Some Of them thought
10 adjust their sails so as to catch the favor
able breeze of both sides, and .ook their annual
leave beforehand, so that now they cannot
60 home 10 vote without losing their daily
wages. Besides. they have a good excuse
IN the mass Of work thrown upon the Depart
ments by the preparation the annual re-
ports, and the absence Of all the Democratic
employees.
And now there is another story reflect,
ing upon Gen. Blacks management of the
Pension Office During the session Of Com
gress Commissioner Black attempted TO dis
credit commissioner Dudley by irving 10
show tha, Dudley made certain cases
special IN order that their allowance might
be made useful to Republican candidate, for
Congress who asked that the claims spec-
fed might be hurried. Gen. Black has
the head Of the office there shall be no case.
taken up out Of their regular order to oblise
Democratic Congressmen. A few days ago
one Of the friends of Representative Stahl-
necker called on Gen. Blacks assistant and
asked that the claim Of certain soldier be
hurried through. Its prompt allowance
might prove useful b. said TO this Com
gresham. who was having considerable op-
position in his canvass for re election Be
fore he left the office he was promised that
the case would be expedited" but the mat
ter was to be kept quiet and no papers
relating 10 the expedition" were 10 be sent
in.
Much Indignation is felt Just now BY the
employees Of the Pension Office because Of
the uninhabtable condition Of the building
in which they have TO work II has been in
course Of construction for about three years.
and is the ugllest public structure in Wash
lngion. During the past summer nothing
vas done there. but since cool weather set
in, and Congressman b"gan 10 arrive, dis
play OF activity has been made. The work
Of pas,ering has begun and large part Of
the clerical force is sick in consequence
One Of them published petition to the ef-
feet that tie time they were losing from such
enforced sickness should not be taken from
their wages, and be Was right
Work on the annual reports that are to go
10 Congress ia taking precedence Of every
thing else in the departments now. The
Democratic Bureau officers are not finished
writer's, and the pro!ixity Of their con,ri-
buttons is appalling. The task Of curta,-
ing them to reasonable size is going brayely
on, and il takes great deal OF time. Tn
der the Republican regime eS-Comptroller
Lawrence was the mas, prolific suh-report-
er, but there are several Bureau officers IN
der the presen, administration that can waste
more paper than he.
This is race week, and the Washington
race course mos, beautiful when its surround
ing hill. have their brilliant autumnal color
ing, will as usual be the rendezvous Of
society. II IS much more the fashionable
Thing 10 20 to the races here even than in
Baltimore TIE grand stand always con-
tains numerous representatives. Of the old
families, as well as Of the Diplomatic Corps,
and Army, Navy, and official circles. The
autumn meeting Of the Jockey Club affords
about the first opportunity for general
ing the summer months away. There is no
striction on betting here, and those who
want to see the horses run for their money
are allowed to do So