The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-11-04
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Oct. so, 1856.

IhS NNtA Has b0tAl u uuleI |
one in Washington. The President !
and his Cabinet returned promptly !
after the fatigue of Bartholii day in |
New York, and settled down TO their |
desks. l do not think they are billed F!
for any more fairs or unveilings this
fall. The annual ;tntumn races " hich I
have always attracted large cOntin.
gerts from the fashionable, Diplomat
ic. Army. Navy and official circles Of
Washington, are in progress, but the
weather Is unpropitiOus and they have
excited lees interest than usual.
Those I'll you who live far removed
from Governmental machinery caunot
realize the extent of the improvements
in Departmental work under the new
Administration. But those of Us who
have been here all the time. and who
have seen so much of the idleness, ex
travagauce, worthlessness and corrup-
ton of the old Republican officials aud
methods, take special delight in the
new order of things and feel as if too
hIuth Cotiti iot Sdll
For instance, the current business
of the Patent Office is in a much bet
| ter and more prosperous condition
than when Commissioner Montgomery
assumed control. At that time the
work was largely in arrears, and he
has succeeded in bringing much of it
up to date. The application of an in
ventOr for patent is now reached in
about three months after filing. The
time formerly was five and half
months. Mr.. Montgomery says he
expects to be able to bring all of the
work substantially up to date within
the next few months, and so keep it.
A little over year ago some of the
divisions i'll this office were as much
as seventeen months behind in their
examinations. To fully appreciate the
work accomplished consideration must
he given to the fact that the Commits.
sioner was Inexperienced and had to
study up and advise himself thorough.
ly on all points relating 10 q difficult
practice. The attorneys practicing
before the office are much pleased with
the progress made, aud ask that the
, good work may go on. The Patent
Office, besides being self supporting
, pays balance in the Treasury. There
is now an account to its credit there o
nearly three million dollars. Las
year "A, 134 patents were granted out o
37,695 applications.
d A new order of things cOnfronts
politicians these days; no help from
e Washington, and stumping fedora
officials to be called to account. Con
e sequently but few can be seen her
this week. The elections are only fiv,
days off, but the habit of running t,
Washington in Il hurry to get friend
or Offices To assist in the election is no
l. in order this year. No assistance be
yOnd sending out documents by tn
). campaign committees has been draw
from the Capital. Notwithstanding
J, the great interest felt in the result tn
Administration hes rigidly abstaine,
from verything that could be con
strued into official interference, an
no campaign contributions have beeI
collected in the Departments
" There is much doubt as 20 the gen
- eral result OF the election, but what
:, ever it may be a. to parties, there " il
be large number of new men III tn
Q next House. The recent action OF tn
President i'll suspending District Al
tOrneys Stoue and Benton, one Dem
ocrat and the other a Republican, TO
> too great political activity, is accepte
as an Indication that the order is to b
strictly enforced. 1t Is expected tina
number OF disniesals will resuI
from violations of this order. A gen
:, eral court of inquiry would probabl
not be feund practicable, but seriou
=. charges are made and supported wit
:, sufficient evidence, will be followe
by dismissal5.
A campaign lie has been going tn
rounds of late to the effect that whe
the agent for the sale of Gen. Grant
Memoirs asked permission to canvi
- the Interior Department for subscril
ers, Secretary Lamar refused 10 gran
y it, but that an agent for the life
81 Robert E. Lee was accorded the pri,
- ilege without the slightest objectio
being interposed. Nobody ever soil
&c tied permission to CANVASS the Interi,
I Department for subscribers to Il
D. Life of Robert +. Lee' until la
:; Tuesday, when leave was prompt
70 granted. When the agent of Grant
AZ Memoirs made known to Mr.. Lam
is his desire to 20 through the Depar
ment with his subscription book, IL
ie Secretary not only acceeded to the r
q. quest without hesitation, but headt
IS the list of Interior Department su
d, scribers with an order for the twent,
" five dollar or costliest edition.