The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-11-13

WAsHrNeroN, oet. so, lss6.

one IN Washington. Inc Presldent
and his Cabinet returned promptly af-
ter the fatigue of Bartho,di day in
New York, and settled down to their
desks. / do not think they are billed
for any more fairs or dwellings this
fall. The annual autumn races, which
have always attracted large contingents
from the fashionable, diplomatic, army,
navy, and official circles of Washing
ton, are in progress, but the weather
is unpropitious and they have excited
less interest than usual.
Those of you who live far removed
from governmental machinery cannot
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-
travaganee, worthlessness and corrup-
tion of the old Republican officials and
methods, take special delight in the
new order of things, and feel as if too
much could not be said about it.
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 a patent is now reached in
about three months after fling. The
time formerly was five and half
months. Mr.. Montgomery says he ex-
poets 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 a year ago some OF the
divisions in this office were as much as
seventeen months behind in their ex-
aminations. To fully appreciate the
work accomplished, consideration must
be given to the fact that the commits
sioner was inexperienced and had to
study up and advise himself thorough
ly on all points relating to very diff
cult practice. The attorneys practic
ing before the Office are much pleased
with the progress made, andSask that
the good wook may go on. The Pat
ent Office, besides being self.support-
ing, pays balance in the Treasury.
There is now an account to its credit
there of nearly $4,000, 900. Last year
24,184 patents were granted ont of
81 695 applications.
A new order of things confronts
politicians these days; no help from
Washington, and stumping federal
officials to be called to account. Con-
sequcntly but few can be seen here
this week. The elections are only five
days off, but the habit of running to
Washington in hurry to get friends
or offices to assist in the election, is
not in order this year. No assistance
beyond sending out documents by the
campaign committees has been drawn
from the Capital. Notwithstanding
the great interest felt in the result, the
administration has rigidly abstained
from everything that could be con-
strued into official interference, and
no campaign contributions have been
collected in the departments.
There is much doubt as to the gen
eral result Of the election, but whatever
it may be as to parties, there will be a
large number Of new men in the next
House. The recent action Of the Pres
ident in suspending District Attorneys
Stone and Benton, one Democrat and
the other Republican, for too great
political activity, is accepted as an in
dication that the order is to be strictly
enforced. 1t is expected that num-
Der of dismisssls win result from viola
tions Of this order. A general court
of inquiry would probably not be
found practicable, but whore serious
charges sre made and supported with
sufficient evidence, dismissals will fol
low,
A campaign lie has been going the
rounds of late to the effect that when
the agent for the sale Of General
Grants Memoirs asked permission to
canvass the Interior Department for
subscribers, Secretary Lamar refused
to grant it, but that an agent for the
"Life of Robert 4. Lee" was accorded
the privilege without the slightest OBJ
lection being interposed. Nobody
ever collected permission to canvass
the Interior Department for the "Life
of Robert q, Lee until last Tuesday,
when leave was promptly granted.
When the agent of Grants Memoirs
made known TO Mr., Lamar his desire
to go through the Department with
his subscription book, the Secretary
not only acceeded to the request with
out hesitation, but headed the list Of
Interior Department subscribers with
an order for the twenty-five dollar, or
costllest, edition,
Rayne Signal The Police Jury
Of Acadia parish was appointed on the
Sd. There could not have been bad
selection as we have not heard Of q
single candidate who was not relia-
bic aud honorable gentleman. But
from the list the Governor has select
ed the following; DR. Bennet 4,
Clark, of Plaqnemine Brulee Homer