Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

eVlnced by Sucn lavish ulsplalS Oh
wealth. But the White House was
never so gay as in these days OF
"reiorm" and throughout official
circles here there is heavier eXpen-
diture and more gorgeous display
than was ever dreamed of in the
era of corruption. Still the Demo
cratic press finds nothing in this
but the most commendable "Jeiier-
sOnian simplicity"
1t is also considered quite right
and quite the regular thing, in this
era Of reform, for Democratic de-
partment officials to visit their
homes in distant states for the pur
pose of settling local troubles in
the Democratic family. Their ex.
penses are paid by the Government
and their pay runs on during their
absence. OF course, there is pre-
tense of public business, but the
sham is perfectly understood by the
department dignitaries.
The close of the fiscal year is to
be marked by great many remov-
ais from Office. Changes are an
nounced throughout all the depart
ments. Some Of these removals
are neccssitatcd 10y the failure of
the new appropriation bills to allow
for certain salaries; some probably
are justified by the demands Of the
public service, and many no doubt,
are incxpedient and contrary to
the principle Of retaining employees
who are cOnspicuously efficient and
faithful. TO such as these the
Presidents famous Christmas let.
ter will read like a snare and de-
lnsion-even a hollow mOckery, IN
connection with the notice sent
them in yellow enN elOpes dispens-
inc with their services. Such, how.
ever, is life. 1t is only now and
then that we catch glimpses of the
political mllennium,-there thing
is far in the future.
Some of the dismissals of men
who have been useful in the De
partments are distressing. One of
these cases is of a clerk in the
Treasury who was once employed
in the family of Abraham Lincoln
as private tutor to his younger
BOYS. lie had been in the Treas.
ury since 1868, was of fine char
acter, highly educated, and al
though he had grown old at his
desk, was still capable and indus
trious. Another man was dropped
recently whose efficiency may be
Judged from the fact that he had
held his place for twenty five years,
and that for sixteen years he was
chief of division. He called upon
Mr.. Eugene Higgins with his dis
missal in his hand and asked to
know the reason. That's the rea-
son." answered Higgins, pointing
to the papers which he held. He
then applied to one of the Assist
ant Secretaries and that officer told
him that he had no reasons. 1t is
true the discharged clerk was
known as Republican but he was
attending TO his duties and con-
sidered himself one Of those who
were alluded to by the President
as being in 10 danger Of losing their
places.
In the Senate a few days since,
they were discussing appropriations
increasing the clerical force of the
State Department. Several Repub-
lican Senators diamonds, ingalls,
and Hale commented upon the
anomaly of a Democratic Cabinet
officer being under the necessity of
coming to the Senate Appropria-
ton Committee for what it would
not get from the House Appropria-
tons Committee. Senator ingalls,
said IN reference to it that Chair
man Randall would be going on
the stump soon and claiming that
the efforts of the Democratic House
to prevent extravaganza had been
thwarted by the Republican Sen
ate.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri,
declared that the necessity for this
increase came from the charitable
desire of the Secretary OF State to
retain on pay an old Superannuated
public servant who was Repub'
lican. He referred to Assistant
Secretary Hunter who has been in
the service Of the State Department
for nearly sixty years. Senator
Dawes, of Massachusetts denied
that this old official was a Republi-
can. He had, long years ago, been
appointed by a Democratic Admin
istration, and had been retained by
Democratic and Republican admin
istratiOnS alike.
Senator EvartS criticised the
language of Cockrell in reference
to Hunter, whom Seward had said
was able to run the State Depart
ment in all matters not POLITICAL
Then Senator Ingalls, INDUCED in a
little flight of sarcasm at CockrelPs
expense. lie thought when Mr..
Bayard would read the COMPRESSION
al Record on the following day he
would say, in reference to Cock
relrs remarks, "IIeaven save me
from my friends. l will defend
myself against my enemies" Mr..
Bayard had been placed by that
Al Il