Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-09-18
WASHINGTON
Interesting Notes on Dakota and
Other Big Things.

the ONCE seeker mere. congressman
and bob.tailed congressman are here
again. The bob.tailed congressman are
they who were nominated by the DEM
ocratic party and defeated in 1884.
Some OF them are renominated. and
have influence in the matter %ofappoint-
ments, but the majority of them do not
amount to much.
The clerks in the general land office
are being worked to death. They are
trying to make up for lost time. All of
the instructions which Sparks erected
last year are being torn down, so that
the machinery Of government NAV run
smoothly. The result tells heavily upon
the clerks who have to catch up with
the work which he has been pigeon
holing for more than Il year. The boys
are doing their best to stand the pres.
sure, but some of them look like over
worked animals. No settler in the
northwest can curse Sparks any more
e%loquently than the clerks under him.
They are sufferers from his assinine and
inane stupidity.
The secretary of the interior intends
to show Sparks something in the way of
executive power when he returns
from his trip to the northwest. He will
CLEAN and garner some facts which will
be laid before the president. An effort
Will be made to cause the removal of
the Objectionable commissioner, 1t is
ito be hoped that it will be y successful
one.
The reduction of the salaries and the
allowances for clerk hire in Dakota
postofices is being made a subject of
inquiry at the postoftice department.
1t is time that something Of the kind
were done. There can be no shadow of
doubt that the territory has been dis.
eliminated against. Congressman who
have votes on appropriations can lnfu.
ence the disbursements. Delegates
from the territories, haying no votes,
are not regarded as they should be. The
department officials like to please those
who have influence. They are not afraid
ct the delegates who have no votes.
Ergo. they pay but little heed to them
and their constituents.
1t is about time that the half million
people of Dakota should be represented
III congress. 1t is not necessary to di.
vide the territory in order to be admit
ted to statehood. But, united or divid
ed. the people should have representa-
ton in both senate and house: and
until statehood is attained the territory
cannot expect to receive proper treat
ment from the executive departments.
| belieye, from advices recently re-
ceived, that either Clifford or Campbell
will be nominated at Yankton. Clifford
is entitled to the recognition which he
seeks. But, if he is not renominated
the Republican party of the territory
owes it to Hugh j. Campbell that he be
chosen as their representative.
Strange as it may seem t you, there
are straws blowing from the north which
indicate that George S. Engle. of Aber-
deem, will be nominted by the Demo.
Gratis. lie is quite popular with them,
and has done his party some service
OF course the division wing of the Dem.
ocratic party will oppose Engle. But as
the anti-divisionists are in the majority
they can nominate their man.
There are few ,iubilant Democrats in
the departments here, and 1t is quite
likely that there are few anywhere who
are extremely happy. The fact is, the
president has not yet made up his mind
to become a member of the Democratic
party. and until he does there can be nc
complete happiness in that party.
One OF the strongest and most out
spoken Republicans | have ever known
says: 'Cleveiand is good enough Re
publican for me. II he were nominated
bv the Republican party l would Just a.
lief vote for him as not. He is not 8
Democrat and is good enough liepubli
can for me-" There are many who fee
Just that way, and it is no wonder tina
the Democratic party is not happy. The
only man in that party who has sufi
cient sand to express his thoughts i
Senator Beck, Of Kentucky. He doesn'
pretend to be pleased with Cleveland
All the others try to swallow their med
icine with an ice.cream smile as if it wa
good. but they know it amt and the,
know that others know it amt. too.
The signs Of the times are that ther,
will be a shaking up Of the department
al dry bones when the boss and the cab
met return from their trips. Some pee
pie seem to think that it is very strang
that Cleveland should allow his servant
so far out Of his sight as Lamar and Vii
as haye gone. He generally keeps
tight rein on them and doesn't trus
them too far. But since he has beel
married and has some one else to boss
it is believed that the members of tn
cabinet will have an easier time. But
Grover ever wakes up with a great head
a head that sticks to the pillow, and NJ
cocktails in sight, if he undertakes t
Claw Frances and she won't allow il