St. Landry democrat., 1886-12-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. goth, 1886

3e here in one week, and everybody
must be ready for it from the President
to the clearinghouse keeper. The
Presidents message is receiving its las
course of condensation and revision
Cabinet officers are performing smila,
work on their annual reports, and tbei,
Assistants of the First, Second, Third
and Fourth degrees, with several hun
dred Bureau Chiefs, Comptrollers, Aud
ltors and officers too numerous to men
ton are arranging their figures and
plodding over long tables of statistics.
The streets of the city aie again
alive with busy, busting throng and
up at the long deserted Capitol, Chair
man Randall, with quorum of his
committee, has for week been p,essing
work on Appropriation bills. lie re-
ports fine progress, and says Congress
will not have to wait on him for money
bills. During the week he has had in
consultation the heads of different Blu
reaus and Government establishments
with regard to the needs of their re-
spective departments for the next year.
Among these We're Prof. Baird of the
National Museum, Smithsonian and
Fish Commission, Superintendent
Thorne of the Coast Survey, Dr. God
ding of the Government Insane Asylum,
Col. Wilson of public buildings and
grounds and others.
The improved condition of the Gov
eminent service under Democratic
Administration has been mentioned re-
peatedly, but new instances of reform
are continually making themselves felt,
which deserve especial notice. The
President probably never made a hap
pier stroke Of public policy than when
he called Mr.. Benedict here to the Pub
lie Printer. In the period of three
months the VIGOROUSLY demoralized
Government Printing Office has been
put in such order that about one third
more work is now being done with the |
same amount OF money, and the press |
room which three months ago had 400
forms waiting for the press is now
clear, having caught up."
1t is too bad the President cannot he
left in peace and quiet with his modest
little country home. As soon as the
real estate dealers of Washington knew
of his intention to buy this place they
secured as much ground in the vicinity
as possible and ever since they have been
using the Presidents name in the most
liberal manner in connection with all
sorts Of schemes they have organized
for improvements at the public expense
OF course the President has been in no
way concerned in these manevers, but
rnmors to that effect cannot but be an
noying to him.
Almost every day the President or
Col Lamont is forced to say there is
not a word Of truth in some report
about the President. The Colonel's
latest denial, which is very emphatic, is
in regard to an investigation which it is
alleged the President is conducting by
means of private detective to find ont
it any of the District Commissioners
are interested in real estate along the
line OF the proposed extension of Mass
achusetts Avenue. The Secretary adds
that the President had his hands full of
his own legitimate duties and did not
care to interfere with outside matters.
Some OF the statements telegraphed
from this city in connection with the
police scandal alleging decentralization
md rottenness in District affairs and
dissatisfaction with the COM
nissionership form Of Government, are
lutte untrue. The people of the District
eel that the present Commissioners are
lonest and reliable, and that any errors
hey may commit are purely those of
Judgment. The paying people
know when they are well off.
nd they have no desire to exchange
he present government rule and gov
backing in District expenses
or the boon of suffrage.
Speaking of the Police Scandal, GER
ain members of Congress have ex-
ressed their opinion that Congress will
OF ask to have the matter investigated.
We can take no notice of it officialIy,D
aid Representative Sowden, "for no
congressman has been Individually as
ersed or injured, and whoever de-
landed an investigation would be
as putting himself on the
efensive and confessing his guilt
ut now since so many police officers
ave been punished and dismissed it is
I'D they will appeal for redress to the ]