The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-23
PoLITIcs IN THE DEPARTMENTS.
How They Are Being Managed In the II

How They Are Being Managed In the In
terese of Democratic Success.
gpeciaI to the Indiana1olis Journaz.
WASHINGTON, April 22-"The Postofice and
Interior Departments" said Western member,
to-day, ''are going to be the most active and po-
tential political machines in the coming cam
paign that could be imagined. / am compelled
to visit these Departments almost every day in
behalf of my constituents, and in long and
active service In Congress have never seen
anything in the slightest degree tending towards
political consideration in official action like that
about the very air of these departments am
not directly asked by the heads of the Postoffice
and Interior De partments what the politics of
every individual, who wants favor, is but
there is hesitancy in action that is very sug-
gestive, and it is only when I say that this man
or that man is Democrat, that can get any
thing at all One of the most brazen pieces OF
political work. however" continued the mem
Der, ST have observed about the city postofice
in Washington. When the present administra-
tion came into power. Billy Dickson, who has
long been the leading active Democrat of the
District of Columbia, was put forward by the
most energetic men in the party here as their fa-
vorite for the best position within the gift of the
President. Petitions were circulated and signed
by almost every Democrat who welded any in
fuence asking that Dixon first be appointed to
this place and then to that as they filed by
other men. until all OF the places worth his
while to occupy were taken. Dickson was left
out of every possible consideration by the ad-
mnistration, largely because he is an ardent,per-
sonal and public friend of Samuel J. Randall.
who has no standing whatever at the White
House or the departments, account of his
tariff protection ideas. The President somehow
got the idea that Dixon had no influence in the
%LnLI I1 s~x&A - ETr~.A
House with q different idea. but presume that
his mind has been poisoned by some of those
mugwumps whom he has put into Office in the
District. As soon as the primaries were held
and delegates TO the mass convention which
elect delegates to the St Louis convention were
held, and Dicksons strength began to forge
to the front with wonderful sureness, the ad-
ministr atoms ear pricked up; but it made des-
perate effort to down him. Dickson feels the
smart of oversight on the part of the admins
tration, and makes no secret Of the fact that he
President Cleveland in his position.
Among the positions which were early
ship. No doubted that he would get it.
Finally, however, the mass convention was held
and Dickson was chosen as delegate TO St
Louis by the largest majority, and the most
far as can remember. The administrations
followers who fought him were defeated over
vention was held, some of the very federal of
fce-holders who had fought Dickson, went to
the President and his Cabinet officers and told
them that IL was necessary to do something for
Dickson. as he intended to go to ST Louis and
fight the administration. There was hustling.
and the result WAS vacancy in the assistant
postmastership, held by Captain Sherwood. a
0ne-legged Union soldier. The place is worth
So. 900 year. The most abominable and despic-
able part of this high transaction in which Dick
son 10 connected now develops. After Sher-
woods resignation had been accepted. these men
who had been fighting to down Dickson. and
who were themselves downed. approached him
and offered him the vacancy which is 20 be cre-
ated when Captain Sherwood goes out or the
city postoffice OF course, it was direct propo-
sition TO bribe Dickson, and since he so
unanimously recommended for the city post
mastership itself, it must have been great hu-
initiation 10 him when he was rendered minor
position, and, knowing full well, as he did, that
it was with the view to tying his hands. II
not mistaken in the man. Dickson
thinks much less OF the administration than he
did before this dispicaofe performance"