The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-11

VAohlSbION, NOV lO.-I opoClall-
The strong probability of an extr. ses.
sion of Congress Immediately following
tho inauguration of PRO sidont-eiect
Glove and is tho subject OF general con-
versation in Washington to-day. A
special session Of tho Senate is always
called at the beginning of now admin
istration to confirm members of tho
Cabinet and new diploma tic representa-.
tives of the United States abroad. But
the present election having turned or
the questions of domestic policy it is
said to be obvious to experienced politi-
cal leaders Of all parties that an extra
session of both Houses of Congress will
almost inevitably result.
Secretary of the Treasury Foster,
among others, admits this. The coun-
try, he says, challenged the Judgement
of tn Republicans on the Mckinley
bill and the result must be accepted as
the will of the people that a different
policy should be put into effect. Elk.
Secre AIRY Bayard writes to friend
hero to a like effect. adding that the
people will expect this to be done with
out unnecessary delay.
Private Secretary IIalford has re-
sumed his duties at the White House.
He arrived in Washington this morn
ing from Indianapolis. He frankly adj.
mittcd his surprise and disappointment
at tho result Of tho election and says he
gayo up all hopo for tho Republican
ticket when he first learned OF the
heavy Democratic majority in Chicago
and New York city.
The President did not have very many
callers to.day and received scarcely any
private advices on the subject of the
election. He has accepted tho result in
tho most philosophical manner, and is
said to attribute his failure to hear from
the party managers as clear indication
that they have nothing encouraging to
Communicate.
Thore arc a number Of vacancies in
the higher offices OF the executive de-
partments OF the government, and the
problem OF filling them has been con
siderably complicated by the result Of
the recent election These positions
are outside of the civil service law and
regulations and are looked upon as tho
Legitimate patronage of the party in
power.
Under the present administration all
OF these places arc or have been filled
by men of Republican political faith as
during tho last administration thew
were filled by Democrats. 1t is OK
pected, of course, that when the ad-
ministration changes on March next,
another general change will be made.
In view of that fact the vacancies now
existing cannot DO regarded as alto.
gethcr desirable prizes, as in about
three months the appointees would, no
doubt. be expected to step down and ont.
1t will be necessary, however, in order
that public business may be properly
carried on, that some of these vacancies
be filled at once Although there has
been no lack of applications, yet it is
doubtful whether any large proportion
of them would be willing to accept these
places, which they must so soon sur
render, and in making such appoint
ments President Harrison will probably
find that the Office must seek the man
and not the man the office, which will ba
something of a novelty in his political
experience.
In the PostofIlco Department there is
only one vacancy in the higher Offices,
and that is the office of first assistant
postmaster general. Col Whitfield's
resignation went into effect nearly a
month ago, and since that time Fowler,
the chief clerk of the office, has been
acting as first assistant. Under tho law
an acting first assistant can serve only
thirty days, after which permanent
appointment must be made, if the va
cancy is filled at all Fowler and Bell.
the second assistant postmas ter general,
havo been mentioned for the place. but
Wanamaker, it is said, has not yet fully
decided who he will recommend, but he
will presumably take some action soon.
In the Interior Department there il
also one important vacancy, that of
commissioner of the general land Office,
now being temporarily filled by Assis-
tant Com missioner Stone. 1t has boon
suggested that Carter IL light be induced
TO return and serve until March 4, but
this is quito improbable. 1t is assumed
that tho heads OF all the bureaus of tho
departments will be replaced by Demo.
Gratis soon after the fourth OF March and
these, with a hundred or more chiefs of
divisions, chief clerks and others out
side of the civil service, will constitute
thd main patronage at the disposal OF
the Democratic party in tho government
service in Washington
In the War and Navy Departments
there are no vacancies in any of the
important Offices. The same is true of
eue OeParLihent Vi obaIe proper DuJ
there are several diplomatic places va
cant, which are usually most enticing
to would be officeholders. but may now
go begging. Some of these places are
ministers of high orders, such as tho
Italian mission, Russian mission, Portu.
guese mission, Swiss mission and finally
the Chinese mission. In all these cases
but the last the Republican incumbents
have resigned.
In the case Of the Chinese mission
owing to Biair's rejection. the place is
still held by Minister Denby, a hold.
ONer from the Last DnnNnr RI tin cd nj n L,