The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1893-03-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrOm OIL regular corespondsn,.)
wAsHIsofoN, March 20, /


WasHfsofoN, March 20, 1893.
President Cleveland was ffty-six years
old Saturday, and his numerous callers did
not forget to tender congratulations and
many happy returs." The day was not
celebrated In any way at the White House,
unless the unusually hard days work put in
by the president and his assistants can be
called celebration. That the rule against
the appointment of ex-oficials is not an
iron-clad affair was demonstrated when
Representative Springer, Of Illinois, at the
head of delegation, presented the name Of
MIR l. W Chambers, who was postmaster at
Jacksonville. III, under Mr. cIeveland's last
administration, as candidate for reap
pointment. The president at once re-
minded Mr. Springer Of the one term rule.
"But Mr. President, replied Mr. Springer,
"this is an exceptional case. Mr. Chambers
was the best postmaster the town ever had
and the citizens generally wish him reap
pointed. Besides, he was not allowed to
serve out his term" "Ah," replied N
Cleveland, that makes quite difference
Please put the facts in writing and submit
to me-
His thoroughness with everything that
comes before him is what surprises those
who come in contact with President Cleve-
land more than any other one trait in his
character. A case In point came under my
personal observation several days ago. The
president made an appointment setting a
time early the next morning to hear an sp
peal for executive clemency for a condemn
ed murderer. Ehose crime-the deliberate
murder of his young wife and her brother
was one of the most brutal ever committed
in Washington. AT the time the president
knew little more about the case than that a
last appeal to the supreme court Of the
United States In behalf Of the prisoner had
failed day or two before. but he sent for
a aeomplese record Of the case and when be
met those who came to make the appeal he
was rs familiar with the case Is they were.
although he had been compelled TO remain
up nearly all night to acquire the knowl-
edge. OF course they were surprised to
find all OF their arguments so well met by
the president, but after seeing how thor
oughly posted he was on the case they were
not surprised at his refusal to interfere
With the carrying cut Of the sentence. This
is only one case. bat it furnishes fair
sample Of the methods Of the president. 1t
waa because be did not possess the knowl
edge about Hawaii that he deemed neces-
sary to intelligent action that the treaty
was withdrawn from the senate and ex-I
Congressman Blount sent to Hawaii In
search Of the desired information. He Is
never.precipitaie in anything; hence his
reputation for making .. few missakes, and
for being a safe man.
So. many sensational stories hare been
told and printed during the last week about
the president being disappointed at the
committee assignments If the senate, and
aloait those assignments having been made
by a majority Of the democratic cancas in
defiance ofiMr Cleveland's wishes, that !
have taken special care to obtain the senti-
ments Of the democratic senators regarding
those stories. As the result it can be posi-
lively stated that the president made no
attempt to interfere in the slightest manner
with the committee assignments. which
were made in the usual way. In accordance
with the wishes Of q majority Of the demo
cratic senatorial caucus; therefore he could
not have been disappointed. There can be
no do1bt that the president regrets that s
nancial views Of majority Of the deu,o-
cratic senator's do not entirely accord with
his own. but neither he nor they anticipate
any clash on that account, as all good dem
ocrais have precisely the same end in view
the prosperity of the country: and that
legislative program can be arranged up
in which all can unite is not doubted in
either the whiiaHouse or the senate
Rsp;eseatasiv.. Enloe, OF Tennssee. who
hss for long time been Sighting the many
abuses for which Pension commissiener
Raum was responsible. has the satisfaction
OF knowing that he was directly the cause OF
Raum's resignation being ask ed fer and re-
ceived by Sec. Smith. Mr. Enioe has no
candidate .or the Office; all he wished was
to see Raum s'hred cut" Of the Office which
no has In various ways dlsgrseed and he did
not rsst until that was aa accomplished TACT
II Is expected that the Rew democratic Com
missioner Of Pensions will be appointed with
10 the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Depa-
ty Commissioner Davidson is acting head o
the Bureau. As to the new mao, Secretary
Smith says be is determined to ges the bes,
man in the country Tor the place. The right
sort Of man at the lead Of the Pension Bu-
reau Will have an unexcelled opportunity To-
make national reputation. by saving some
Of the millions that ass annually sqaandered
upon fraudulen' and usdeserving pensioners.
and that's the sort Of man who will be
selected.
Secretary Morton has started in well. One
Of mis- 6rst Official acts was the dismissal Of
forty odd employees whose work he consid-
ar.d ynnsrs.a.rw