The Meeker herald., 1893-04-08
Washington Notes.


Andrew Jackson Long, of Cedar Hill,
Tennesee-doubtless with the feeling
that il is impossible for Il president, or
anybody else, to have too many good
luck" bringers, has, through Represen-
tative Washington, presented him with
a mascot in the form of silver half
dollar. minted in the wear of the presi-
dents birth-lS37-wh Mr.. Clcve-
land accepted in the same spirit with
which it was given, and in due course
of time he will formally acknowledge
the gift in an autograph letter to Mr..
Long, which viii probably be more
highly priced than the best Office at the
presidents disposal.
That Secretary Gresham intends TO
be the actual head of his department
was proven 10y his promptness in de-
manding the resignation of DR.. i. O.
st Clair, who has been chief of the con
sular bureau under the last three ad-
ministrations, for having withheld GER
tain information concerning a L. 5.
consul from the secretary. There are
number of old bureau chiefs in the
other departments who deserve to be
made to walk the plank for the same
reason. These men who have been in
Office so long that they have arrogated
TO themselves authority which belongs
only to the head OF the department, and
their dismissal would be for the good
OF the service in more respects than
one. In fact, there are few men who
can remain in 4 responsible Goycrr-
mcnt Office for a long term Of years
without forgetting that they are ser
wants, instead of masters. New men
and new methods are wanted in every
branch of the government service, as
must soon become apparent TO every
member of the cabinet who examines
into the details of his own department.
and the indications are that that is now
being more thorouglY done than ever
before.
Removing n L. :. consul by cable is
seldom rcsorted to by tie department
of the state. but it was done in one
case this week by Secretary Gresham,
J
deserved. The reasons for Secretary
Grcsham's action are, in short, as fol-
lows: In the early part OF the presl-
dental campaign William Il. Sorsby,
of Mississippi, was acting rs Congress
mans Catching's private secretary, and
tGNing advantage Of his position he alb
stracted certain papers containing i'm
portant facts relating 10 the Democratic
campaign plans from the private
desk of Mr.. Catching and gave them to
Mr.. Thomas II. Carter, chairman Of
the lfppapucan n:T..rGssr sA,umittee
In November last Soisby was appoint d
L. 5. consul general at Guyaquil, Ec-
quldor. position which pays $1,000 n
year, presumably rs a reward for his
treachery to Representative Catchings
and the Democratic party. AS soon rs
these facts were brought to the atten-
ton of President Cleveland and secrc-
tary Gresham Sorsby was dismissed by
cable. and Mr.. George Z. billiard, of
Mississippi, nominated TO the vacancy.
So far from the nomination of DR..
Joseph 5. Scnner, of New York, to be
commissioner OF immigration at New
York, which went to the senate this
week, having been secured by the
steamship influence, rs Republicans
are alleging, it was made in direct op-
position TO that influence. The contest
for the position has been quite spirited,
there having been number Of caudi-
dates all strongly backed In order to
ascertain the sentiments of the steam
ship men towards each of the appli-
cants Secretary Carlisle had a trusty
personal friend call on them for the
purpose OF discussing the fitness of the
several candidates, and rs soon as his
report was made the name Of every
man the steamship men had expressed
themselves as being favOr.bly inclined
towards WAS stricken from the list of
possibilities.
Iloke Smith is giving the bureau
chiefs of the interior department some
new ideas about the service they owe
the government. Instead of their leav-
ing the department daily at o'clock,
MS the ordinary clerks do, and as they
have been in the habit Of doing they
are compelled to remain until clock,
the additional hour being devoted to
conference with the secretary on the
current business before their several
bureaus There is some kicking among
the chiefs, but as most Of them are Re
publicans it is done very quietly. Sec.