The Penn's Grove record., 1893-03-31
washington Letter.

NNAlN al "hANs "a w. fAtANAStA
men of affairs ever transacted any bust
ness of magnitude with the Govern
ment without becoming convinced that
there was need of reform both in the
method and manner of doing business
in the Departments; that there was too
much red tape and too many employees.
1t was this sentimentillat caused the
adoption of an amendment to an ap.
proNriation bill at the last session of
Cor gress, appointing a joint Congress.
sional committee to investigate the de-
partments and report as to how the
methods may be improved and the
number Of EN- ployes reduced without
detriment to the public service. This
sentiment has also been adopted by the
administration, and a number of use
less employees have already been dis
missed from the Treasury and Agricul-
tural Departments, and the promise
made that the sinecures and barnacles
are to be weeded out in all the rest of
them Just as fast as the heads of the
departments can locate them. What
has been done is a step in the right di-
rection, and if the administration will
only keep its promise to put the depart
ments on a purely business basis 1t will
deserve the thanks Of every tax payer
in the land. But it is no easy task, as
those familiar with the situation know,
for the sinecures and the barnacles are
the very ones who have the strongest
''pull," both political and social, and
more than II administration has fail
ed in sincere attempts TO Gust them.
The daily genes at the White House
are very amusing to the few who have
nothing at stake and who don't care a
brass button who gets the plums; the
fun isn't so apparent to the walters and
hopers. To fully enjoy the thing one
must have been here from the begin
ming OF the administration, when Sena-
tors and Representatives stalked into
the White House with q sort of I've
got-to, have.'m air, while their admir-
ing constituents followed with an OIL.
am-all-right smile. Several attempts
have been made to have state delega.
tons act in concert in recommending
men for appointment, but all of them
have been abandoned and it is now a
question OF every Senator and Member
getting whatever he can whether the
other fellow gets anything ornot. The
applicants and their Congressional
hackers have all dropped their over
confident air and they now approach
President Cleveland in IA please-may.I-
have.it style. The last three weeks in
Washington ought to have convinced
any outsider who has been here Of the
folly Of becoming all Office seeker, but
candor compels me to say that they
haven't, and that some WHO were at
first merely on lockers have allowed
themselves to become office seekers.
The new order closing the offices of
the Members of the Cabinet to the pub
lie OIL Tuesdays and Fridays the days
on which the Cabinet meets, i snot pop
ular, either with Congressman. office
seekers or business men who wish to
see these gentlemen. On Mondays
President Cleveland sees no one, unless
by special appointment.
Senator Martin, of Kansas, says that
he has assurances that the populists of
his state will be recognized in the dis
tribution OF federal patronage, notwith-
standing the popular impression to the
contrary.
The threat of the republican Sena-
tors to resort TO filibustering il the
democrats attempted to elect the OH.
GERS nominated by their caucus will, it
is believed, result in ~postponing tile
election of the officers until the regular
session. A number of Senators are not
disposed TO take part in any controversy
as they have made arrangements to
leave town as soon as the vote is taken
upon the question OF seating the APP
pointed Senators, regardless of whether
The Senate shall adjourn or remain in
session.
The old superstition about its being
'.bad luckn tor a U. s. Senator to build
Il house in Washington is recalled by
the announcement that the elegant
residence erected by Senas) u Sawyer, of
Wisconsin not three years ago, has
teen leased for a period of six years be-
ginning the first OF next June to Sena-
tor Stockbridge, of Michigan, who is to.
keep up the repairs, pay tue taxes, and
pay an annual rental of S6,250, for it.
The rent is considered cheap as the
House is valued at S125 900.
Those people who believe that the
title Ambassador will add dignity
and influence 10 American ministers
abroad ought to be happy, as, under a
law of the last Congress the President
is authorized to send ambassadors to
such European countries as send am
bassadors to us, and England and
France have already promoted their
American ministers to ambassadors.
Wonder what old Ben Franklin and
other sturdy American ministers
abroad in the early days of the Repub.
lie would think of this wrinkle?