The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-26
YANKEE MICAWBERS.
thousands OF Them Are Now In
~ the National Capital.
Like Their English Prototype They Arc
waiting for Something to Turn Up
I'm tho Meantime Their
Families VIII Suffer.
Especial washington Lcttcr.l

The official atmosphere of tho ma
tional capitol is changing thoroughly
but gradually. President Cleveland
has soIne ideas of his own concerning
theproper administration of the cxccu-
five departments, and it is well-known
that among his most positive views con-
corning such administration is the idea
that rotation in Office should be very
slow and conservative. In consequence
OF tins determination on the part of
the chief magistrate to the republic the
changes in the offices which are occur
ing arc scarcely pcrceptiblo up to date.
OF course, you have read in tho daily
papers concerning the principal APP
pointmcnts which have been made; and
it was presumed that these changes
would occur early in the administra-
ton, as they ought to occur.
In letter written to this paper last
winter the attention of readers was
called to the fact that it is necessary
during the first month or two of an adj
ministratior for the president to devote
his time to the selection of the princi-
pal assistants of his cabinet officers.
The assistant rostmasters general will
have to bc selected, the assistants to
the secretary of the treasury, and the
assistants To the other secretaries re.
quire almost as much time and consid-
Grafton at the hands of the president as
the selection of the original members
of his cabinet. AS stated in Il former
letter these assistants very frequently
are required to act for the heads of the
departments, and upon them must de-
volvc the great responsibilities of the
highest Offices. Therefore they must
be men of signal ability and knowledge
of public affairs.
OF course until these selections could
be made, it was impossible for any
changes to be ordered in the minor of.
fees, such as commissioncrships and
chief clerkships of divisions of bureaus
Moreover, the heads of departments,
when they assumed their positions.
were we'll aware of the policy which the
president intended should be pursued in
the matter OF rotation in office, and
therefore they have been hcsitant about
giving consideration to the claims and
demands o: politicians who believe that
they are entitled to employment by
reason of the political uphcaval last
November. Mir Cleveland is practical
civil service reformcr. His views CON
corning Il stable civil service are not
confined to the continuance in Office of
the minor clerlis-those who WELD the
pen and do the actual work of the de-
partmcnts; but he believes and does
not hesitate To express the opinion that
the chiefs OF divisions who have charge
of these men, after becoming familiar
with the details of their important Of
fees, should not be intliscriminntclv re-
moved and caused to fear that every
change Of administration will sever
their relations with the government.
lie desires a stable civil service In every
sense of the word and his views arc
heartily concurrcd in by every member
OF his cabinet.
Although the official atmosphere of
the city has been changing gradually,
the ncw faces and figures seen uDon
Pennsylvania avenue and other princi-
pal thoroughfarcs in this city are quite
numerous. 1t is manifest that there arc
thousands OF good people throughout
this country who do not agree with the
president in his views concerning the
civil service. Four years ago the streets
were eeowdod with patriotic republic
ans who were willing to serve their
country for two thousand dollars Der
annum or moro; and to-day their places
arc taken by gentlemen of the victori-
GUS party who are willing to wear the
insignia OF their patriotic brothers and
Serve their country for the same salary.
In the hotel lobbics and corridors in
the evenings, and in the barrooms
throughout the city, these patriotic
gentlemen can be heard airing their
views concerning the president and his
intentions concerning the executive de-
partmcnts At first they arc talking in
whispers among intimate friends AS
the days 80 hy, however, and their
hopes arc rot fully realized, they will
be found talking out loud and express
ing their views in more vigorous Ian
gnagc. Later on, when their funds