The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-03-31
FRIDAY, MARCH 81, 1895.
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1903.

Economy is the watchword in every
department Of the government and
it will not be changed as long as dem.
ocrats are in control. One of the very
first things that President Cleveland
impressed upon the minds of the men,
bers of his cabinet was that each of
them should be liberal in the use of
the pruning knife in cutting off sire
cures and useless employees under
them. Something has already been
done in the cutting off line, but what
has been done is as nothing when
compared with what will be done.
President Cleveland wishes the head
Of the department to anticipate the
findings of the Congi essional Joint
commission, which has already or
ganized, for the purpose of investiga.
ting the work Of the government de-
partments, with view to a reduction
in the number of employees and an i'm.
provement in the present slow and IN
many instances cumbersome methods
OF transacting business, wherever pos.
sible. To change the methods will in
many cases require change In the
law, but to compel every employe of
the government to render an honest
equivalent for the salary received, and
to dismiss all tie drones and shirks is
within the power of the heads Of the
departments under present laws, unless
somebody weakens it is going to be
done. l heard Of case the other
day which indicates that there is one
Secretary who will not weaken, no
matter what influence may be behind
the shirker. BY accident Secretary
Carlisle learned that an $1,000 clerk
"a woman-had only been on duty
about half the time during the last Il
months. He sent for her chief and
asked why this had been allowed "Be-
cause she is backed by Congressman
-(naming one Of the most influential
members of the HouseV "That is nc
excuse at ALL" said the Secretary
"dismlss her at once, and understand
that all the clerks in this department
have got to work for their salaries O,
get out"
Mrs Cleveland has not indicated
whether she intends holding any pub.
lie receptions this spring, but ali vino
desire to meet her can do so by writ
ing and requesting that privilege. as
she sets aside an hour twice a week
on Tuesdays and Fridays-to receive
those who have in this way obtained
her permission to call on her.
Almost as many misstatements have
been made concerning the status OF
the extra session OF the Senate as
about the intentions of President Cleve
land. Long stories have baen writ.
ten, and editors who knew no better
have printed them, about the Senate
remaining in session against the wishes
OF the President, and about the an.
noyance it was causing him. AS a
matter of fact, the extra session only
continues at the pleasure of the Presi,
dent, and as soon as he shall notify
the Senate that he has no further com.
munication to make to it, adjourn,
ment will follow, unless precedents
are all Set aside. So powerful is pre-.
cedent that at this writing it seems
probable that the democratic officers
OF the Senate will not be elected a,
the extra session, although they have
been nominated by the caucus and a
resolution adopted to proceed to elec,
them. The republicans entered a pro.
test against this proceeding on the
ground that it would be violation ol
precedent, and the indications are tha,
the democratic Senators will not ac,
against that protest.
Democrats who are here after Office
DO not as a rule take kindly to the or
der closing tie Offices OF the member.
OF the cabinet to the public on Tues
days and Fridays-cabinet days--bu
1t IS really in their interest, for it will
give the heads of the department al
opportunity to go over the papers flee
with them and make selections for ap
pointments.
The reports for and against tn,
seating of the appointed Senators from
Montana, Washington and Wyoming
were presented to day. 1t is expected
that the debate will begin at once ane
that the Senate will hold daily sessions
until vote is reached. The result i
still very much in doubt.
England and France having raisec
their ministers to the dignity of Am
bassadors the new democratic repre-
sentatives Of the United States tt
those countries will, in accordanc,
with law enacted by the last Congress
be Ambassadors, instead of minister
plenioptentiary, as heretofore. Thi
will, OF course, add no honor to ou
ministers in the eyes of Americans
but every one at all familiar with th
customs and usages of European capi