The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1893-06-02
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, MAY 20, 1893.

Why should democratic Senators and Rep
resentatives insist upon having republicans re
tanned in office? That is question that puZ-
zled the President, the members of the caoi
net and the heads of the important bureaus
of the Government, and also at times very
much embarrassed them. For instance,
democratic Senator or Representative goes to
the head of department or bureau and asks
that republican chief Of division be asked
to resign and one of his constituents, demo-
crat, be appointed to the place. he is con-
fronted with letter from q democratic Sena-
tor or Representative. sometimes with letters
from several Of each, insisting and in some
instances actually demanding that the repub-
llcan chief be kept in Office. You may imag-
inc the embarrassment that follows. II this
practice it kept up some sensational disclOs-
ures may be made when Congress meets, by
those democrats who believe that positions as
important as chiefs of divisions ought to be
held by democrats, if democratic ideas of e.
economy and reform are to be thoroughly cal
ried out in the work of the Government in all
its branches. They claim that democratic
Senators and Representatives have no right to
allow personal friendships for republican otfic-
ais, which is supposed to be the reason for
their endorsement, to stand in the way of fill :
ing the important offices with democrats, to
say nothing of the bad effect the retention of
these republicans viii, have on the working
democrats who have applied for these places,
believing themselves entitled to them. These
men make no complaint when . place they
are after is given to another democrat, but
they do not like to see republicans retained in
the pla ces they think ought 10 he filled by
democrats.
Is a man who is able to earn u living at
manual labor and WIN suffers from no wound
or disability incurred while in actual service
entitled to pension from the Government
Sec. Hoke Smith has decided by repeating a
ruling of the last administration as to the con
struction that the Pension Office shall. put up
OH the disability not OF service origin" clause
of the pension act of 1890. that he is not, aud
common sense would seem to be on the Score
tary's side. In future no man will be granted
pension under that law unless he establishes
the fact that he is unable by reason OF his dis
ability to earn q support by manual labor.
There will, of course, be concerted howl
from the pension sharpS over this ruling be-
cause it will reduce the pension payments
something like S20,Nn0,000 year, and their
fees in corresponding ratio; but the tax pay
or. will not OBJECT to this saving, particularly
| when it is made without depriving any Old
| soldier who is unable to earn living because
| of his disability of pension
Senator voorhees,, who has just returned
from his constituents, says there is no CON-
nlajnt among the democrats Of Indiana be-
cans. of the slowness of President Cleveland
| in making appointments; that they are perfect
| y sati SIZED that he is doing his full duty in a
wise and patriotic manner, recognizing the
fact that there are other things requiring his
attention besides patronage.
Sec Lamont, Attorney General Olney, and
p. NJ G. Bissell left Washington on flying
| Visits to their respective homes on Satur day,
| Int thew will all be back at their desks this
| week.
The trial of Prof Briggs for heresy, which
| is now going on before the General Assembly
| of the PRESBYTERIAN church, III session here, Is
attracting the greatest public interest. II
seems to be generally bel eyed that he will be
found guilty, but theirs is much doubt as tt
the punishment the assembly will decide te
infict upon him.
| Ambassador Bsyard has received his last IL
structions from Sec. Gresham and he will star
from New York next Saturday for London.
! Among the new democratic officials who
will assume their dutie this week are Sollcl-
tor General Maxwell, L. ). Treasurer Nor
gan, and Commissioner of Customs Pugh.
The demand for gold for export has agar
| brought the gold reserve fund several million.
below the $780, 200, 900 line, but Sec. Carlisle
is serene and says he sees not the slightest in
dication of any financial breakers ahead, a
least not for the immediate future.