The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1893-03-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, MARCH p 1893.

Economy is the watchword in every depart
ment Of the government and it will not be
changed as long as democrats are in control.
One of the very first things that President
Cleveland impressed upon the minds of the
members of his cabinet was that each of them
should be liberal in the use of the pruning
knife in cutting off sinecures and useless en-
p.oyes 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 wish
es the heads of the departments to anticipate
the findings of the Congressional joint CON-
mission, which has already been organized.
for the purpose of investigating the work OF
the government departments, with view to a
reduction in the number of employees and an
improvement in the present slow and in many
instances cumbersome methods of transactine
business, wherever possible. TO change the
methods will in many cases require change
in the law, but to compel every employee of
the government to render an honest equiva-
lent for the salary received and to dismiss all
the 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. | heard of case the other day
which indicates that there is one Secretary
who will not weak III, no matter what influ-
ence may be behind the strikers. By acct
dent Secretary Carlisle e .rned that an $3.50
clerk-a woman-had OF l. been on duty a :.
bout half the time durlug the last twelve
months. He sent for her chief and a,kei why
this had been allowed. ''Becallse she is ha,.k
ed by Congressnan- (naming one of th
most influential mem es OF the H)u>e)'
That is Ito exc 5 at alt, lid the S.cr-t,-
ry: 'dlStnlSS her ..C one, and IN irr5ttnt thu
all The clerks iii this l-ptrtm mt have got
work for their salaries or get out.
Mrs. Cleveland has not indie .ted whether
she Intends holding any public receptions
this spring, but all who desire TO meet heI
can do SO by writing and r qllesting that priv
iiege. as she sets aside all hour twice week
on Tuesdays and Frdays-t) receive those
who have in this way obtained her perInis sion
to call on her.
Almost as many misstatem .nts have been
made concerning the status of the extra SEES
sion ofthe Senate as about the intentions of
President Cleveland. Long stories have been
written, and editors who knew no better have
printed them, about the Senate remaining in
session against the wishes of the President,
and about the annoyance it was causing him
As matter of fact, the extra session only con-
tinues at the pleasure of the President, and as
soon as he shall notify the Senate that he has
no further communication to make to it, ad-
journment will follow, unless precedents are
all set aside. 81 powerful is precedent that
at this writing 1t seems probable that the dem
ocratic officers of the Seuate will not be cleo
ted at the extra session, although they have
been nominated by the caucus aud "A resolu-
ton adopted te proceed to elect them. The
republicans entered prot st against this pro
ceedlng on the ground that ii would be vic
laton OF precedent, and the indications ale
that the demo Ratio Senators will not act a.
gainst that protest.
DenOci ats who are here after Office do not
as rdle take kindly to the order closing the
offices OF the members of the cabinet to the
public on Tuesdays and Fridays,-cabinet
days--out it is really in their interest, for il
Will give the heads OF the department an OPP
portunity to 60 over the papers filed with them
and make selections for appointments.
The reports for and against the seating oil
the appointed Senatorsfrom Montana, Wash
| lngton and wyoming, were presented to the
Senate today. 1t is expected that the debate
will begin at once and that the Senate will
| hold daily sessions until vote is reached
| The result is still very much in doubt.
England and France ha,i ig raised thei
ministers to the United States to the dignity
| OF Ambassadors the new democritic represent
tatives OF the United to those countries will
IN accordance with a ,w enacted by the las
congress be Ambassadors, instead of minis
tiers penlpotenCiary, as heretofore. This will
OF course, add no honor to our ministers il
the eyes OF Americans, but every one at al
familiar with the customs and usa res of Elrt
pean capitals knows that it will add much tt
their prestige abroad.
Secretary Hoke Smiths first decision wa
against the Southern Pacific Railroads rigl
to large tract of land which is claimed an
Kept from being opened to settlement. Thi
decision not only opens this land to settle
ment, but 1t is a refutation of the silly repub
lican charge that it Was corporation influence
which put Secretary Smith into the cabi
net.