The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-08
WHY ARE THEY RETAINED
REPUBLICANS HOLD ON TO LUCRATIVE
GOVERNMENT POSITIONS.
Democratic Senators and Representatives
Endorse Them and Insist on Their Re-
tention-secretary Smith Is Invest
igating Merits Of Pensioners.

Correspondence of The Statesman.
WASHINGTON, June l. - Why
should Democratic senators and rep
resentatives insist upnG having Re.
publicans being retained in office =?
That is a question that has puzzled
the PRECEDENT, the members of the
cabinet and the heads of the import
ant bureaus of the government, and
also at times very much embarrassed
them. For instance, Democratic
senator or representative goes to the
head of a department or bureau and
asks that Republican chief of di-
vision be asked to resign and one of
his constituents, a Democrat, be ap-
pointed to the place. He is confront
ed with a letter from Democratic
senator or representative, sometimes
with letters from several of each, in
sisting and in some instances actually
demanding that the Republican chief
be kept in Office. You may imagine
the embarrassment that follows. If
this practice is kept up some sensa-
tional disclosures may be made when
congress meets, by those Democrats
who believe that positions as import
ant as chiefs of divisions ought to be
held by Democrats, if Democratic
ideas of economy and reform are to
be thoroughly carried out in
the work OF the government in all its
branches. They claim that Demo-
cratic senators and representatives
have no right to allow personal
friendships for Republican officials,
which is supposed to be the reason for
their endorsement, to stand in the
way of filling the important offices
with Democrats, to say nothing OF the
bad effect the retention OF these Re.
publicans will have on the working
Democrats who have applied for these
places, believing themselves entitled
to them. These men make no COM
plant when place they are after is
given to another Democrat, but they
do not like to see Republicans retain
ed in the places they think ought to
be filled by Democrats. =,
Is a man who is able to earn living
a manual labor and who suffers from
no wound or disability incurred while
in actual service, entitled to pension
from the government? Secretary Hoke
Smith has decided by repeating rul-
ing of the last administration as to the
construction that the pension office
shall put upon the DISABILITY not of
service originn clause of the pension
act of 1890, that he is not and common
sense would seem to be on the secreta-
ry's side In future no man will be
granted q pension under the law I'M
less he establishes the fact that he is
unable, by reason OF his dis.
ability, to earn a support
by manual labor. There will
of course, be concerted howl from
the pension sharps over this ruling De-
it will reduce the pension payments
something like 500, 100000 year, and
their fees in corresponding ratio; but
the tax payers will not object to this
saving, particularly when it is made
without depriving any old soldier who
is unable to earn q living because OF
his disability of pension.
Senator Voorhees,, who has just re-
turned from his constituents, says
there is no complaint among the dem
ocrats of Indiana because of the slow
ness of President Cleveland in making
appointments; that they are perfectly
satisfied that he is doing his full duty
in wise and patriotic manner, recog-
nizing the fact that there are other
things requiring his attention besides
patronage.
The trial of Prof. Briggs for heresy
before the general assembly of the
Presbyterian church, in session here,
has attracted the greatest public int
crest. There is much doubt as to the
punishment the assembly will decide
to inflict upon him.
Ambassador Rayord has received
his last instructions from Secretary
Gresham and will start next Satur-
day for London.
Among the new Democratic officials
who will assume their duties this
week are Solicitor General Maxwell,
United States Treasurer Morgan and
Commissioner of customs Pugh.
The demand for gold has again
brought the gold reserve fund down
several millions below the 500, 100000
line, but Secretary Carlisle is serene
and says he sees not the slightest in
dication of any financial breaker
ahead, at least not for the immediate
FRI