The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-04-13
YANKEE MICAWBERS.
Thousands Of Them Are Now Ia
the National Capital.
Like Their English Prototype They Are
Waiting for Something to Turn Up
In the Meantime Their
Families VIII Suffer.
Especial Washington letter.


The official atmosphere of the ma
tional capitol is changing thoroughly
but gradually. President Cleveland
has some ideas OF his own concerning
the proper administration of the execu-
tive departments, and it is well-known
that among his most positive views con-
corning such administration is the idea
that a rotation in office should be very
slow and conservative. In consequence
of this determination on the part OF
the chief magistrate to the republic the
changes in the offices which are occur
ing are scarcely perceptible up to date.
Of course, you have read in the daily
papers concerning the principal APP
pointments 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
ministration for the president to devote
his time to the selection of the princi-
pal assistants of his cabinet officers.
The assistant postmasters general will
have 20 be 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 ut the hands of the president as
the selection of the original members
of his cabinet. As stated in former
letter these assistants very frequently
are required to act for the heads of the
departments and upon them must de-
volve 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 commissionerships 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 hesitant about
giving consideration to the claims and
demands of politicians who believe that
they are entitled to employment by
reason of the political upheaval last
November. Mr. Cleveland is practical
civil service reformer. His views con-
corning stable civil service are not
confined to the continuance in Office of
the minor clerlls-those who WELD the
pen and do the actual work of the de-
partments; 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 Unfortunately re-
moved and caused to fear that every
change of administration will sever
their relations with the government.
He desires a stable civil service in every
sense of the word and his views are
heartily concurred in by every member
of his cabinet.
Although the official atmosphere of
the city has been changing gradually,
the new faces and figures seen upon
Pennsylvania avenue and other princi-
pal thoroughfares in this city are quite
numerous. 1t is manifest that there are
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 crowded with patriotic republic
ans who were willing to serve their
country for two thousand dollars per
annum or more; and to-day their places
are 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 lobbies 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-
partments At first they are talking in
whispers among intimate friends. AS
the days go by, however, and their
hopes are not fully realized, they will
be found talking out loud and express
ing their views in more vigorous Ian
guage. Later on, when their funds