The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-14

common seed.' the Department of A
griculture had been turned into an
immense free station for the distrlbu-
ton of all sorts of seed. On the f1rst
of October last. Secretary Morton a
polished the seed division, discharged
the men employed therein, and put the
government out of the seed dlstrlou-
ton business.
Secretary Morton told me yesterday
that he had the check for $500 which
one of the wealthiest Republicans In
Congress received for the sale OF his
quota of seed. The Congressman in
question is begging the Secretary not
to print his name; the other Congress
men. who have not sold or tratficed IN
their seed, are begging the Secretary
to publish the name of the man so as
to free them from suspicion. 1t is
expected that there will be some tall
fun if the Republican Congress mon
KEYS" with Mr.. Morton. He loves
fight and is q fighter from way back.
And the fellow who sold his seed for
s75 is trembling in his boots
No man in public life here has in
augurated more healthy reforms than
Public Printer Benedict. He has saw
ed more than 100000 in one year and
tlfrned out more work than III the year
previous. He has applied business
methods to every department of his
great work shop; put stop to the re-
ward of political strikers over the heads
of competent mechanics; discharged
more than thousand unnecessary
and incompetent hangers-on, and with
,tt tNp
brought about system of economy
that is refreshing. The old days OF TAT
pickings in paper, ink and type con
tracts; shiftless and lazy workInen;
dumping of political fayorites who
didn't know enough to be appointed
i'm any other department; of whole
sale waste and eNtravagance-thes
things have passed away. No printer
can come to know the methods pur-
sued by Mr. Benedict without high APP
probation of his executive ability and
his excellent merit system that finds
favor in the eyes of efficient and pro-
gressive mechanics in and out of the
office.
There is executive ability, clean
methods, economy without stinginess
and reforms in other directions that
might be particularized here but this
letter would be too long. There is
need of further retrenchment along
many lines. but the most eXtrayagant
piece OF machinery here is Congress it
self. In the Senate it takes whole
retinue of clerks and door-keeper, and
Iaborers to wait on the Senators. and
the extravaganza and luxuries increase
wear by wear In the House it is not
so bad. but the tendency is to larger eX-
penditures for the legislative branch
of government. The average Congress-
ional reformer begins 10 ''whack" ut
the departments. some of which need
''whachipg," but reforms, like charity
ought to begin at home. The average
Congressman, especially 'reformers.
denonnee funkeys and extravaganza
until they get in. Then they can't get
enough. Most Of the North Carolina
Congressman made themselves hoarSe
denouncing the practice of the Treas
ury paying for a private secretary for
each member. But all except Shuford
appointed one almost before they had
got warm in their seat. Shuford is at
least consistent. 1t pays TO give pri-
vate secretary to working men who
know how TO use them. But Shuford
is right in saying that he and such
Congressman as he have no need for
one.
1t is a real pleasure for q North Car
Gilman TO run into Washington for a
day or two. The political cyclone that
swept able and trained North Caro-
linians out Of Congress could not, hap
PLY, reach the large number of Tar
Heels here in office. In every depart
mnt they stand well with their supe-
riors, and / heard more than one off
cial speak in high praise of some OF
them
The promotion of Mr.. Waiter L. Far
son as Solicitor of the State De-
partment gives 10 North Carolina
one of the most important places in
that department. Mr.. Faison is an
able and well-trained lawyer, and none
other could fill the position. He enter
ed the State Department as a $1,000
law clerk and his successive promo
tions have come from a recognition of
his sturdy qualities, untiring industry
and great ability. Mr.. Oiney had
never seen or heard Of Mr.. Faison when
he became Secretary of State, but
when he entered that Office he found
that Mr. Faison's standing was such
that it pervaded the whole depart
ment. lie didn't want a politician,
but an unpretentious lawyer on whose
opinion he could rely. And he found
that Mr. Faison filled the bill.
Z Y II
You cannot stay in Washington half
an hour without finding that the fight
between Reed and Mckinley touches
everything at the capital. Old Mr..
Morrill, would not have desired the
Craftsmanship Of the Finance Com
mittee. but the Reed contingent forced
him to demand it to prevent it from
going TO Sherman, who is McKinley's
chief supporter. But for that fact,
Sherman, by the grace of the Popu-
lists, would now be chairman of the
Finance Committee. AS it is, he sue
ceeds Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, as
chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee. 1t is one of the specta-
cles Populism invites us to contem-
plate: Morgan. the ablest man in the