The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-09

B. 8. s. . / s. s . d . s !, I. .s. IL +
dicrs have been restored, and the weed
ing process still continues. Calm and
thoughtful, the New Work merchant has
proved a patient listener, but he seems
sadly out of place i'll the Department of
the Interior. The crowd Of applicants,
however has been very importunatc.
and he has been compelled to close his
doors ut 2 p. m.
CUTTING OFF p. MIS-.
Across the street Postmaster General
Gary is enthroncd. He is the only cabi-
net officer with four assistants, and he
needs thcnt,all. This IS the busiest OF
all the departments. Postmastcrs
throughout The country Of every grade
arc being changed. quietly and cxpcdi-
tiously, allsunder the operation Of all
order made during Mr.. Clevelund's first
administration. It gives each p0stmas-
ter Il four years term. from the lowest
to the highest. The ante-room of the
Postmaster General is filed with Con
gressmen from tho rural districts. all
of course intensely Interested in the sue
cess of the administra ton. In an ad-
joining room will be found their clerks
copying the list Of poStmaSterS in each
district, paying special attention to tho
date of their present appointments. The
Congressman thus learns when the term
OF Office Of each postmaster in his dis
trict expires, and is in shape for u flu
ture campaign.
Last OF all, but not the least in import.
ance. is the Department Of Agriculture
Here sits bluff and hearty James Wilson
OF Iowa. lie contrasts strongly with
his predecessor. Wilson would never ac-
cept al office and say that he believed
that 1t was unconstituticnally created
Office seekers give him little annoyance
Book sewers and seed packers arc Of
the past and not Of the present. All
seeds are now packed and shipped by
contractors. Mr.. Wilson has begun his
work in systematic and vigorous way
He is earnest in his endcavor to devotion
the beet sugar industry and is turning
MS thoughts toward the prevention Of
hog cholera. During his entire public
life he has managed and directed his
own farmland has u practical knowledge
OF all the farmers needs and necess;-
lies. He believes in the distribution OF
seeds. and will gladly further the efforts
OF Congress in this direction, instead of
hampering them, as did Secretary Nor
ton. Every seed that is distributed I'M
der his direction Will be seed worth
planting and outstanding. The old SOL
diers are being gathered under his wing
and rapidly restored to their former po-
sitionS.
The departments arc the little eddies
III which office seekers congregate. The
great flood pnurs toward the White
House. The Eruption has been sim
ply appalling. The President is the
acme Of kindness and urbanity. His
bearing is always polite, and no on.>
leaves him without feeling. that he has
been treated fairly and consi3era ely
Consressmen and Senators are here in
great abundance. They are the inter
mediaries through whom offices are
sought and to whom the President lis
tens. If the horde OF office seekers
themselves were admitted. the President
would simply be swept from his feet and
unable TO do any business whatever.
CONGRESSMAN'S ROUNDS.
The round of the departments is a
weary round for the Congressman. II
is made all the more weary by the wall
Of civil service reform. One Of the most
prominent Of New York Republicans
says that he does not really obtain per
cent. Of the appointments sought nv
him: This average undoubtedly holds
good, except i'll extreme cases. But
there is no end to the tide Of applicants.
They pour into the city with every train,
their faces alight with fond anticipa-
tons. The same train bears back scores
OF men with tlowncast features-the
army OF the disappointed.
Thus it is that spring opens in Wash
lngton. nature and politics keeping pa ce
IN excitement and animation. Over all
stands the robust, If not majestic, figure
of Thomas b. Reed, resting it's hand up
on the gavel Of the House. He treads
the pathway Of destiny unrutiled by the
murmurs OF his political opponents and
deaf to the plaintive wailingS Of the few
partisans who disagree with him. lie
vii! appoint the committees of the
House at his own time and pleasure.
When they are appointed and legislation
resumes the usual channels, Washing
ton will arise reinvigorated, and the old
times may come again.