New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-01
WHERE "REFORM, IS NEEDED.
SOME MATTERS FOR COMMISSIONER
HERMANN TO LOOK INTO.
MANY INEFFICIENT RELICS OF THE HoKE SMITH
ADMINISTRATION STILL FOUND IN THE
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.

MANY INEFFICIENT RELICS OF THE HUME Shii II
ADMINISTRATION STILL FOUND IN THE
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. April S0.-Just at this transition
period of the different executive departments of the
Government there IL much restlessness on the part
OF some Republican clerks and ex-clerks. No other
bureau perhaps is more seriously affected thereby
than the General Land Office BY reason of a warm
personal contention among the applicants for the
chief clcrkship that place is still held by Demo-
Graf whose attaches are also relics of Hoke
Smiths Administration. This state OF things rem
ders 1t peculiarly embarrassing 10 some of the Re
publicans with grievances. especially those VINO
were vctimized by removal reduction for po-
ltical reasons Certain of these men complain that
they arc Handicapped in securing an audience with
the new Commissioner. because the Democratic
doorkeepers claim to have instructions to deny ad-
mittance unless the Commissioner invites an audi
ence.
Again. they make protest because thus far some
of the Democratic chiefs of divisions have merely
suffered reduction to cierkships instead OF entire
amputation from the service For, say these
protcstants. these chiefs belonged to that
coterie which. in 1885, selected sixty-eight clerks
for dismissal and of others for reduction,
nearly all of whom were Republicans
While II is unnatural. perhaps. that I'M
patience and discomfort should be engendered among
many of those who were so harShIy ana uflJuStly
dealt with by the last Administration. II is only
just to say that much time is necessarily required
for a thorough investigation of the numerous COM
plants fled with Commissioner Hermann. 1t Is
apparent that that official will, after due examina-
ton. uncover not only the conspirators VINO nxed
I'D the deadly back list of 1898. but will also become
personally familiar with the glaring neffc!ency OF
many of the Hoke Smith division chiefs and clerks
who have been inflicted upon the Government. For
how he fai n
of ncapacity and mbecili,y who for convenience
sake, may be called McCorkhead-the champion
mental featherweght Of the office? For the last
four years this chiefs busy days" have consisted
OF reading newspapers. removing "superfuous
hairs from his face and assuming the gravity of
a Dephic oracle Such has been McCorkhead's
daily toll. his official duties having been performed
by assistants. 1t seems only reasonable to expect,
practicable microscopicaly size up this official
,fakir, who now occupies the unique position Of
brainpan without FUNCTION
The p-othe- fence official is another interesting
type Perhaps the most conspicuous exemplar of
this class has been nicknamed Whit the Hugger.'
We has Back aHd
with each succeeding chief CLERK No matter what
mas IN Rs lists
tons and dismissals. because he knew the clerks
Se vetms Of the Moke smith and
ing them. soto voce. with the hope Of reward -.
aided a former Assistant Commissioner and chief
clerk in dismssing and reducing Republicans
calmly wears his can't-prove.it- lynne demeanor.
as he builds the prospect Of being cared for, as
usual, because of his kinshp to his father As his
name suggests. he is q big Ash in the pond. but It
would not be at all surprising If this scaly speci-
men were eventually landed by the Commissioners.
A third representative of the same class is the
Erin go-bragh chief conspicuous for his three-card.
monte brand of politics and the public parade of
his after-takng patent medicine photograph. Still
another specimen is the assistant CHIEF whose
brilliant scheme of having his clerks desks "in
touch with his own by a system Of individual
put a profane but effective quetus on the tntin-
nabulator and his curfew outfit.