Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1889 — CIVYI-SERVICE REFORM. [ARTICLE]

CIVYI-SERVICE REFORM.

PRESxCENT HARRISON WON’T INTERFERE WITH HOED-OVERS) Providing They Have Keen Good Officers Spoil-Seekers Receive a Rather Cool Reception Perga. is High in Party Circles Alone Have the President’s Ear. [SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.] Washington, D. C., March 13. Considering that the limited passenger tickets issued by the railroads have all expired some days since, the crowd of strangers who still throng the streets of the city is something appalling to President Harrison and others who are to have a hand !n the distribution of the spoils. The manner in which the Chief Executive bore up under the handshak ng ordeal of the public was really admirable, but he has now closed his doors, except on stated occasions, to the sightseers, and is devoting his time to the dispensing of patronage, being at home only to Senators and Representatives and Chairmen of State Central Committees and members of the National Committee, and other statesmen of like rank. Tho first thing to be attended to, however, is a reorganization of the departments in Washington, including the now lifeless Civil-Service Commission. One of the early appointments, in all probability, will be that of Dudley Eoulke, of Indiana, a strong and working Republican, but an earnest civilservice reformer, to be a member of the commission. This will place that bureau in working order, and the third member may bo more leisurely chosen. Still it is well understood that the new administration is going slow in the matter of placefilling. The President has fully determined net to interfere with Democratic officeholders who hold term commissions except in rare cases. Moreover, the prospects now are that the Senate will be held in extraordinary session but a few days longer to confirm nominations lor the chief department places, the Civil Service Commission, a few local and Eedeial vacancies, and one or two diplomatic posts, und that it will then adjourn to come together again, with the House, about the 20th of April. The President has not yet decided upon an extra session of Congress, but a number of the strongest men in the tarty have urged him to call one six or seven weeks hence. That member of his Cabinet on whom the President would be most likely to lean in a matter oE this sort, on account of his experience in public life and familiarity with public questions, has recommended an extra session. Secretary Blaine believes no time should bo lost in perfecting organization of the House, and in proceeding with tariff. Southern election, and other important legislation. In this the Secretary is supported by many prominent men, and the belief is now current, from some remarks the President has let fall, that .he is of the same opinion. The throngs who pack the main corridors of tne State Department day a'ter day are only surpassed by those at the White Hou.ie. When the office-seekers become too numerous and importunate, Secretary Rlaine ha= a clever way of disposing of their demands. He simply has the siahtseers admitted. They crowd tho petitioners out, and when persons of more or less influence are ejected in this gentle manner the politic Secretary experiences no trouble in clearing his room of the sightseers, and is then ready for work. Walker Blaine will be his father’s assistant, and is said to inherit much of that gentleman’s politic ability. The new Cabinet officers are settling down to their duties. Wanamaker, about whom the most doubt was felt by the politicians, made a good impression by his courteous manners, which were combined with a business-like aptitude for the detail work of the department. After looking at several desirable residences, the Postmaster General has finally determined upon Secretary Whitney’s pleasant house, 1731 I street, formerly the residence of the Erelingliuysens, and at one time the residence of Senator Don Cameron. Mr. Wanamaker secured Mr. Whitney’s option to purchase the property. As improved by Mr. Whitney it is valued at SBO,OOO, It is in such good condition that the Wanamakers have' already moved, in. Three members of the old Cabinet, Messrs. Bayard. Yila«, and Dickinson, are going to take a trip to Cuba in the course of a fortnight, They are liabie to be joined by other gentlemen who are now, or will soon be, able to take a vacation without any interference with their business. The President’s policy of pacification and unification has met with several serious obstacles. First, there is the rupture amoug Michigan men over the suggestion by Alger of H. M. Duffield for the position of Solicitor General; and although Palmer, who would have had Uncle Jerry Rusk’s place in the Cabinet had it not been for Stockbridge and the left-handed compliment of General Alger, called upon the President, lunched with him, and came away feeling certain that he would be recognized in a marked way by the new administration. When, therefore, it was announced beyond the peradventure of a doubt that the politcal mangager of Gen. Alger, Palmer’s life-long enemy. Duffield, was to havo the choice morsel awarded the Wolverine State, a party split occurred which even the long personal friendship between Harrison and Palmer is not apt to heal. Still Michigan is nothing like as unhappy as New York, Tho trouble is that the rival politicians from that State are not disposed to meet half way the President’s kindly spirit. After having solved the Cabinet difficulty Gen. Harrison desired above all things to bring both the Platt men and the Millerites into close relationship with his administration. In accordance with this desire he sent for both Piatt and Miller and in a dignified, friendly way made overtures of peaee and good-will, and hinted that it was his wish both should attach themselves to the administration in an official capacity, and, together with the Senators and Representatives from their State, control the vast patronage of New York. Mr. Platt stopped hero on his way to Florida to hold a consultation with the President, upon the latter’s request, and it was for a time believed that tho breach in New York had been mended, and that Platt would take the Collectorship of New York, and that Warner Miller would become Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. This adjustment of affairs was received as the happiest stroke yet made in the President’s policy of conciliation and harmony. Close friends of the administration were delighted with it, because, as they said, it would give both Platt and Miller a fair chance at the patronage, and make New York a Republican State. Unfortunately, like many another good scheme, it didn’t work, and it is now understood that there is not a vacant office in the gift of the Government that Mr. Platt will take. He did want to go iuto the Cabinet, but failing in that he wants nothing; while it is no secret that Mr. Miller has aspired even to the Presidency, and to drop from such an ambition to an Assistant Secretaryship is most too humiliating; but ho may accept tha Prseidnet's offer. Vice President Morton bears his honors with becoming dignity, and his home will shine more resplendent in society than that of any of his predecessors. He is rich and can afford it; besides his wife is a most charming iady. One of her ancestors, Chancellor Livingston, administered the oath of office to George Washington just one hundred years ago. She is the mother of five beautiful children, all girls, ranging between fifteen and seven years of age. A boy, Lewis Parsons Morton, died several vears ago. He would now be eleven il he tad lived.