The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-28
MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENT
CLERKs.

lions IN Regard 90 tho civil Scr.
vice-Reforms Needed.
Quite number Of Department clerks met
last evening ct Columbia Law College
building 10 discuss matters Of interest re-
lating to Government employees In wash
ington, and To agitate the introduction OF
such measures as would place the clerks
generally on better footing.
Mr.. ]. Fred. Myers, Of the Treasury De-
made . few remarks setting forth the object
LIST. he believed 1t necessary for the Ell.
cheney Of tho civil service that Increased
compensation DO paid 10 the non-commis-
stoned offlcePs (clerks) upon whom deyolyes
so much Of Governmental responsibility.
He compared the salaries paid to custom
house Officers In New York city with those
paid TO the officers Of tho Treasury Depart
ment, which comparison showed that SINH
lar officers were paid 80 to 10 per cent. more
In New York than here.
Cd. He desired greater permanency OF tho
civil service. He claimed that permanoncy In
the tenure Of Office Is Of greater Importance
to the clerks than increased compensation.
He advocated the giving OF a temporary COM
mission to new clerks, revokable within six
months, and II they are found worthy per-
manent commission for say five years. This
commission Ia only 10 be forfeited by mis-
conduct. A tribunal is to be appointed by
each Department, before which the accused
Is allowed TO make his defence. Give perma-
entire power and intellectual activity Of the
clerks; you will call forth their zeal and
manhood, and make them respected by the
entire community.
Sd. As To the means. He said he had full
confidence In the good will and integrity of
the heads Of bureaus and the heads OF the
Departments.
He wanted q committee appointed to
memorabilia these officers to embody the
wishes Of the civil service In their annual
reports. But II they should ignore their
represent their wishes TO Congress upon
their own responsibility. Ho stated that he
had conferred with several heads Of bureaus
upon the subject, all Of whom had approved
OF his general plan.
On motion Of Mr.. Meyers, Mr.. NJ. l.. Hlg-
gins, Treasury Department, was called to
the chair; W. J. Cowing, Agricultural Dc.
partment, was appointed secretary.
Mr.. Meyers moved that committee be
relating TO increased compensation and re-
forms In tho civil service.
Col. Scott, Interior Department, said that
he was one Of those gentlemen called Gov.
eminent clerks. There was a great deal
that could DO accomplished II proper efforts
were made. He wanted some provision
made especially for clerks who were dis
abled and sick. II was very humillatlng to
hear the expression used when clerk died,
that he was nothing but q poor clerk.
Mr.. P. II. Reinhard, Treasury Depart
ment, was in favor OF the appointment Of
the committee, but did not wish the commit
tee selected merely from those present at the
meeting. They should be selected from the
different Departments, and each Department
ought to be represented.
Mr.. ]. Fred. Meyers thought that good
and efficient men ought TO be appointed, and
It did not matter much what Department
they hailed from. What they wanted was q
committee of gentlemen who were thoroughly
competent to grasp the question. But he had
no particular objection to select the members
of the committee from the different Depart
ments.
After further discussion, tho question was
put and carried.
Mr.. J. Fred. Meyers moved that names Of
gentlemen be handed In to tho chairman to
aid him In the selection Of the committee.
It was decided that the committee consist
of fifteen members.
Tho motion Of Mr.. Meyers was agreed to-
Colonel Scott moved that the matter OF
suggesting names for the committee be held
open for several days.
the cooperation Of the heads OF bureaus In
reform measures he believed that Congress
would legislate In favor Of their suggestions.
Mr.. Reinhard moved that the proceedings
of this meeting be Published In full In the
Civil Service Journal. Agreed to.
On motion, the committee TO be appointed
was authorized to call the meetings of the
clerks.
The meeting thOn adjourned.
..TnB TOURNAMENT AT AsALosTAs. The
tournament yesterday was q success. The
weather was delightful, and the knights
were inspired by large company Of faire
ladyes" from Georgetown, Washington and
the District.
The following knights entered the lists:
Knight Of Arlington, p. Mclaughlin knight
of Georgetown Heights, A. p. Homiller;
knight Of the Lone Star, j. Councilmani
Knight Of September, A. Carlin; Knight Of
the Fair Sex, Fl. Jones; Knight Of No Chance,
P.W. Fields; Knight Of Lawn, G. IL. Powelli
knight of Washington, A. seitz; Knight OF
Stonewall, r. 8. Councilman; Knight OF
Prince George, W. L. Edlin; Knight Of Fair
fax, G. Tcrrctt; Knight OF Analostan, r.
Newman; Knight Of Fairfax, Horace Bailey.
Previous to tho riding neat and appro-
| pirate address was made by 7. g. Wheeler,
esq, who had boon chosen Judge.
The riding commenced at O'Clock, and
the fitting was carried on with much spirit.
The ring was taken twice by the Knights Of
Analostan and September, and once each
by the Knights OF Georgetown Heights,
Lawn, Lone Star and Prince George.
In the riding of the knight OF Analostan
won the first prize, the selection OF the queen
Of love and beauty and beautiful Saddle,
the choice of the first maid Of honor and the
bride falling to his competitor. The Knights
Of Lawn and Prince George won the choice
of the second and third maids Of honor.
Tho victorious knights made the following
| selections
Cleveland, of Georgetown.
First maid OF honor, Miss Julia lIomlller.
Second maid Of honor, Miss Layinia
Adams, of Washington.
Third maid Of honor, Miss Alice Thorn,
| of Georgetown.
Mr.. Wheeler, when tho party had assem-
bled In the pavilion, proceeded to crown the
queen, which ceremony was prefaced by a
very happy little speech. This ceremony
performed the four victorious knights with
their ladies led of with the "Quecn Lancers."
The pavilion was then thrown open to tho
general company, and tho festivities were
kept up until the "weo small hours" The
music was furnished by the Metropolitan
band Of Georgetown, and Messrs. Rodler and
THICKER did all In their power to make the
occasion, as 1t was, a pleasant and agreeable
affair.
ALLEGED GRAND LARcEsY.-On the Esd
inst, Mrs. Moses Solomon, who keeps n
furniture store on Seventh street, Island,
carelessly laid upon the counter In her store
purse containing Sl77. In the rear Of the
store, In tho same building, Albert Smith
and his wife resided. Mrs. Solomon, after
leaving the money upon tho counter, was
called up stairs, and upon her return the
money was gone. Mrs. Smith being In the
habit Of going through the store on all occa.
sions, suspicion was directed to her, and yes
terday Detectives Thompson and McDeytt
arrested Mr.. and Mrs. Smith on suspicion OF
the larceny, and took them to police head
quarters, where a preliminary examination
was held before Justice Walter; but owing 10
absence Of witnesses, the case was continued
until this afternoon.
NAVY YARD MArTERs.-Twenty addi'
tlonal workmen were yesterday employed at
the navy yard In tho construction depart
ment. All the new employees thus taken on
were honorably discharged soldiers or
| aaiIora Tha Tollapn arrival nj half.