Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-01-04

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 30. 1871.
Although Christmas day has passed. its
effects are still apparent. In the Depart
ments for the past week there has been lit
tie work done BY the rank aud file of the
clerical force. and. doubtless. will not be
until the 3rd of January.
The receptions on New Years day will
not be attended. 1t is thought. with az
much drunkenness as common. A
substitute for wines and liquors. coffee aud
chocolate will genera ly serve.
The Civil Service Commission feels that
1t has completed its mission. and now rests
upon the merits Of its report. There are
some objections raised against IL on ac-
count OF its unparsi-an character. and
many feel truly 1hat ito the victors be-
long the spells" which the bare report a.
II stau,.. ignores. 1t l. true il Is LETT to
the assertion of the President Ia change
or amend the rule governing the appoint
mcnt To Offices: aud TO the several Heads
of the Departments at their will without
giving a reason for doing (now authorized
by law TO dismiss wbomsoeyer they will,
which law still remains in force. should.
for instance. the politics of man appoint
ed 10 a bureau Office be opposed to those
of the Head of that Department. and he
should neglect his duties. or BY meddlinc
with politics, become obnoxious. then he
would be a suitable person for dismissal
There is no longer any doubt "a to the in
depreciation of their report In respect to
the rc-examinstion of the present force.
the Commission claiming that IL has not
been their province TO examine into the
proprie,y of disturbing the present force;
that the matter OF re-examining a civil
officer remains with the Heads of the De-
partment. respectively. The intention of
vent further abuses: TO purify the source
aud let the outlet take care of itself.
From one OF the members of the Com
mission, your correspondent learns thar
the President has all along indicated u
great deal of interest In their efforts and
In hi, message indorsing the report was
intensely in earnest.
Those who think the duties OF the Pres
ident are easy would at once discover their
mistake ii thuy could only remain at the
White House tor one week. The Prc>i-
dents labors have been 80 arduous. hi.
callers 80 numerous aud 80 frequent dur
ing the sixteen days of Congressional pro-
ocedings. that his friends urged him TO
doors against visitors. His wishc, have
been Ia be relieved from receiving visitors
until New Years day. and his wishes have
almost Invariably been made known to cal
ler>. but their card Received and present
ed 10 the President The result 1. that Ia.
time has been wholly occupied.
On New Year. day he viii receive as
usual on that day. An order to that effect
has been issued
DAILY ID received by Neutrality-suspicious..
letters from their friend, in different part.
at the country inquiring T. respect 20 the
rumOr that the small pOX i a. prevalent
In Washington a. la tac cities OF New
/ loT. or Philadelphia. Doubtless on ar-
! coum IL this rln!nr beln. >et ahoat, m1nN
who would otherwise spend Congress ,ional
season here. are influenced 10 remain
away. Upon authority Of the Board Of
Health the truth Of the matter j that ouly
one case has made IT, appearance. aud that
one was Representative wood. hackmau
There has been less eases of tine small
poN here In Washington durin, the last
year than for many years before.
There is much interest excited Ia knu
! what will be- the result OF the Free Trade
movement There are a great many repre-
>entatiyesofFree Trade Leagues here a ID il
I l. expected they will be here ia force ere ten
/ days rolls round. with petitions 10 ConsTc,.
under the guise of free trade reform. Sew
.ra sikh whom the subject has been di,-
cu>s.d. are not 80 hopeful OF the Western
members generally endorsing their move
meni A. they were. and pretend 10 claim
more on the merit, of their cause than SEC
lions, Interests or feeling.