Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-01-26
Correspondence.
Our Washington Letter.

Cird Serrics Ref1rm-Sspaior Conkling's
SPscct-Td Ca'aca-y AUCTION, SC.
WAsmsGIoS, Jsn- 10. 1872.
Editor Ere. Press s Times
Civil service reform has held its own IS topic
of fe5ayersatiln he pas; week. in spite of such
diversions IS the Wharton trisL the Jim Fisk
murder. the Womsr's Suffrage Convention, the
singing Of Wschtei a1j Mrs Moulton, and the
wonderful performances Of Blind Tom on the
p.sn5. So large proportion Of the population
Of this city gain livelihood by serving Uncle
S'm, that any question affecting. even remote
iy. thai- teag-c of ofi,e, ia certain to receive
promp, ard undivided attention. There seems
tc be great deal Of m.slnderstaniiug through
ca- the country in regard to the details Of the
contemplated rei5rm. Many persons suppose
t1zt whenever vacancy occurs the fact will be
Advertised, AMI applicants for that particular
place, examined. A rres. deal Of unfsvoraole
coamcat on this scheme zrises from the error
e0us impression that vacancies occurring in the
departments a. Washington, VIII Re likely to be
fleI from the District Of Columbia, or its in
meiiatc vicinity. ami bll intended 10 guard
agsiust spca result, has already been intro
iuccl IN tle House The advisory Boer5 have,
however. f,resssn tais difsulty and taken
measures TO secure mere equal distribution Of
appointments 80 Washington positions, than Was
ob,-'red under tie Oh plsa. a little more
time vo1l have been Invaluable, but the
Pfe.i lent vas determined to inaugura,e the new
year with this reform. Ulu the si5ptioa Of
the sdditiousI rue pro7iiing ;hSt vacancies
might be filed, temporarily, upon the old plan,
it seemed as though verifying would come to
sJsndstiL Heads Of departments were ss much
in the fog as other people, and the beet
friends Of tie measure began to fear it would
Prove a failure before getting fairly started.
Il seams, however. 20 be gaining strength
daily and the members Os ;he board are indus
triously At Jrk trying to sdjust 1t 10 meet new
obstacles and objections 90 soon developed. An
ingenious plan Tor reducing the number Of those
nov employed, as well as raising the standard OF
department, has been S3op;ed by the chief clerk
Of oue Of the departments here. lie proposes to
reduce any clerk who is guilty Of getting drunk,
one crsdc for each Ciieasc, snd when he gets TO
the bottom. turn him sir;sf. Il will be seen
tha; those who happen to be 20 or near the bot
,om. have noi much leeTsy. IN example has 81
reSiy been inside in one case, and those whose
tlste Tor chemistry h.s heretofore led them to
frequently miaele alcohol ani gastri juice,
don't ike the new system.
What world Of Importantly members Of Con
cress viii escape wien It comes 10 be known that
their recommendations are No longer patent
al 81 .I-,r
feH viii te 10th % reliuqgish the p0Eer by which
they we're wont to gain sIi retain their popular
ity The Democrats have been making such hue
and CRY for reform that they cannot with good
grace decry the movement, and, s. they have fed
on husks many years, content themselves
with the thought that an occasional number Of
tine party sill pass examination, it being su IN
deniab.e fact thst some Of them can read and
write
Mr.. Conklng's speech in opposition to the
one term amendment 10 the constitution, recently
proposed by Nir sumner. filed the Seuate ga
.sries, on THURSDAY LAST. with large audience.
I, sho1ndel 70 good points and was delivered in
bic ususl polished snJ forcbe Style, eliciting
the congratulations ct many Of his BROTHER
Senators.
TO-DAY the Etllsiisr were packed to their ut
aiost capacity ay zcil-ifessei c0lored people TO
hear Nr. summers speech n support o. the
civil ngh;s bill
No, the least smcng the attractions and diver
sious oi The past week Was the auction sale, on
Friday Il the household effects Of Mr.. CStscezy.
ls,e RusEisu minister. The catalogue presented
a most tempting list Of rare and expensive ar
ticles. nearly all Of which we're brought by him
from Europe or recently added in order to pre-
pare the apartment for the Grand Duke Alexis.
The house was open for inspection the preceding
day, ard it Is safe 20 say ;hA; Madame Caecazy
never vas honoIed With 50 crowded reception.
Il is said that the effects sold st prices averaging
fully fifty per cent sbove their original cost
Purchasers we're Wild in their bids for any sr-
ticle the Grsni Duke hal touched
The retirement Of Mr Charles A Tinker from
The position os local superintendent Of the West
ern Union Telegraph; part he has filed 10 the
satisfaction Of both the company and the public.
f1r segeral years. VS. made the occasion Of pre-
gentiar him with handsome silver table ser
vice. consisting Of eleven pieces. The employees
OF the company, some forty in number. Assem-
blei az his Louse on Wednesday evening snd
made tie presentation. and expressed the regre;
wi-h which they viewed bis departure. The tele-
rraph company lose 4 valuable manager, but
what is their less wil be the gsu Of the Vt. Cen
tral Railroad company into whose employ he
goes 81 train despstcher, with headquarters at
S. Adams. his nstive place. He will carry with
hun The bes, wishes OF a host Of friends.