The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-05-21

= demDeI square SOuth OF tne capltOl
park, purchased the Casparis Hotel, O
large three story brick building, and
, now proposes to move it en- masse
without taking it to pieces. The
, feasibility Of moving brick buildings
has been tested in Boston and Chica-
go and hence is not in those places a
novelty. But never has such a speci.
menof yankee enterprise been exbib-
tied south of Mason and Dixon's line.
The old Washingtonians listen to the
J project with an incredulous smile
They will scoree believe it even after
} they have seen its accomplishment.
Mr.. j. II. Dodge, Statistician Of
Agricultural Dept who has been ap-
pointed Special Commissioner to the
Vienna exposition, has been also ap-
pointed by the Treasury Dept. its
special disbursing agent The sole
duty of the latter Office will be draw
ing and expenditure Of $1,000 while
travelling in Europe To qualify him
self for this position Mr.. Dodge has
Just executed bond of $4,000 with
several property holders as security.
These gentleman will be willing,
doubtless, to expend the money afore-
said, provided Mr.. Dodge fails to do
it, Should he, however, fail to get
rid of the funds he will show a re-
markable example of abstemious
virtue, in this credit mobilier genera
tion.
The Bureau Of examination of the
/. Treasury Department at its recent
session examined $50 applicants for
about 50 first class vacant clerkships.
A large proportion Of those who sus-
tanned the examination and passed
above the minimum were ladies. But
several heads Of bureaus in which
vacancies exist refuse to assign these
ladies to positions claiming that they
are incompetent to preform the work
required. 1t appears then that there
are obstacles to appointment for ladies
even after they have passed the fiery
ordeal of examination. This conser-
vatiye prejudice against ladies' on the
part Of old officials of the govern
ment is one of the remarkable feat
ures of the official system here. The
women have vet to fight for equality
of rights in the public service.
The records of the Treasury and
State Departments show that the
trade with Cuba is increasing at
very healthy rate in spite Of the ras-
cally restrictions upon American trade
enforced by the Spanish officials
These restrictions are enforced in con-
sequence of the malignant jealousies
Of the Spanish volunteers, alias
banditti. Our State Dept. is now
conducting a sharp correspondence
with the Spanish Home government.
1t is not impossible that this abuse
may lead to still more active meas
ures and that Cuba and Porto Rico,
the last remnants of the once power
full Spanish colonial establishment in
America may cover under the folds of
the star spangled banner.
The L. S. Supreme Court have
settled an important question in late
decision. When a party assigns a
life insurance policy as security for
debt, the creditor, in case of the death
of the insured party, can collect only
the amount of the debt. 1t was
claimed that the entire amount of the
insurance insured to the creditor, but
the highest judicial authority of the
land has claimed this claim. This
decision will have an important bear
ing in the hypotheeation of life poll
cies for debt.
The President finds strong oppo-
ton TO the Civil Service Reform not
only among Republican Congress
men, bu: also in his own Cabinet. 1t
is said that Secretary Richardson,
has expressed himself ir favor of ap-
pointing clerks and other employees
upon the recommendation of Con-
gressmen, but rigidly assigning to
each state and territory a quota Of
appointees, propOrtionate to its popu-
lation. As it now is, the matter is
virtually in the hands of a ring of
departmental officials. Examinations
have been made the cover of gross
frauds in the rejection of qualified.
and in the admission of unqualified
applicants. The hue and cry in
favor of this so-called reform is based
upon an utter miseOnception Of its
character, and of the imperfect ex-
tent to which it has been realized in
the Department here.
The removal of Mr. De Long our
minister to Japan was caused by his
persistent violation of diplomatic
etiquette. He had made presents
directly to the Mikado, upon his own
responsibility, whereas it should have |
been done through the japanese min
lister. Although rebuked for this
cause by the State Dept. Mr.. De
Long, continued the practice. As to |
the propriety of the rule itself, per-
sons not familiar with diplomacy and |
its requirements are scarcely able to |
decide. But Mr.. De Long was GER
tainly bound to obey the instructions
of the Government he represents.
The law regulating the army, |
allows the employment of one thous-
and Indians, under the name ofl
scouts. 1t is proposed to use this
power by enlisting regiment of red
skins to fight the Modocs The ex-
igencies of ibe case are peculiar, and
it is doubtful whether it is yet fully
understood. Professor HAYDEN of
this city, who has been for several
years prosecuting geological surveys
in the territories, believes the Modoc
stronghold to be practically impregna-
bic The prospect of long and ex-
pensive war is by no means agreeable
to the country, but it is not to be sup
posed that the civilized man viii in
every instance have the advantage of
the savage. On the return of Presi-
dent Grant more definite line of ac-
ton will be determined upon.
The Internal Revenue Office is
steadily pressing the execution of the
claims against the New
York, Central II. II. for internal rev.
enue taxes upon its script dividends.
The collector at Albany recently sold
eight locomotives for 1921 the