Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-03-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th. 1S7

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1874.
Editor Chronicle The question o
repeal of the law abolishing the frank.
ing privilege came up this week in the
House of Representatives and was
pretty thoroughly discussed. Mr.
Danford made an able argument in ia.
vOr of repeal; one that ELECTED much
| favorable comment and secured him q
lprolongatiOn of the time to which each
member, under the rule, was restrict.
ed. The measure did not carry, being
defeated by small majority of three
on the final vote, but will undoubtedly
come up again owing to the strong feel
ing among the members that no good
has been accomplished by the law and
deficit is greater than ever before. To
reform abuse by cutting off the entire
system of frankin5 is a reformatory
measure akin to that of Jumping from
the frying pan into the fire." and it is
TO he hoped that restoration may soon
occur accompanied however with such
proper res; ricti0ns rs will guard against
the abuses OF the past. We need an
other one of our hypocritical reform
humbugs abolished and that is the
"CiviI Service Reform" which has
been 90 highly lauded and commended
of late. The departments are being
filed up through the Civil Service
Rules, in SD far as the Heads of the
Departments permit them to apply,
with Il class Of men in no wise equal to
the standard attained under the old
system. l dou5t whether one in fifty
of the legal fraternity in Washington
from Chief Justice Waite down to the
latest admitted brother could pass the
examination requisite under these
rules. IL tie iat,A examinations under
which twenty-tUur ladies became clerks
in the PJstoffice Department twenty
two were professional school teachers
in this city. In other words the only
avenue to appointment is to become a
school teacher here, and talent and
merit of other cities and localities go
for naught.- No matter if the widow
or daughter of the most gallant or
neccssitous s0.Gier or eminent person.
age, clerkship cannot be had unless
qualified by residence and school-teach-
ing here. 1t has become so in regard
to male clerks. The latest fiedgling
from school stands far greater chance
for appointment than man of business
experience AMI that worth attained
only in actual practice of some profess
sion. Ability to name the strait be-
tween Lakes Superior and Huron
avails more to The candidate than life
time Of professional experience; that
system which puts the inexperienced
school5oy before the trained and disci-
plined mind of practical men should be
summarily abolished. 1t is truly po-
litical humbng.
Carl Schurz made one of his finest
efforts against imitation and his logic
AGAINST further increase of currency
prove.l too much for supporters of the
measure for not ono has as yet been
able to refute or answer. Schurz is
undoubtedly the ablest debater in the
Senate; cool and clear-headed always,
and possessed with wonderful powers of
language he becomes formidable op-
ponent in debate, and the late discus
sion on the Dhuudle question Of finance
certainly redoundel to his advantage.
The 22d was observed here on Mon
day with the usual military parade and
review. None efthe departments were
closed.
Minister Schenck is expected next
week. Since we are at peace with the
world and the rest of mankind all is
quiet in diplomatic circles. Scht s
return is induced by personal motives
only. l..