The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-24
WASHINGTON.
Midsummer DuIiness ut the Capital
what Is Doing nj Republican Head

What II Doing NJ kepubllehh heha'
wAs4HrxopOS, D. O., July %.
EdItOrS IntsIlIGeneen
never, in somewhat extended knowl.
edge Of this city, knew it to be SO quiet as
now. There is not ripple, not a stir, Of
excitement, except an occasional burglary,
a fire, or the semi.weekly rape; the latter,
by the way, Is OF such regular occurrence
that it ceases to excite much interest, save
among the parties most intimately con.
cerned. There are no places OF amuse-
ment open here during the summer, ex-
cept the Theatre Comique, variety show,
where beer is peddled, and the "Female
Minstrels," &c, delight an audience OF
eamins and bald heads. 1t is true the
Marine Band-the pride OF Wash
ington plays at the Capital on
Wednesday afternoon, and in the
White House grounds on Saturday alter
moons, but there are so many nurses,
small children, baby carriages and dogs to
fall over and twist around, there Is not
much satisfaction in being present. The
average stay.at.home Washingtonian u.s.
ually at this season OF the year, spends his
evenings at Abner's Beer Garden. where
beer, sausages and most delightful music
are dispensed, or else goes down the river
to Gierboro, Glymont, Marshall Hall, &C.,
on one OF the numerous excursions. II he
goes to the beer garden he gets full; II he
goes down the river he gets full; II he
stays at home he will have the blues
"You pays your money, and takes your
choice"
Gen. Arthur's letter is highly spoken OIL
here by men OF both political parties, al.
though some parties are rude enough Il
hint that the ear-marks OF Senator Conk'
ling are plainly discernible in some OF the
sentences. That portion Of it, relative tC
civil service reform is especially pleasing
to the department clerks. Gen. Arthur
recognizes the fact that clerk receiving q
meager salary, may be a man for all that
and as much entitled TO his political
sentiments, as a Head Of Division, Cabinet
officer or President. He also recognizes
the fact that man may be thorough
classical scholar, learned in all the arts
and sciences, and yet poor clerk, and
that business capacity and special fitness
| for the particular work in hand" should be
preferred rather than mere Education
and abstract tests" What difference
does it make in the matter Of a clerical APP
pointment, IL man can learnedly discourse
on the whole planetary system, and tell
the rise and fall OF each particular star, Il
he cannot add q column Of figures correct.
| " or make out an ineligible report?
am reminded in this connection Of story
illustrative Of the beauties Of Civil Service
Reform, as generally praCticed. A man
made application for the position OF mes
senger in one OF the departments, and was
told that under the Civil Service rules be
must undergo written examination. The
first question asked him was:
"What Is the distance from the earth to
the moon"
His answer was: "What in the hi has
that got to do with cleaning spittoons."
This is a tolerably fair illustration OF the
class Of questions asked and their relev'
ancy TO the fitness OF the candidate for the
position no may be seeking.
The National Republican Committee
have not yet established branch Office in
this city, but understand they will short.
lly,not thatany active work will be planned
| from this point, but in order that the
magnates who gravitate here semi.oCCa-
sionally to look after the interests Of
their constituents in the Departments and
their own interests in other directions
may have O rendezvous to meet and con-
suit and deliberate over the impossibility
OF electing Gen. Hancock, now that they
have nominated him.
The Republican Congressional Execu-
tive Committee has its headquarters here,
and Mr.. Nc Pherson and his corps OF as
sistants are busily Mt work sending out
good Republican seed, thatit may be sown
| in the roxy and sterile soil Of democracy,
and in due time grow and beautify the
earth, crushing out the thorns and thistles
OF eiIete bourbonism, which have too long
numbered the ground and made poor
and unfruitiul its soil. MIR. Mcpherson
is very sanguine Of the results and
confidently predicts Republican
majority in the next House Of Represent
atives. The genial face Of Governor
Young may be seen at the headquarters,
as also that OF Hon. II. F. Page, OF Cali
fornia. Hon. Jay. Hubbell, the managing
Chairman, is absent on visit to his home
in Michigan, but is expected back the first
proximo.
Ex.Judge J. NJ. McWhorter, OF Green
brier, was in the city on Tuesday, OF this
week.
The weather is much cooler, heavy
rain having been falling, almost constant
ly, for the past fifteen hours.
AS soon as l can scare up an interesting
| item, YOU will hear again from