Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-31
SOCIETY NOTES.

The wife Of leading member OF Congress
says she wishes people would stop marking
personal" and Private on the envelopes OF
letters they address to her husband, as it would
prevent her wasting much time, because she
always wants TO and does open those SO
marked, and half the titae finds she has taken
the trouble for nothing, as the letters have
nothing In them which might not be made
public.
Thele are some people who come to Washing
ton who are SO iIDbued with the idea that all
the Ills that flesh is heir 10 here can be safely
attributed TO malaria. and chat quinine is rad
Teal cure, that they actu9liy carry five grain
Qutnine pills by The Dozen around In their
pockets. The prevalence OF the superstition
vas aptIy Illustrated at a dinner party given
during the last winter, when quiniGe pills were
actually one OF the courses. one OF the guests
happened TO take out q box from his pocket to
swallow one ard handed 1t TO his next neigh
bor, who took one and passed the box around
until every person at the table had had dose.
The literary and musical reunion at the resi-
Gence OF Mrs. Lincoln, els II street, or Tuesday
evening was largely attended, and proved to be
mcst enjoy able success In every way. Nearly
hundred guests were present many OF them
being ladies. who added their bright conversa-
ton, beautiful faces and elegant toilets 10 the
! musical and literary exercises OF the evening,
thus making Il most memorable one. InatrG-
mental music was contributed by Miss Lucy
Murphy. Miss MADEIRA. OF Virginia. Mrs. DENT
son and Mrs. Eaton: songs by the Misses Ciuss,
Mr.. E. G. Whipple. Mrs. r. j. Phillips and Mr..
Springer: end readings ana recitations By Miss
Florence sullivan, Mr., j. L. McCreery, Mrs.
Charles. Miss Eva Henderson, aud Mrs Lord.
The Round Table Shakespeare CIub met at
the residence OF Rev. and Mrs. c. ". Dennison
on Q street last evening,-NfSs SaXton, who is
note d for her fne elocutionary powers, taking
the leading part In the readings The Eight
HAND Club-Mrs. Maliery, Mis-. Pearson, Mrs.
Dutton and Miss Ida Miler-nad their last
meeting for the present season at Col. Garrlck
Nallery g residence Oh Tuesday. A few Invited
guests were present TO enjoy their choice
music.
Attorney General Macveagh's wife arrived
here yesterday, but has again returned TO
Philadelphia to make further preparations for
removing here. They VIII probably take Pos
week, as Mrs MacNeagh VII return on Monday.
Mrs. Chas. H.CaldW el of Philadelphia, who
is ore OF the foremost workers in the cause OF
days at the Riggs House with her son. She was
here last spring with the members OF the Fdir-
mount Park Art Association. She is pleasantly
Nenan's Pavilion at tie Centennial--Mlss
Ida. daughter OF Justice Miller, viii Leave with
her sister, Mrs. Stocking. for s.. Louis, next
Monday. After visiting friends tnGre they will
extend their Trip further west
The Discharge at the GGverum,esst
Printing Office.
THE REASON FOR IT.
As there has been much comment upon the
recent discharge OF employs at the Goyern-
STAR called upon Mr. john d. 0efree5. the PUB
| lie Printer, to obtain some explanation Of 1t.
| That gentleman Was found at his desk In the
big bulCtng, Il and North Capitol streets. and
| 10 inquiries responded III substance as follows:
The Government Printing Office Is a work
| shop, end must be managed as other workshops
! are managed. When there is work to do, and
| money 70 pay for il. perS0hS are employed 70
| do II; but when there Is Lot, they must be
| discharged. AT the commencement OF tbelast
| session OF Congress he tMr. DeireeSl placed
| facts and figures before the House committee
| Oh appropriations, showing the absolute neceS-
sity Tor an additional appropriation OF s60O, 900
| To carry the Office 10 the 1St OF July-tOe com
mencement OF the next fiscal year-becduSe OF
| the excessive amount OF printing ordered
| by Congress. Only 100000 was appropriated.
or course fhe.force OF the Office must be so
| reduced IS 60 come within the appropriation as
| made. The law prescTipes ii to be the duty OF
| the public printer to employ nc workmen not
| thoroughly skilled il their respective branches
| OF industry, as shown by trial OF their skill
under his direction. In making the late reduc-
ton OF force, after consulting Major Davis, the
| foreman CT printing, Mr.. Defrees concluded
| that the fairest way Of making it-and as the
| same time to comply with he law-wonId be
! TO take the monthly record OF the compositors,
| and let those sc who had failed fartheSt TO
make the required daily average IN labor,
| which was done. hr. DefreeS was informed
that some OF the men discharged had made
| complaints to members OF Congress and others
THAT two.thirds Of the persons employed are
democrats" to which he replied emphatically
|
| portant positions Ia the Office being
| held by known republicans. Probably
| tIree-f -fourths OF the employees, he states, are
! republicans. There are, however, democratic
| employes-a good many OF whom we're en-
| ployed at the solicitation OF republican men,
| bers OF Congress. Last falI," said Mr. D.,
! several democrats so employed made them
| selves SO obnoxious by vulgar abuse OF Mr..
/ Garfield that / directed their summary dis
! mtsSal. The great majority OF democrats en-
! ployed here are first class workmen, quiet, in
| dustrous. and attentive to their WORK, which
| they are paid to do. and this great government
| controlled by the republican party is not mean
! enough to proscribe mechanics and laborers.
| toiiiDg for their daily bread merely because
| they 90 not think right on measures OF public
| policy Mr.. Defrees states that there Will De
no discharges ia the biDdery because the
! printed matter ready for the bindery is SO great
| that there is not storage room for il, and it
| must be got out CT the way.
For the Dey yeIOpmeHt OF Mexico.
| OVER $50 LOCOMOTIVES ORDERED N P5GLA-
1