Tolland County press., 1883-03-01
Washington Letter.

Washington, D., C., March, 2s, 1888.
 The bleak east winds that have prevail ed for the past few days, and are even now ushering ill the easter season have had no benumbing influence upon feminine in- terest in new bonnets. These exquisite trihes must be displayed at church on Sunday even if snow flakes do mingle with the roses, daisies, and apple blossoms. Forty days of fasting, penance, and re- nunciation of the vanities of the world IS Q long time. So, to this end, the different millinery establishments of the city have been thronged on their ~"opening days" this week with these eager purchasers, and all who understand these matters know what height woman's enthusiasm can attain in purchasing a new bonnet. The shop windows display the most tempt ing arrays of all manner of beautiful spring novelties, and the ladies in their never wearying examination of them are the busiest half of the population.
 The epidemic throughout the depart now is the civil service reform fever. It IS the chief topic of conversation, and many requests have been made sinceacon- gress adjourned for leaves of absence for six and eight months without pay, the = object being to avoid civil service exami-
 
 public service again. ..r s--.....
 There are still forty-six congressman and ex-congressmen-rema in the city, whose chief occupation would seem to be seeking favors from the heads of depart ments. Although a law has been enacted regulating civil service appointments in the government departments, and civil service commission has been designated by the president, the demand for feperal patronage according to political influence IS almost as great now as i6 ever was. Some congressman who denounced most strongly the system of appointing persons to office without regard to their qualifiea- tions can be seen to day in the depart ments begging to have places made for their constituents. It is a noticeable fact that those who have been relegated to private life stand but poor chance of having any attention given to their re- qnests. The head of the department summons his appointment clerk, and the two officials exchange glances which each understands to mean that as the endorser has but little influence he is not to be fa- vored. He is told that no vacancy exists at the time, but is promised the very next appointment provided his applicant can pass the required examination (fer in such cases they adhere strictly to civil service principles). He is directed to present his candidate at certain time. The latter has an ordinary education, and is capable of performing the work to which he would be assigned, but he is subjected to an un- usually rigid examination, and as it was previously understood he should not pass, he is reported deficient, and his congress- man so informed. Those congressman who have the influence are working very lndustriously at the present time, for they do not know what to expect when the civil service commission is fully under way.
 The post office department is to have a room set apart as museum for the ae- cumulated curiosities of the dead letter office that have come from every clime and country. The dead letter office has a national reputation, and many persons visit 1t daily. The clerks have. been com- pelled to waste so much time in showing the visitors through the office, and in ex- blaming to them the objects of interest, that 1t has been found necessary to con- struct museum at the entrance of the of- flee, where these curiosities will be exhib- ited in glass cases. An elderly lady will be placed in charge of the room, and no admittance to the eface will be allowed to visitors in the future. Among the collee- tlOn of odd things to be seen here is hu- man ear, wedding ring, and snake which was alive when it arrived at the of- flee, and upon the package being opened jumped out and frightened the clerks by running over the floor.
 One of the city papers with predilee- tion for searching and exposing corruption in high places, has declared it's intention of publishing, a list of the nepotic office holders. No one will escape, and space for three generations in some families will have to be allowed. The list is to be completed some time in April, and, since every one of them will get hit, promises to he very interesting reading.
 Ex-President Diaz of Mexico and party fourteen persons in alp are expected to arrive here next Monday. Rooms have been engaged for them at the Arlington Hotel. s
 THE Connecticut Farmer has made re-