Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-01-04
DISCUSSING THE DEED.
The Civil Service Bill in the House, but Liable TO
be amended to Death--Teeamseh Says No
with a Big, Big NJ.
IT'S FINAL FATE.

Obti ~ DhiaA Aiet2 ~ AtA 1Ai& A Vi III
House, and its final fate is quite as much
enshrouded in doubt as ever. Should
the bill pass the House it will only be
after a prolonged delay and with such a
load of amendments that another de-
bate must ensue in the Senate. In the
judgment of long-headed members of
both houses the measure does not stand
a very good chance to become a law
during this Congress. And there is
some doubt as to its value or practical
effect even if it did, Not a little amuse-
ment has been created by some of our
former civil service examinations.
When the rules and form of examine
ton of candidates for Office as recon-
mended by the commission appointed
during the Presidency of General Grant
were under discussion in the Senate
some years since
II LATE SENATOR CARPENTER,
one of the most brilliant and erudite
members of that body, admitted that he
would be unable to pass such an exam
nation as prescribed by the commission.
1t was perhaps for the reason that the
members of the commission were more
theoretical than practical that its labors
were ridiculed and came to naught.
The bill which has just passed provides
that competitive examinations shall be
practical in their character, but to Sc
cure this, it will be necessary for the
President to appoint as members of the
commission practical business men and
not enthusiasts or utopians. During
the last hour of the present discussion,
while Senators were weary and worn,
Senator Beck made a little passage too
good to be lost. Senator German, of
Maryland, was in the chair, and at the
time
II VENERABLE CAPTAIN BAssETT,
assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Senate,
and who for q score of years was cap
t~ain-general of the Senate pages, was
leaning over to receive some instructions
as presiding officer. Senator Beck was
hungry and thirsty, and wanted Senator
Voorhees, to go down to the restaurant
with him for refreshments. The Indi-
ana Senator was a little tardy in re-
spending, when Nh. Beck said, .'Oh,
come on Voorhees,; never mind this civil
service reform talk, il is all humbug;
what do we want of it? We have good
enough civil service reform now. Look
at German sitting in that chair, presid-
ing over the Senate, and he used to be
q page running around this floor. And
look at old Bassett, bowling and scraping |
to him, when he used to lead him around
by the ear. Amt that civil service re-
form enough? Come on now" Mr..
Beck's argument was convincing, and
Voorhees, yielded without a word.
Attorney General Brewster added new
lustre TO his laurels by his recent speech
before the Supreme Court in reply to
Ex- Senator Conkling. Both were
MAoiEhLl EcfOhiS. |
but Mr.. Brewster had the best of the le-
gal argument, and acquitted himself
like IN old-time iurist and orator.
There is no doubt that Mr.. Brewster is |
n Of the ablest lawyers in the country, |
and his personal idiosyncracies do not
detract from his influence at the bar.
In society he has always been talked
about and always will be. In fact /
might as well say that he intends to be.
1t is Il part of his theory of human con-
duct that a man who is conspicuous for
his abilities should also be conspicuous
in his dress, demeanor and personal be-
longings. He thinks there should never
be a mistake us to the identity of Benja-
min Harris Brewster. / am bound TO
say that he has been tolerably success
full thus far in his efforts to keep himself
distinct from other men. No young
man ever accosts him on the street as
Mr.. Jones, from Jonesyille, or inquiries
after his health and the health of the
little Jones ut home. Nor does any
body mix up
HIS BIG YELLOW COACH
with the carriage in which his neighbor
is driven over the smooth pavements of
the Capitol. In speaking of Mr.. Brews-
ter, | am reminded of his beautiful office
in the Department of Justice and the
criticisms hat have been made on it.
Well, Mr.. Brewster has velvet curtains
and Turkish rugs, and mirrors, and an
ebony table and candlestick, and beau
tiful furniture and charming piece of
bronze statuary-uenry of Navarro
when a boy-the prettiest thing in the
world. The genial Attorney General is
known ut home, among other good
things, for his luxurious surroundings.
AT home he makes four times the sum
OF a cabinet officers salary, and surely
there is no good reason that the govern
ment should not furnish him with an Of
flee half as comfortable and luxurious
as his own. The Attorney General has
begun housekeeping here in handsome
style. He occupies the large and at
t~ractive house once owned and occupied
by Governor Shepherd.
THE GossIPS
about Washington are constantly can
wasting the political future and trotting
out Presidential candidates for 1884.
Recently some Of them have been using
General Sherman's nam quite freely.
The other day just as Tccumseh was
about to leave town for a short time, he
was approached by q reporter, when
the following conversation took place.
'General, what do you think of this
western boom that Col. Ingersoll and
the newspapers have been starting?"
Young man, you can't interview me;
you've tried that before; but / tell you,
the papers know more than | do As
he turned away to leave his Office, the
reporter hurriedly put in, but, Cen
erai, II you We're elected President, you
would serve. of course, wouldn't youo',
Quick as shot came the answer, ..No.n
i IL -A,xwl-l =. r I