The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-05-16
Fro,a Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, May 4, 1888.

WAsHINGroN, May 4, 1888.
A lively interest in the approach
ing reunion of the Army of the Pc
tomac, to be held in this city on tn
10Th and 18th inst. has now taker
definite shape. The committee o
arrangements embraces a long list 0
names of the most substantial anG
influential elements of which th,
population of this city is composed
But each gentleman has been select
ed with reference to efficiency ir
the work, while a display of orna
mental fgure-heads was ignored
Besides the committees of reception
and finance, a committee has beer
appointed on parade, on Transports
ton, on halls and headquarters, or
banquet, on press, badges end print.
ing. and on invitations. No detail
for making the affair a complete and
brilliant success will be neglected
Hotel accommodations will be re-
duced to $500 per day for the occa.
sion, and railway fares to one and
one-third fare for round trip. The
trunk lines have spent $4,000 in
advertising the reunion, and many
visitors are expected in the city. No
city of the Union owes the old SOL
diers a warmer welcome than the
National Capital, which they de,
Tended through SO many hard fought
campaigns. They will meet here
again for the first time since Is years
ago, when, war-worn and ragged,
but covered with glory, they carried
their tattered colors up Pennsylva'
MIA avenue and passed in review be,
fore the Executive Mansion. Though
their reception on this occasion must
necessarily be less wild, boisterous,
and enthusiastic than then, it is
intended to be no less genuine and
cordial. There will be an excursion
of citizens and veterans to Mount
Vernon, and to some of the famous
battleields near Washington. The
business meeting Of the Society will
be held at the National Theatre
where also will be the delivery of the
Grafton by Hon. Martin Maginnis, o.
Montana, who is now in the city.
and who, during his day in Con
gress, was called the rhyming orator
The poet of the occasion will be
George Alfred Townsend. The ban
quet will be held at Abner's Garden
Some of the conspicuous names or
the committee of reception are Hon
James G. Blaine, Gen. w. T.. Sher
man, Mr.. Justice Harlan, Gen
Hazen, Col. Corkhill, Hon. w. E
Chandler, and w. w. CorcoEan. Or
Wednesday representatives OF the
society called on President Arthur
and invited him ito take part il
the reunion, and the invitation was
accepted.
An important naval change took
place here this week. Secretary
Chandler appointed Commodore r
w. Shufeldt to the superintendent
of the Naval Observatory, in place
of Vice Admiral Stephen Rowan
who asked to be relieved of the
duties.
The special committee which fol
some weeks past has been examin
ing the books. accounts and money:
in the Treasury, completed theil
work Wednesday. The member:
of the committee waited on Secreta
nv Folger in a body, and presented
their report. This is the only
count of the kind that has taker
place for about ten years. But it i:
deemed proper and necessary tc
know the exact condition of the
cash and accounts when a new treas
urer enters Office, as in the case o
Mr.. Wyman rice Mr.. Gilillan. The
only discrepancy discovered by the
count was an excess of three cents in
favor of the retiring officer, which
excess existed when he took posses
sion of the office. So it would seem
honesty is not yet extinct, even il
high places.
: AT the daily Cabinet meetings the
absorbing business is the considera
ton of the civil service rules. 1t j:
thought action will be taken upor
them this week. The commission
ers then purpose to adopt some plaf
for the conduct of examinations fol
entry into and promotions in The
civil service in the executive depart
ments of this city. In reference tC
the complaints made against Mr.
Keim as chief examiner of the civi
service commission, Judge Thoman
of the commission, denies the pub
lished report that Senator Pendle
ton, author of the civil service law
suggested or advocated Mr.. Keim'
appointment. He says Mr.. Klein
was the unanimous choice of tn,
commissioners.
1t is reported about fifty ex-mem
bers of Congress have applied TO
the commissionership of Interna
Revenue at this writing, and tina
every train brings new one into thu
city. But unfortunately for then
the President has no penchan.
for the appointment of ex-C Congress
men tn office