The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Frvm our regular Correspondent

(From our regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March %, 1883
The bleak east winds that have pre-
vailed for the past few days and are
even now ushering in the Easter season
have had no benumbing influence upon
feminine interest in new bonnets. These
exquisite trifles must be displayed at
church on Sunday, even If snowhakes
do mingle with the roses, daisies, and
apple blossoms, Forty days Of tasting,
penance, and remuneration of the vani-
ties of the world is Il long time. So, to
this end, the different millinery cstab-
lishments of the city have been throng-
ed 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 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
ale the busiest half of tho population.
The epidemic throughout the De-
partments now is the civil service re-
form fever. 1t is the chief topic of con-
versation, and many requests have been
made since Congress adjourned for
leave of absence for six and eight
months without pay, the object being
to avoid civil service examinations
should they desire to enter public ser
vice again.
There are still forty-six congressman
remaining in the city, whose chief &C.
cupation would seem to be seeking ia
vors from the heads of Departments.
Although law has been enacted regu
lating civil service appointments in the
Government Departments, and Civil
Service Commission has been designat-
ed by the President, the demand for
Federal patronage according to polite
al influence is almost as great now as it
ever was. Some congressman who de.
nounccd most strongly tho system of
appointing persons to office without re-
gard to their qualifications can be seen
to-day in the Departments begging to
have places made for their constituents.
1t is a noticeable fact that those who
have been relegated to private life
stand but poor chance of having any
attention given to their requests. The
head of the Department summons his
appointment clerk and tho two officials
exchange chances which each under
stand to mean that as the endorser has
but little influence he is not to be ia
vored. lie is told that no vacancy ex-
lists at tho time, but is promised the
very next appointment provided his ap.
plicant can pass the required examina-
ton (for in such cases they adhere
strictly to civil service pnnciples.) He
is directed to present his candidate at u
certain time. The latter has an ordi-
nary education, and is capable of per-
forming the work 10 which he would
be assigned, but he is subjected to an
unusually rigid examination, and as it
is previously understood he should not
pass, he is reported deficient and his
congressman so informed. Those con-
gressmen who have the influence are
working very industriously at the pres.
ent time, for they do not know what to
expect when the Civil Service Commits.
sion is fully under way.
The Post Office Department is to
have room set apart rs museum for
the accumulated curiosities of the Dead
Letter Office that have come from every
cline and country. The Dead Letter
Office has national reputation, and
many persons visit it daily. The clerks
have been compelled to waste SO much
time IN showing the visitors through the
office and in explaining to them til e
objects of interest, that it has been
found necessary to construct museum
at the entrance of the Office, where
these curiosities will be exhibited in
glass cases. An elderly lady will be
placed in charge of the room, and no
admittance to tho Office will he allowed
to visitors in the future. Among the
collection of odd things to be seen here
is a human ear, wedding ring, and a
snake which was alive when it arrived
at the office, and upon the package be-
ing opened jumped out and frightened
TIE clerks 10y running over the floor.
One of the city papers with predi-
lection for searching and exposing cor
ruption IN high places, has declared it's
intention of publishing list of the ne
potic Office holders. No one will es-
cape, and space for three generations in
some families will have to be allowed
The list is to be completed sometime IN
April, and since every one Of them will
get hit, it promises to be very inter.
esting reading.
Ex-President Diaz, of Mexico and
party fourteen persons IN ally are ex.
pected to arrive here next Monday
Rooms have been engaged for them al
the Arlington Hotel.
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