Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-08-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
TFrom our regular COrrespondsat.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. %, 1888.


Now that the Civil Service Commits
sion is the avenue through which ap-
pointment to Government clerkships
are reached, there is no longer any use
for the thousands of written applica-
tions on file in the various departments.
Under the old rules, these documents
accumulated very rapidly. In the In
terror Department alone, II, 900 applica-
tions were placed on file within the past
two years. These papers are now of alb
solutely no value, except as curiosities
and certificates of character, which
may be useful in securing positions else
where; and hence, the departments
wish to get rid of them, so that the space
they fill can be better used. The In
terror Department has already begun re-
turning these papers to the later appli-
cants, and any one having such doc
uments on file in that department can
have them for the asking. In many
cases these form quite voluminOus and
interesting budget, the applications be-
ing often accompanied by a number of
letters of recommendation from busi-
ness firms, congressman, senators, and
officials of evey grade. The Post-Office
department sold its accumulated appli-
cations in 1875 as waste paper, and the
Postmaster General has now under con-
sideration a similar plan to dispose of
the nine or ten thousand applications
that have come in since the sale. The
act of March B, 1881, authorizes him Ito
sell as waste paper, or otherwise dispose
of the files of papers which have ac-
cumulated or may hereafter accumulate,
in the Postoffice Department that are
not needed in the transaction of current
business, and have no permanent value
or historical Interest," and to turn the
proceeds in the Treasury.
Glowing reports come from the yell
lowstone region concerning the delights
afforded the presidential party. Un-
doubtedly, there is fine scenery and
good fishing, and every requirement
for an enjoyable time. 1t is said that
the President took along in his private
car six cases of the best champagne,
three cases of Rhine wine, four gallons
of old Bourbon whiskey of 1860, a guam
tity of fine cognac brandy, Bordeaux
and other wines, and four cases of Apol-
linaris water. Whether General Sheri-
dams commissary department was a
duplicate of this outfit it is not stated;
but when it is understood that a lease"
is two dozen quart bottles, the average
citizen will estimate that the above in
ventory might, in case of necessity, be
sufficient for two. The report that the
Yellowstone country is infested with
snakes, had probably reached President
Arthur before he started, and he no
doubt felt the necessity of being pro-
vided with asupply of antitode.
If the President reads tithe of the
stuff sent to the press by the reporters
accompanying his party, he must be
nauseated to absolute gangrene. And
of what earthly moment is it to fifty
millions of people that Mr.. Arthur sat
up at night, and darned a place in his
pants that days abrading with the
saddle had worn through? Had not
Phil Sheridan and many a better man
done the same? And has not the pub
lie been told often enough to know it
for fact that the fish of the Yellow
stone have had their instruction to nib
BILE at the Presidents hook and no 9TH
er? And is it not acknowledged that the
President is the best horseman in the
party not excepting the Indian guides
who have spent their lives upon horse
back? Why iterate and reiterate all
these infinitesimal details day after
day, when we know that the President
is first in rod, first in pickle, and first in
the hearts of the aborigines? Is this an
age of fiunkeyism? PHoNO.