The Press., 1883-05-10
wmsRasaagsoaa Letter.
Washington, D., C., May

Washington, D., C., May 4, 1888.
 A lively interest in the approaching re- union of the Army of the Potomac, to be held in this city on the 16th and 17th inst, has now taken definite shape. The con- mittee of arrangements embraces 8 long list of names of the most substantial and influential element of which the popula- ton of this city is composed. But each gentleman has been selected with reference to efficiency in the work, while display of ornamental fgure-heads was ignored. Besides the committees of reception and f. nance, committe has been appointed on parade, on transportation, on halls and headquarters, on banquet, on press, badges and printing, and on invitations. No de- tail for making the affair complete and brilliant success will be neglected. Hotel accommodations will be reduced to 8 per day for the occasion, and railway fares to one and one third fare for round trip. The trunk lines have spent $15, ,O00 in ad- vertising the reunion, and many visitors are expected in the city. No city of the Union owes the old soldiers warmer well come than than the national capital, which they defended through so many hard fought campaigns. They will meet here again for the first time since eighteen years ago, when, war-worn and ragged, but covered with glory, they carried their tat | tered colors up Pennsylvania avenue and s,,,. h<f~ 41ano sion. Though their reception on this oc- | casion must necessarily be less wild, bois- terous, and enthusiastic than then, it is in- I tended 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 battlefelds near Washington. The business meeting of the society will be held at the national theater, where also 1 will be the delivery of the oration by Hon. Martin Maginnis of Montana, who is now in the city, and who, during his day in congress, was called the rhyming orator. l The poet of the occasion will be Geo. Al fred Townsend. The banquet will be held at Abners Garden. Some of the conspic- uous names on the committee of reception I are Hon. J. G. Blaine, Gen. W. T. Sher- man, Mr. Justice Harlan, Gen. Hagen, Col. Corkhill, Hon. w. B. Chandler, and w. W. Corcoran. On Wednesday represents tives of the society called on President Ar thur and invited him to take part in the reunion, which he accepted.
 An important naval change took place here this week. Secretary Chandler ap. pointed Commodore R. w. Shufeldt to the superintendency of the naval observatory in place of Vice Admiral Stephen Rowan, | who asked to be relieved of the duties.
 The special committee, which for some weeks past has been examining the books, accounts, and moneys in the treasury com pleted their work Wednesday. The mem. bers of the committee waited on Secretary Folger in 8 body and presented their re port. This Is the only count of the kind that has taken place for about ten years But it is deemed proper and necessary te know the exact condition of the cash and accounts when new treasurer enters of 1 flee as in the case of Mir. Wyman vice MT. Gilfllan. The only discrepancy discover ed by the count was an excess of three cents in favor of the retiring officer, which excess existed when he took possession o the office. Soft would seem honesty ii not yet extinct, even in high places.
 At the daily cabinet meetings the ab sorbing business is the consideration o the civil service rules. It is thought aetio1 Will be taken upon them th1s week. IhE commissioners then purpose to adopt some plan for the conduct of examinations fol entry into and promotions in the civil serv ice in the executive departments of this city. In reference to the complaints made against MT. Keim as chief examiner of the civil service commission, Judge Thoman of the commission denies the published re. port that Senator Pendleton, author of the civil service law, suggested or advocated MT. Keim's appointment. He says MT. I Keim was the unanimous choice of the commissioners.
 It is reported about fifty ex-members oi congress have applied for the commission ership of internal revenue at this writing, and that every train brings new ones into the city. But unfortunately for them the president has no penchant for the appoint ment of ex-congressmen to office.
 N v Hara1d Mr. Gonkltnor vacant