The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-01-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. Sc, 1882

WASHINGTON, ~. ", Dec. 90, 1857.
The failure of the Senate to talk the
civil service reform bill to death is q
disappointment to some of its opponents.
but it still has tn run the gauntlet of the
House, and its final fate is quite as much |
enshrouded in doubt as ever. Should
the bill pass the House it will only he
after prolonged delay and with such
load of amendments that another debate
must ensue In the Senate. In the judge
ment of long-headed members of both
houses the measure does not stand very
good chance to become law during this |
Congress. And there Is some doubt as to |
its value or practical effect even IL 1t did. |
Nota little amusement has been created |
by L discussion of some Of our former |
cfy{i Rervice examinations. When the |
rules and form of examination of candid |
ates for office as recommended by the |
commission appointed during the Presi-
dency of General Grant were under dis
cussion in the Senate some years since.
the late Senator Carpenter. one of the
most brilliant and erudite members of
that body, admitted that he would be un-
able to pass such an examination 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
| the competitive examinations shall be
practical in their character, but to secure
this, it will be necessary for the presi-
dent to appoint as members of the COM
mission practical business men and not
enthusiasts or utOpians. During the last
hours of the present discussion. while
Senators were weary and worn Senator
Beck made little passage too good to be
lost. Senator German of Maryland was
in the chair, and at the time the venera-
BILE Cap. Bassett, assistant sergant-at-
arms of the Senate. and who for years
was captain-general of the Senate pages.
was leaning over to receive some in
structions from him as presiding officer.
Senator Beck was hungry and thirsty,
and wanted Senator Voorhees, to go down
to the restaurant with him for refresh
ments. The Indiana Senator was lit
tie tardy in responding. when MIR. Beck
said. "Oh come on, voorhees,; never
mind this civil service reform talk. it is
all humbug: what do we want of it! We
have good enough civil service reform
now. Look at German sitting in that
chair presiding over the Senate, and he
used to be page running around this
floor. And look at old Bassett, bowling
snd scraping to him, when he used te
lead him around by the ear. Amt thai
civil service reform enough? Come on
now" Mr. Beck's argument was con
vincing and Voorhees, yielded without
word.
!, Attorney General Brewster added new
!. lustre to his laurels by his recent speeci
. before the Supreme Court in reply to ex
= Senator Conkling. Both were masterl.
. efforts, but Mr.. Brewster had the best o
,, the legal argument and acquitted him
self like an old-time jurist and orator
There is no doubt that Mr.. Brewster i
one of the ablest lawyers in the country
: aud his personal idiosyncrasies do no
n detract from his influence at the bar.
;. society" he has always been talke
= about and always will he. IN fact
: might as well say that he intends to be
+, 1t is a part of his theory of human cor
J. duct that man who is conspicuous fo
J. his abilities should also be conspicuou
u in his dress, demeanOr, and pei sOnal bt
longings. He thinks that there shoul
It never be mistake as to the identity c
e Benjamin Harris Brewster. ] am boun
e to say that he has been tOlerably SUI
IS cessful thus far in his efforts to kee
n himself distinct from other men. n
= Young man ever accOsts him on tn
, street as Mr.. Jones. from JOnesville, an
+. inquiries after his health and the healt
d of the little Jones's Mt home. Nor doc
Il anybody mix up his big yellow coac
y with the carriage in which his neighb6
# is driven over the smooth pavements
the Capitol. In speaking of Mr.. Brew
s. ter. am reminded OF his beautif'
+ office in the Department of Justice an
n the criticisms that have been made on i
q Well, Mr.. Brewster has velvet curtain
n and Turkish rugs and mirrors. and Q
d ebony table and candlestick, ar
v beautiful furniture and charming piet
Ii of bronze statuary-Henry of NavarI
y. when boy-the prettiest thing in II
= world. The genial attorney general
=, =, known at home, among other good thing
y for his luxurious surroundings. 4
's home he makes four times the sum of
:. cabinet officers salary and surely the
~ is no good reason that the Governmel
y should not furnish him with an Off
n half az comfortable and luxurious ;
y, No his own. The attorney general has b
'o gun housekeeping here in handson
- style. He occupies the large and attra
NJ tive house owned by Governor She
4 herd.
q The gossips about Washington are co
a stantly canvassing the political futu
u and trotting out Presi dental candi dat
"a for 1884. Recently some of them ha
N been using General Sherman's name qui
y freely. The other day just as lie cums
4 was about to leave town for short tim
Is is he was approached by reporter, whe
IL the following conversation took pla
Y, General, what do you think of this Yves
III ern boom that Colonel Ingsrsoll and d
N newspapers have been starting
Young man, YOU can't interview m
'e you have tried that before; but I'll I,
re you, the papers know more than do
st AS he turned away to leave his office {
he reporter hurriedly put In. But, Ge
W eral, If you were elected President, "
ne would serve, of course. wouldn't you
2, Quick as shot came the answer, mo
X. 1t sounded as If it was in capita
ut Another of the public men suggested as
m possible candidate is Secretary Lincol
lie A near friend of his. however, has recer
of lV made tho follOWin0 ctafaman