The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-04-25
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. April Is.

WASHINGTON, April IL.
Postmaster General Gresham ar
rived in the city Tuesday, and in
accordance with his expressed wish
his reception was quiet and in keep
ing with the occasion of accession to
a high Office by reason OF death.
He assumed his new official duties
Wednesday. On entering the De
partment he went to the rooms of
the Postmaster General, which had
been closed for a long time, where
the oath of Office was administered
to him by the notary, Judge Law
renson, who made the short ceremo-
ny impressive, although it way the
twentieth time he has oficiated,
having sworn in every Postmaster
General since 1915. After this for
mality a Department reception fol-
lowed, which occupied about an
hour. Heads of bureaus, clerks,
messengers and watchmen came in
and were presented to their new
chief by Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral Hatton. By Judge Gresham's
kind presence and pleasant manner,
many employees who felt an excusa-
bic degree of uncertainty before they
went in, as they do whenever there
is a change at the head, We're reas-
sured by this momentary contact
that the new Cabinet officer was not
their natural enemy, and retired
with a stronger SENSE of security.
After the clerks had returned to
their desks General Gresham had a
conference with his assistants, and
thus pleasantly personal and official
acquaintance began. One of Judge
Gresham's first official acts will be
to make a selection from the designs
sent by the American Bank Note
Company of New York for the new
two-cent postage stamps. After the
two-cent law goes into effect, the
three-cent stamps in stock will be
used for packages of third and fourth
class mail matter, and for Canadian
mail, and if the demand for them
viii warrant it, the Department will
continue to print the three-cent
stamps.
The Society of the Army of the
Potomac will hold its next annual
reunion in this city, and as the event
approaches much interest is felt, as
it is expected to attract a very large
number of visitors to Washington.
These throngs ofpeople are of course
conducive to the business interests
of the city, and there will be an eff
fort on the part of citizens TO con-
tribute to the pleasure of the occa-
sion and thereby make Washington
a popular place for these gatherings,
as it is really the most appropriate
place. In its campaigning days,
this Army for a long time made the
Capital the centre of its operations,
while around it are many Of the bat
tie fields and bivouacs of its dead.
The Society has held thirteen annu-
al reunions in different cities before
returning to hold one here, where
every spot is familiar to these old
soldiers, and suggestive of martial
memories, The formal features of
the reunions are . business meeting
and Grafton, poem and banquet.
But the veterans have a high old
time shaking hands, renewing friend
ships, strengthening ties, reviewing
past scenes, and living over togeth-
er the events off, period SO thrilling
ly forcible in the memories of each
other.
Twenty-Five Senators still remain
in Washington, among them being
Senator Kellogg, of Louisiana, who
was recently indicted for completely
in the Star Route cases.
Hon. Roscoe Conkling always at
tracts attention when he appears in
Washington. He has just been here
argueing in an electric light patent
suit. He spoke with his character
istic facility to a room full of listen
ers, and warmed up with his subject
until the perspiration d down his
face. He is growing old rapidly,
but seemed to be healthy and cheer.
fol. He is always stared at on the
Avenue by those who are on the qg,
rice for lions, and Conkling is no less
leonine lion than Blaine or Ben
Butler.
The Civil Service Commission is
established in Its rooms IN the an.
mex Of the agricultural building
These quarters are not regarded a:
necessarily permanent, though they
answer all present requirements
and will be occupied until the Gov.
eminent furnishes something bet
ter. The examinations will moi
begin for about thirty days. The
room is large enough to examine
sixty applicants at one time. The
answers will all be in writing, and
the marking will probably be done
by experts from the department.
assigned to The duty, with every pre-.
caution necessary TO insure fairness
even to the extent of the reconsider,
alton of cases where there should
be any complaint of unfairness.