Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-09
[From Our Regular Correspondent, ]
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, May 4, 's3.


WASHINGTON, May 4. 'sa.
A lively interest in the approaching
reunion Of the army of the Potomac, to
be held in this city on the 10th and 18th
inst. has now taken definite shape. The
committee of arrangements embraces a
long list of names of the most substantial
and influential elements of which the
population of this city ia composed. But
each gentleman has been selected with
reference TO efficiency in the work, while
display of ornamental figure heads was
ignored. Besides the committees OF re-
ception and finance. committee has been
appointed ion parade, on transportation,
on halls and headquarters, on press,
badges and printing, and on invitations.
No detail for making the affair complete
and brilliant success will be neglected.
Hotel accommodations will be reduced to
$3 per day for the occasion, and railway
fares to one and one third fare for the
round trip. The trunk lines have spent
$4,000 in advertising the reunion. and
many visitors are expected In the city.
No city of the union owes the old soldiers
u warmer welcome than the national
capital, which they defended through 80
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 tattered oolors up Pennsyl-
vania avenue and passed in review before
the executive mansion. Though their
reception on this occasion must necessarily
be less wild, boisterous, and enthusiastic
than then, it is intended 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
battle fields near Washington. The bust
ness meeting of the society will be held
at the national theatre, where also will be
the delivery Of the GRAFTON by Hon. Martin
Maginnis of Montana, who is now in the
city, and who, during his day in congress,
was called the rhyming orator. The poet
of the occasion will be George Alfred
Townsend. The banquet will be held at
Abners garden. Some of the conspicuous
names on the committee of reception are
Hon. j. e. Blaine, Gen. w. +. Sherman,
Mr.. Justice Harlan. Col. Corkhill, Hon.
W. E. Chandler, and W. w. Corcoran.
On Wednesday representatives OF the
society called on President Arthur and
invited him to take part in the reun ion
which he accepted.
An important naval change took place
here this week. Secretary Chandler
appointed Commodore R. w. Shufeldt to
the superintendency of the naval observa-
tory in place of Vice Admiral Stephen
Rowan, who asked to DO relieved of the
duties.
The special committee which for some
weeks past has been examining the books,
accounts, and moneys in the treasury
completed their work Wednesday. The
members of the committee waited on
Secretary Folger in body and presented
their report. This is the only count of
the kind that has taken place for about
ten years. But it is deemed proper and
necessary to know the exact condition of
the cash and accounts when new treas
urer enters office as in the case of Mr..
Wyman vice Mr.. Gilfllan. The only |
discovered by the count was
an excess of three cents in favor of the
officer. which excess existed
when he took possession of the office.
So it would seem honesty is not yet
extinct, even in high places.
At the daily cabinet meetings the
Absorbing business is the consideration of
the civil service rules. 1t is thought
action will BIO taken upon them this week.
The commissioners then purpose TO adopt
some plan for the conduct of examinations
for entry into and promotions in the civil
service in the executive departments Of
this city. In reference to the complaints
made against Mr.. Keim as chief examiner
Of the civil service commission, Judge
Thoman of the commission denies the
published report that Senator Pendleton,
author of the civil service law, suggested
Or advocated Mr.. Keim's appointment.
He says Mr.. Keim was the unanimous
choice of the commissioners.
1t is reported about fifty ex-members Of
have applied for the commission
srship of internal revenue at this writing,
md that every train brings new ones into
he city. But unfortunately for them the
president has no penchant for the appoint.
nent of congressman to office.