The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1883-09-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.


tous were placed on file within the
lpast two years, THESE papers are
now Of absolutely no value, except
as earIositios and certificates OF
character which may BIO useful IN
securing positions elsewhere and
hence, the departments wish to get
rid Of them, so that the space they
Gil can be better used. The Int
rior Department has already begun
returning these papers to the later
applicants, and any orc having such
documents on file in that depart
ment can have them for the asking.
In many cases these form quite II
volnmInous and interesting budget,
the applications being often accom-.
panied by a number of letters of re
commentator from business firms,
congressman, senators, and officials
OF every grade. The Postotiico de.
partment sold its accumulated ap
plcations in 1875 as waste paper,
and the Post master General has
now under consideration similar
plan to dispose of the nine or ten
thousand applications that have
como in since the sale. The act OF
March 3, 1881, authorizes him "to
sell as waste paper or otherwise
dispose of the files of papers which
have accumulated or may hereafter
accumulate, IN the PoslOtlice De.
partment that are not needed in the
transaction of current business, and
have no permanent value or histor.
zeal interest,"" ond to turn the pro-
eeeds into the Treasury.
A Jealous antiquary might enter
a plea for these documents on he
ground of "historcal interest,"" as
the collection would be instructive
material fifty years hence tor the
student of our times. The appIi-
cations would show very clearly the
nature OF our civil service for long
period of years, and why change
: e :, >ec-::c = - I'D sn ditHnnit IN
make. But they would be OF the
most value, perhaps, to the auto
graph hunter, as the signature Of
almost every public man of note IN
our history appears among the in.
dorsers. A conspicuous exception
is Col. Benton, who, according to
the appointment clerks of both the
Interior and Postotiiee Depart
''ea'tS, NO q 'E,'i'5ls !" iUuoIlIiIo nt,s.-
ton or Endorsement for any apph-
cant for office. The applications
might be held TO possess further
value as ouriosites OF literature,
The department had set form, to |
be sure, insisting on certain oondi.
tons of eligibility and requiring
but candidates knew
very we'll that small attention was
paid to the specifications, so that
the important part OF most appli
cations was the more or less impos.
ny array of influential names that
backed the petition. The applicant
was more apt to refer the depart
ment to these gentlemen than to
furnish much photographed in.
formation himself. Now and then,
however he would indulge in long
and glowing accounts OF his life,
gifts and services, made more pIq.
uant sometimes by weird occen.
tricites tpenmanship, spelling and
grammar,
Glowing reports come from the
Yellowstone region concerning the
delights Afforded the presidential
party. Undoubtedly, 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 ear six cases
of the best champagne, thrce cases
of Rhine wine, four gallons of old |
Bourbon whiskey Of 1860, a quaint
~ of fine cocnac brandy, Bordeaux |
and other wines, aud four cases of |
Apollnaris water. Whether Gcner. |
al Sheridan's commissary depart |
ment was a duplicate Of this outfit, |
il is not stated but when it is un-
dcrstood that o Cease" is two dozen .
quart bottles, the average citizen
will estimate that the above inven. |
tory might in case of necessity be
sufficient for two. The report that
the Yellowstone country is infested .
with snakes, had probably reached
Presldout Arthur before be started, |
and he no doubt felt the necessity |
OF being provided with supply Of