The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1883-03-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
REGULAR CORRESPONDENTS.


east winds that have prevailed for the
past few days and are even now ushur-
ing in the Easter season, have had no
benumbing influence upon female in
terest IN new bonnets. These exquis-
lite trifles must be displayed at church
on Sunday even if snow fakes do
mingle with the roses, daisies, and
apple blossoms. Forty days of fast
ing, penance, and remuneration of the
vanities of the world is long time.
So, to this end, the different millinery
establishments of the city have been
thronged on their Opening days" this
week with these eager purchasers, and
all who understand these matters
know what height woman's enthusi-
asm can attain in purchasing new
bonnet. The shop windows display
the most tempting arrays of all man
ner of beautiful spring novelties, and
the ladies in their never wearying ex-
animation of them are the busiest half
of the population.
The epidemic throughout the de-
partments is now the civil service re-
form fever. 1t is the chief topic of
conversation, and many requests have
been made since congress adjourned
for leaves of absence for six and eight
months without pay, the object being
to avoid civil service examinations
should they desire to enter the public
service again.
There are still forty-six congress
men and ex-congressmen remaining in
the city, whose chief Occupation would
seem to be seeking favors from the
heads of departments. Although a
law has been enacted regulating civil
service appointments in the govern
ment departments, and a civil service
commission has been designated by
the president, the demand for Federal
patronage according to political inhu-
ence is almost as great now as it ever
was. Some congressman who de-
nounced most strongly the system of
appointing persons to office without
regard to their qualifications can be
seen today in the departments begging
to have places made for their constitu-
ents. II is noticeable fact that those
who have been relocated to private
life stand but a poor chance of having
any attention given to their requests.
The head of the department summons
his appointment clerk and the two
officials exchange glances which each
to mean that as the en-
dorser has but little influence he is not
to be favored. He is told that no va
cancy exists at the time, but is
promised the very next appointment
provided his applicant can pass the re-
CURED examination (for in such cases
they adhere strictly to civil service
principles He IS directed to present
his candidate at certain time. The
latter has an ordinary education, and
is capable of performing the work to
which he would be assigned, but he is
to an unusually rigid exam
and as it was previously
understood he should not pass, he is
deficient and his congress
man so informed. Those congressman
who have the influence are working
very industriously at the present time,
for they do not know what to expect
when the civil service commission is
fully under way.
The Post Office Department is to
have a room set apart as museum
for accumulated curiosities of the
Dead Letter Office that have come
from every cline and country. The
Dead Letter Office has a national re-
putation, and many persons visit it /
daily The clerks have been compelI- I.
ed to waste so much time in showing
the visitors through the office, and in
to them the objects of in
-erest, that it has been found necess-
lry to construct Il museum at the en- I
trance of the office, where these curl I
osities will be exhibited in glass cases.
An elderly lady will be placed in
charge of the room, and no admit
lance to the office will be allowed to
visitors in the future. Among the .
collection of odd things to be seen
lere is human ear, wedding ring
md snake which was alive when it T
arrived at the office, and upon the
package being opened jumped out and .
frightened the clerks by running over
he floor.
One of the city papers with a pre-
ELECTION for searching and exposing
corruption in high places, has decIar-
ID its intention of publishing list of
he nepotic office holders. No one will
escape, and space for three genera
ions in some families will have to be
allowed The list is to be completed
some time in April, and since every
me of them will get hit, promises to
De very interesting reading.
Ex-President Diaz Of Mexico and
party fourteen persons IN alb are ex-
oected to arrive here next Monday
Rooms have been engaged for them !
1t the Arlington Hotel.
The New York Tribune tells the
story of Col. Bob. Ingersoll,
who, in his Jealous defense of the star
'outers, quite often brings upon HIM