Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-10-01
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Sept. 27, 10,

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Sept. 27, 1883
Editors KeaHetee Journal:
Home from everywhere, 10 q sentence Pc
culiarly adapted just now to Washington.
The city 10 decidedly cosmopolitan in its
character, and when the summer exodus
comes its population scatters to all parts Of
the country-that 10 the portion Of il which
can scatter. Every State and Territory is
represented, besides many from foreign parts,
90 Jon will hnd Washingtonisns everywhere
during the heated term. When the home
stretch 10 made they come strag9ling in week
by week bat with increasing numbers, until
the frosts Of September and October send the
remainder back with a rush, and then the
Capital 10 itself again. More than this, the
home folks get news and gossip from every
qusrter-from the mines of Colorado and
Arizona to the cliffs of Mount Desert. The
ladies, particularly, have enough to talk
about until the winter entertainments come
along.
What q gloriously diversified country we
have, that everybody comes back, thinking
HE or her trip has been the most interesting
huu UcucuClnI. uc otAte VI M1lne COMES
in for large share Of admiration and praise.
The residents Of the Capital are delighted
with its sea coast, and as each succeeding
year rolls around, larger numbers Of them
90 in that direction. Said one of them to
me, eff the sea-water was a little warmer.
the Maine coast would be q very para
disc in summer" Some enterprisiny
Yankee ought to invent floating sea wall,
or some other cOntrivance to defect the gulf
stream in such . manner that it would wash
the shores Of Maine. Then we could entirely
satisfy our summer visitors.
Now will come the turn of the National
Capital. From the first of October until
the first of December the climate
10 lovely, the drives are splendid, the
streets lively and general features interesting.
The sight seeing and business travellers are
very numt rous. Each year they are increasing,
giving the hotels and boarding houses large
increase Of business, besides scattering con.
siderable money amongst the merchants
Then comes Congress and its employees and
the lobby, and last but not least, the people
Of leisure and pleasure who find the winter,
climate, sociabiity and smusements Of Wash
ington delightful.
Truly It may be said that this city Is getting
TO be the Paris Of America.
Quite . sprinkling of politicians has been
seen around the hotels of late. but the promi
nent ones make short stay, owing in a great
degree to interest in the State elections.
The smaller fry are here looking after the
loaves and fishes to be distributed by the
Democratic House, thus showing their inter-
est In civil service reform as laid down in the
gospel according to democracy.
Speaking of civil service reform, remind.
me that while the theory and fprit of that
subject are in the right direction, the practical
part IL . matter creating much trouble. per
plexity and confusion. The demand for .
reform Was seemingly 90 peremptory that the
last Congress, with no time for close and
intelligent study Of the question, framed such
law ~, to them, seemed best adopted to i'm
mediate use. Now that the Law 10 put in force
its many defects, or needs. begin to be felt,
and the methods of application are confusing
First snag 10 struck in interpreting the Law
regulating OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES $1,000 ap.
pointmt nts are made inside or outside of the
departments. and this Of course carrying
with it the question whether the heads Of de-
parments can make promotions to that grade
from the lower ones. Then comes MP the
question Of the regulation Of appointments
according to the quota Of States. The CON-
nissioners Of the civil service send in four
names, which. according to the law, should
consist Of those attaining the high
est marking. But here comes in the
objection Of the Secretary that two or
three from one State appear in the list, or
that the list 10 made altogether Of candidates
from States, who already have their quota !;
consequently Mr.. Smith and Miss Brown and
Mrs. Jones, who are At the head for scholar
ship, have to step aside for others who have.
perhape, just passed the minimum. Another
list 10 sent, when up comes another puzzle
The Law says that the honorabiy discharged
soldier shall have the preference, other things
being equal, and the second list must be par
TALLY or wholly rejected 90 - TO cover this
rule BY certifying Of list of ex-soldier can
didates. This list also may be rejected be-
cause not coinciding with the proper State
quota, &C., &c. These troubles together Wit,
the varied and complicated examinations and
rsviews. keep the poor commissioners in q
stew, and IL seems to me they pretty nearly
earn their salaries. One thing 10 certain, the
question - to what constitutes . true civil
service reform 10 far from being settled, q.
well In the minds of those who advocate il -
OF those who don't After all, cosld the pre-
liminaries Be properly adjusted whereby the
candidate enters the service, the rest Of the
action IA simple enough, il no partially 10
exercised. % the candidate's own merits sub
sequently prove his fitness for his position.
The political portion of our commuuity
are anxiously interested in the coming elec-
tions, looking upoa them - almost harbin-
gers of victory or defeat in 1854. The
Ohio and Massachusetts contests seem to
create the most interest.
Ben Butler 10 sort Of paradox to both
parties, but - the Democrsts must swallow
aim. bcoss and spurs, the Republicans Of
me earnest stripe wash their hands Of .shim
ana his'a." and vish for al old fashioned
massachusetts victory. but are nos quite
certain Of IL They seen to feel easier ~