The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-24
WASHINGTON.
Tne Sue Against secretary LINCOLN.

The Suit Against Secretary Lincoln.
WASHINGTON, April %.
The cadet engineers, who we're unfavorably
affected by the recent ruling OF the Secretary
of the Navy, have sued him in the court Of
claims. The court has advanced their case on
the docket.
The Civil Service Rules.
The civil service commissioners have COM
pleted their rules. but have not chosen TO com
init them to the custody of the government
printing Office. Sufficient number OF copies have
been printed on a " pe-writer to furnish one to
each member of the Cabinet and TO the Presi-
dent. The rules are quite voluminous, but are
not SO long as those OF the former civil service
commission, and are much simpler One Of
The mem H6rs OF the commission has said: 1--WE
have tried to foFesiall public criticism and to
makes system of rules which, hIle effective,
will be simple and practcsble." There is one
popular error with regard to the new rules. It
has been stated that they will require appli-
caDts for positions in Washington from the dii-
ferent states to come to Washington TO be ex-
amined. This is not correct. Examinations
will be conducted 10 all the states for the eligi
BILE list for appointment to Washington posi-
tions as well as to the offices in the respective
states.
The Hill Investigating Committe.
The committee selected to investigate the
charges against Mr.. Hill, supervising architect
of the Treasury, met today and adjourned un-
til Wednesday morning, when it is expected
that Pbilade phia firm who have preferred
charges will be In attendance to snbstantiate
them.
In his answer to the charges Of Manly &
Cooper of Philadelphia fiIed today with the in
vestigatinC committee, Supervising Architect
Hill states that Manly and Co. were the lowest
bidders for freproof shutters for the govern
ment building at Cincinnati, and the United
States Fireproof Shutter Co. Of Boston were
the next lowest bidders. Fireproof tests were
demanded, and the shutter presented by Man
ly & Co. was entirely different from that con-
templated by their bid and not in accordance
with the Office requirements, and OF inferior
make and iDish. Mr.. Hill declined TO make
the test and reported the facts to the Secretary
Of the Treasury, who approved the recommen-
dation that she contract be awarded to the
United States Fireproof Shutter Iron Safe and
Building Company
Alabama Claims Court.
The Court of Commissioners Of Alabama
claims held long session today.
Judgment for S2I5 was rendered for claim
ant in the case Of Mark III. Wentworth, ad.
ministrator
The case Of John b. Hathaway against the
United States, which is a claim growing ont OF
the destruction Of the schooner Good Speed By
the Chickamauga, was submitted on briefs.
Court adjourned till tomorrow.
An Important Decision.
A decision was rendered in the U. s. Su-
preme Court today in the case OF the Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad Co. against the Fifth
Baptist church Of Washington, ID. g.. which
was a suit for damages brought by the church
trustees against a railroad company on account
Of an alleged injury to the property of the for
mer caused by the erection and maintenance
of an engine house and machine shop on land
adjoining the church edifce. The court holds
that the railroad company is liable In damages
and the fact that Congress had given 1t au-
thority TO bring its track within the limits OF
the city and construct such works, &C., as
might be necessary, constitutes no defense to a
suit brought by a private individual, whose
property has been injured. Judgment OF the
District Court is affirmed.