The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-20
WASHINGTON NEWS.
A Batch of Items From the National
Capital
Crusade AgainAt Land Pirates Civil
Service Matters Pension
a. RepOrt---GariingtOn
Vfndicated.

WASHINGTON CRY, Oct 9-Commissioner
Mcfarland, Of the general land Office, is con-
tinuing vigorous crusade lnangufated
against what is known as land cruisers in the
west. Upon the report of the special agents,
thirteen entries of public land in Washington
territory were held for cancellation. The
commissioner says that all parties in these
cases appear to have combined in the conl-
mission of fraud, the combination even ex-
tending to the notary who witnessed the
papers. All the entries, after confirmation,
were transferred to one individual
CIVIL SERVICE.
The secretary of state has addressed let
ter to the secretary of the civil service COM
mission, in reply to an inquiry IS to what
branches Of service in the several bureaus Of
the state department VIII require special ex-
aminations for admission. He says, quoting
ex-SecretaIy Fish, that the clerical force of
the department is small, and should have
the personal confidence Of the head of the
department., a knowledge of international
law and q practical familiarity with
many foreign languages A power of reti-
ceuce ia also requisite, which is ascertained
only by the test Of experience or intimate
personal kuowleIge OF the party. 1t can't
be determined by any examination by a
bosrd. the secretary then goes on 10 say:
at IS nee,S AIRY that most of the clerks OF
tbs depai tinent of state should have at least
sufficient knowledge ii one or more foreign
languages to rcsd them in original docu-
ments, nevertheless it IS not absolutely
necessary tbatss. q e4ys clerk should have
this qualticgis Vi, as his ability in
other directions sI!ay more than compensate
for It's hicl, but It is always necessary that
twenty III this department should
hayea fair know Ie'taa u French and German,
spanish or ltalia.l, All under these circum-
st noes | sGggess that special examination be
given to all agpAeFhts Who may wish to fol
low this deIM tthen5 which shall conform in
seine mcclure tothe cxaIaihation heretofore
ut one tin, required in thu case of applicants
Iur certaAl grades Of constitutes, and now re
quired in case Of Applicants for clerkships."
Rze g@ PENSIONS.
The report of the-commissioner of pensions
for the fiscal year en.ed June So 1888, shows
there were 3o3, SIS pensioners on the roll at
the end Of the fscat year. During the year
the names Of scventy-six whose pensions had
been dropped previously were restored to the
roll, making 81, 95S pensioners added during
the year. an excess of Il, 645 over the proceed
ing year. The average annual value of each
pension is SlO6, and the aggregate annual
value of all pensions $50, 245, 1872, an in
crease of 81, 904,O90 The amount paid for
pensions was s60,064O09. exceeding the an
nual value BY several millionsof dollars. The
bulk Of this excess was on account of arrears
of pensions, covering the period prior to the
allowance of claims The appropriation fo1
salaries and fees to pension agents was ex
hauSted, and there is balance due agents
The whole number of claims filed since 1861
was $50, lS7, of which 1888 were allowed.
During the same time S621, 073,297 was paid
for pensions and costs of disbursement
aARLINGToN's REPORT.
The report of Lieut. Darlington, com.
mander of the recent Arctic expedition for
the relief Of the Greeley party, is a complete
vindication of Mr.. Darlington, 50 far as any
disobedience of orders is concerned. Gen.
Hazen, in letter transmitting the report to
the secretary of war, says the structures made
upon Lieut.. Darlington in this connection are
entirely unwaiTanted. AE