The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-04
Civil service Reform,


WA HINGToN, Feb. 2.-Secretary Chandler
said today that an examination of the papers
of persons certified to him by the Civil Service
Commission satisfied him that all were unfit
ted for the work to be done, for the reason of
deficiency ia psDmanship, copying and orthog-
rapby. He returned the papers to the Com
mission With simple statement to the effect
that he did not wish his action To be under-
stood as az alta, on the civil service law, as
he had no Intention OF attacking that law, but
was strongly ia favor of the civil service act
but he would rather have a vacancy in the
clerical force Than to appoint man unable to
NETT the requirements, aud he referred tue
matter to the commissioner IN the hope that
he wonld send him the names of more compe-
tent 10 select from. He would, however,
be bound by The action of the commission in
the mstger.
The Lowell Bankruptcy Bill.
The Senate committee on judiciary today or
desed the Lowell bankruptcy bill to be fayora-
bly reported to the Senate with amendments
1t preserves State exemptions and authorizes
Involuntary proceedings only against persons
whose debts amouBt to more than 81 900, and
only against traders 1t dimiuishes the num-
Der Of commissioners in bankruptcy by one-
half. Many of the amendments suggested by
the bankruptcy convention which met here
few days since were incorporated in the bill.
Senator Hoar will report it on Monday. Some
of the features above noted are among thoss
coIteuded for by Western senators in the last
the chances for the passage of the bill.
Forfeiture of Land Grants.
The House committee on public lands today
decided 10 report bill declaring forfeiture
of the land grants TO the Oregon & California
and California & Oregon railroads, except
such tracts as have been patented The grants
to the roads amount to 5000, ,000acres, one-tenth
of which have been patented. These lands
are valued at from So to $4 per acre. The
terms of the contract expired in July, 1880.
Trade Dollars.
Burchard, director of the mint, today ap-
peared before subcommittee of the House
committee on coinage, weights and measures,
which is considering the subject of the with
drawal of the trade dollar. He said he
thought that between 100000 and 7,000,0 600
were out, and he believed in the hands of
tradesmen The subcommittee are preparing
bill for the withdra1at of that coiE aud will
probably report to the full committee next
week Il is understood that the bill will pro-
vide that the trade dollar be received at par
for government dues and be retired.
Work i'm tho senate.
Tha Senate held only two full daily sessions
last week ana accomplished little work except
ia committees.
The bill to provide for the ascertainng and
settling private land claims in certain States
and Territories, the consideration of which
began last Monday, remains as unfinished bus
mess for tomorrow.
The new rules are working satisfactorily in
respect to the order of business and much less
inclination is manifested now than before
their adoption to take measures up ont of their
order.
The MCPHERSON banking bill is more likely
than any other on the calendar to be taken up
in advance of it's order and an effort will prob
ably be made during the week to bring it be-
fore the Senate.
Senator Edmuuds' civil rights bill and the
Utah bill, both reported by Senator Hoar from
the committee on judiciary, stand next in inn
portance, but neither command the support
OF a majority should they be antagonized with
the entire remaining calendar for considera-
tion.
miscellaneous.
Mrs. Senator Frye and Miss Margaret Blaine
assisted at The reception at the White House,
Saturday.
OF the 1874 Representatives who indorsed
FiZ John Porter by their votes, 10 were Re-
publicans. OF the rs who were not willing to
'.vindicato' him. only one, Mr.. Converse, was
Democrat Eighty-six of Porters support
ers are from the Southern States, most of them
men who we're striving for the success of the
confederacy 20 years ago.
The Complroller's report for the past month
shows the net funded debt of Washington,
Jan. 81, 1884, was 1872 7l2,524.
The President will give his first reception to
the public for the season, Tuesday evening
next, from to 10 O'Clock. Ga Wednesday
evening the President will give state dinner
to the members of the diplomatic corps.
The JOINT committee on library in consulta-
tion today with the committee of the trustees
of the Marshall memorial fund in respect to
the selection of site for the statue Of Chief
Justice Marshall, determined to place the
statue in the Capitol grounds, on the green up
on the west front, and in a line with the mid
die entrance to the building. The Statue is to
face westward, and is expected to be in posi-
ton in three months.