Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-11
The statements made BY Mr.. Robert Garrett an

The statements made BY Mr. Robert Garrett ana
Mr.. d. III. Bates, of the B. and o. telegraph COM
pany. before the Senate post Office committee on
saturday were rather important. Mr.. Garrett said,
touching the question OF possible consolidation of
Geographic companies, that such action was not
contemplated. and he limited willingness to bind
the company TO such a contract with the govern
ment as would enable II to control the lines by pur-
chase hereafter at reasonable price. If so desired
The best guarantee the company could offer he
suggested, was its independent record In the past
In tn matter OF express and sleeping cars Ten
years ago. x Is3. 1t had cut loose from the Adams
Express company and undertaken that feature Of
the transportation business itself and pursuing
the same policy, IL had for years run its own Sleep
Ing cars Instead OF entering into relations with out
side companies The failure OF both Of these under
takings had been predicted but they had been per-
severed In and had succeeded II was he said, this
general policyto make for its stockholders all the
pronts which on other railroads foreign corpora
tons absOTb-which constituted the best pledge the
company could give that the same policy would be
followed In It's Geographic department.
when asked If the company would not be forced
into consolidation by war OF rates MI Garrett
said that his company could stand such strife as
long as the Western Union with its load Of indebt-
edness and its Improbable branches
1t may be urged that other rival lines have set
out In contest with the Western Union with the
same professions, but have ultimately yielded to
the threats or Establishments OF the great monop-
oily IL must be admitted, howeve.. that the B. and
o. opposition Is the most promising that has yet
appeared, and If its promoters be taken at their
word II Is In the field TO stay, and has such re-
sources as justify the claim that it can sustain
Itself In any light that may be made.
The somewhat delayed report OF the civil service
commission Is TO be sent 10 the President to-day
AID he VIII probably transmit IT to Congress di-
rectly The commission give the history OF the
workings of the system for its first six months Of
existence and show that In large number o. cases
appointments have been made under the act and
hat. as rile. these have gwen satisfaction
i; is singular thai the standpoint OF criticism on
The new law has been shifted At first II was
Claimed that the examinations would be too diff
cult ard too "boOksh,r but now fault is found with
them beca-se not rigid enough IN these respects
This Indicates that the commission has adopted
liberal and wise policy, as it will be easier to meet
call for more exacting requirements than TO let
down standard or entrance once set
Mr. Gladstone seems TO be falling physically and
his irreSOUtiOn and reebleness are threatening the
supremacy OF The liberal party. The ministry are
reported 10 be divided and distracted on the Egyp-
uon question, owing 10 their leaders loss Of vigor
and while il Is not likely that the vote OF censure
which comes up tomorrow In parliament will PASS,
the popular feeling both in parliament and out of
II IS that the government has made sad mess OF
lis Egyptian policy II 1t should happen that harm
came 10 Cen Gordon in his perilous trip across the
desert, the ministry would no doubt fall under a
storm OF popular Indignation Its best protection
now is that the Tory leaders who would, In the
event OF change OF ministry, come into power, do
not have the confidence and respect OF the nation.
--<>b-
Cetewayo Is really dead this time He could
stand up against the British army, but London
cl,rfa%r-
TO have oeen enlargement Of the heart and this Is
indeed dangerous malady, not only in Africa, but
all over the world Fortunately. 1t IS quite rare 1t
Is suspected however, that what killed Cetewayo