Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-11-18
EASTERN NEWS.
m~sArs 70 ras rosr-nrsLLIsrscsu


Usshinsfsu Territory Case.
v,smxgros, Nov. 1.-THE Secretary
- Ietsrior and Assistant Secretary
80 today heard argument In the case
~ Northern PsciGo Riilroad Con
- Va. Gailford Miller, on appeal
- The deci.ion Of the Commissioner
= ne Land ONE. The matter at issue
= - GREAT interest TO railroad land
.s,t c,m oapies, a. il involves the right
3 ~;shdrswal by the Government Of
s.ds for indemnity purposes. The
a.mmissioner decided thai sasa with
sssgsls we're Illegal, and revoked the
srdss vithdrauing the lands included
: The indemnity grant 70 the Northern
p.sieo. From that decision the railroad
.oupspy appealed to the Secretary.
atyes asd aarbew Impreve@ests.
WasHrSoTos, Nov. i6 The En-
asser, report to tbs Secretary Of War.
4 regard 10 the Improvement Of riv-
~ and harbors, has not yet been made
sablie. Il IL still In the printers hands.
1 rsooftsr gathered the foIloxing .nfor
nssion from tina proofs of the report:
Pr the Improvement of the Columbia
ssd willamette rivsrs. from Portl and
. Astoria. the sum Of f407 900 10 recon-
uspded for tbs next fiscal year. Toe
snount required TO complete the i'm
usoysmeuts ct the mouth Of the CJium-
q is estim sted At $3.7O0.090, and the
m of 81 1888 900 10 asked for the next
ksal year. The amount asked for the
Nj fisoal year for Coos bay 10 $i60 900;
s Yaquisa bay. $4,000; for the Co
csills river. Oregon, for the next focal
,ssr, $4,000; for the Skaeit, Stella
svsmish, Nootsaok, Snohomish and
5nooualmis rivers Washington Terri.
afy. f22 600 10 asked; TO snae and
Sredes the Chehshs river. 5000 il
recommended; for an automatic water
40 AZ Astoria, 5000 is asked; for the
soosr Willamette river, $4,000 10
,seoumendsd; for Improvements at the
0.soades OF the Columbia river, 81
moo 10 still needed. and for the next
ssoal year $4,000 10 recommended;
isr The upper Columbia and snake riv-
n t36, 900; and the Oowiitz river
pssds 5000.
eli. ussch Believed from Command.
WARRINGTON, Nov. l6.-Geueral John
p Hatch, Colousl OF the Second Cav
siry. has been relieved from command
a Foft walia walls, Washington Ter
ritory. He viii be finally retired from
ia srmy January 9Th, 1885. He will
make bis home in this city.
me President and civil service Re.
form.
WASHINGTON, Nov 16.-The President
b evidently disappointed In his new
Civil service Commissioners. The prIn-
sipal reason for changing the old Board
sss that be believed he could more
wsdily impress upon the members his
evp ideas OF Improvement 10 the ad
niuistratiou Of the civil service Law.
The old Board had practically created
sysism. and had become accustomed
10 certain routine In the performance
q thsir duties. aad we're thus less liable
lssdapt themselves to any change so
4 vas decided 10 get new members.
vhose balance Of power would be Of the
nns political faith as the Administer
don, nsd who IL was thought, would
nadily become imbued with the Presi-
dsnt's views. Tho President believes
has there should be broader construo
ton 10 the law than now obtains. and
tAat other qualities, besides that of
merely being able 10 answer correctly
sriss Of questions, should be taken
into consideration In the matter of
selecting persons for appointment. Fit
nsss TOT position, capacity for handling
men, aud technical knowledge Of the
dss.ee repaired. we're a. necessary In
~ Sterlfng case 40 high rauk In writ
"a exsmination, aud hence all the
nsnss Of those whe passed examins-
lIon sers submitted TO the collectsr.
ftis should be the course In all cases,
nd csrtificatiou should not bs con-
tasd 10 the -four highest on the list.
M Il the Presidents idea, and he has
, publicly expressed himself. and yet
~ new Com missisners have taken
eerssion TO cay that their action in tue
hsFline css-, 80 far ~ relates to certify.
he the whole list. Ia not precedent Of
vhas they will do In tho future, and
hsaes the Presidents disappointment
essf the fact that the members have
hilsd 10 grasp his idea upon the sub
~ d civil service reform.