Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsH1NGToH. june 18th, 1886.


WASHINGTON, June 18th, 1885.
The sessions Of the Charity Con-
eress, school commandments by the
dozen, with music, flowers, pre-
miums, medals and declarations !;
the accident to the Washington
Monument, and moro victors with
more spoils are among the weeks
happenings in Washington.
Since the Monument was struck
by lightning, Col. Casey has been
receiving communications daily
from every part of the country CIV
ing advice and suggestions for the
protection of the structure. Probably
every lightning rod agent in the
country has written about the pecu-
liar advantages of his rod, urging
that it be placed upon the Monu-
ment to insure its future safety.
Many of them evidently believe
nothing has ever been done to pro-
tect the shaft from thunder bolts.
The scientists who examined the
Monuments injuries agreed that its
present electric apparatus is in per-
feet condition. They deem it adyis'
able however, to provide additional
collective points for the lightning
to strike. During the present week,
the damages to the capstone will be
repaired, and the new rods will be
added. There will then be twenty
nine lightning rods on the top of the
Monument. Every morning, shortly
after eight o'clock now, a groop of
people gather ON the stairway at
the west front of the Capitol. to see
the first rays Of the sun fall upon the
Monument. Striking the aluminium
tip of the shaft, they make it sparkle
and radiate for a few minutets, some
times like a silver STAR, and some
times like brilliant electric light,
then the dazzling brightness disap-
peas.
Now that Gen. Grants relics are
in possession Of the Government the
Grant museum will be one Of the
interesting features of Washington.
The collection comprises about two
hundred articles, many of which
carry associations that will endear
them to the nation. There is de-
mand for their exhibition at the
earliest day practicable, and it has
been suggested that a room in the
National Museum be set apart for
them Immediately. Greater facility
will be required to insure the safety
of the articles than the Museum now
possesses. Congress will no doubt
gladly vote an appropriation for fire
and burglar proof cases in which to
exhibit such interesting and valu-
able gifts of the country's most dis.
tinguished soldier.
The periodical rumors of discharg-
es in the Executive Departments is
again current. 1t is said that accom-
panying the half monthly pay, hun
dreds OF employees will receive the
dreaded "yellow envelopes" The
new fiscal year begins the first of
next month, and whether the 'sclean
sweep" so much talked of will occur
on that day or not, Government en-
ployes lork forward to it with great
anxiety. Doubtless there will be
many changes and dismissals. Mem.
bers of the Cabinet have requested
the heads of bureaus in their respec-
tive Departments to make list of
clerks that can be dispensed with or
whose places can be filled by alleged
Civil Service appointments. Besides
the first of July is the date for the
regular biennial revision Of the
Blue Book, and the new powers will
endeavOr to have the names of as
many new officials and employees
ready for it as possible.
1t is evident the office hunters
think there is to be general onslaught
upon Republican Office holders at
the close Of the current fiscal year.
The city is full of the same men who
came here at the time of Inaugural.
ton.
President Cleveland's inexper-
fenced Cabinet officers, and all of
them may be said to be inexperienc-
ed in the administration of public
business, have been laborlng hard
during the past three months to get
some insight into the details of their
Departments. Notwithstanding their
official ignorance, they have enter
tanned some novel and original ideas
with regard to the transaction of
business and have tried to introduce
them in their several Departments.
They have failed completely in
some instances, for there are certain
systems of routine which will have
to be adhered to under any and all
administrations. The new officials
are impressed that they must do
something different from their pred
ecessors something's mo matter what,
and do it in the name of reform
They also decline to receive any in.
formation or suggestions from old
matter how well inform.
ed or how sincere the latter NAV be.
Another innovation that is talking
Of is to do away with the colored
men messengers in the Departments,
and putin their stead small white
boys, such as are now employed in
the Senate and House of Represen.
tatlyes.
.Ns.
NEWARK q Tupa19 Tho brol~o