Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June 18th, 1886.


During the week many more
names have been added to the long
list of those who have been required
by the new powers to step out OF
Office in order to make place for
Democrats. The sweeping out of
Republican officials does not yet
meet the wishes OF General Logan
however. He made a tour of the
Executive Departments on Friday
last, calling upon old friends and
paying respects to new officials. To
The latter he said his only request
was that his Office holding consti-
tuents be relieved with a little more
rapidity. The Senator is firm in the
conviction that as no Republican
would think of asking a Democratic
administration for Office, neither
should Republicans remain in Office
under Democratic rule unless special
" requested to do so. But few Gov
eminent clerks can afford to be proud
and independent. Many are dis
abled, old and have large families.
A few days ago chief of division
in the Treasury Department was re-
quested to resign by Secretary Man
ming. He refused to do SO as no
charge could be made against him.
He was then given the alternative
of accepting a clerkship or of being
summary dismissed. He conclud-
ed to accept a lower place, and was
accordingly reduced from salary Of
90, 100 per annum to S1,4OO posi-
tiOn.
Nor is the removal of Republicans
rapid enough for Democratic Con-
gressmen who have visited Wash
ington during the present month in
quest of places for their constituents.
They were under the impression
that as the new fiscal year approach
ed, removals of incumbents would
be even more rapid. Representa-
tive Bennett of North Carolina has
announced that next winter he will
endeavor to smooth the way for the
appointment of Democrats by doing
his best to repeal the Civil Service
Law. The Civil Service Commits
sioners have had busy week here
with examinations. A class of over
hundred applicants ran the gaunt-
let for positions as Post Office inspec-
tors alone, although only about one
third of that number can get ap-
pointments now. They were men
from nearly all the States, and of
nearly all ages and conditions.
Some of the questions were peculiar
as would naturally be those asked
of prospective detectives. For in
stance the class was introduced to
to one of the professors of the Agri.
cultural Department, and then ask
ed to describe him after he had gone
out. This was to test their power
of remembering faces and persons.
Post Office inspectors have been a
source of great political strength.
They are kept constantly on the
move and can therefore do many
political errands. There are many
vacancies in this department now
because, coming in the class of
partisans, many of them have resign.
ed, some have been suspended, and
no inspectors have been appointed
for six months.
Another class of candidates were
examined for positions in the State
Department. The questions were in
law, government, photography, PEN
manship, arithmetic, etc. Among
the questions were such as the fol-
lowing: "What is meant by the ex-
tradition Of person?" estate the
difference between a corporation and
a copartnerships" estate the dis.
tinction at common law between
dover and iointure 30 "What are
the principal functions of the De-
partment of State ?" i" What are the
relations of Federal and State gov.
ernments under the Constitution ~
"The applicants were requested to
name the Presidents of the United
States and to give some of the char
acteristics of each administration. -
Another test required the class to
address letter to the Secretary of
State giving the writer's views on
the duties OF q foreign minister.
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