Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June 9Th, 18s


WASHINGTON, June Sth, 1886.
With the daily sessions of the
Charity Congress which is now be-
ing held in this city; with a dozen
or two school commandments which
have taken place, and with the
tearing to tatters of the Civil Service
rules by the new Administration
through its official changes, there
has been no lack of interest in the
city during the past week.
The Charity Convention is one Of
the most notable that has been held
here. There are several hundred
delegates, nearly every one ofwhom
holds an important place in the
charitable or reform work of the
state from which he or she comes.
Nearly every state in the Union and
some of the Territories are repre-
sented by men and women who
have rendered distinguished service
in the management of prisons, asyl
ums. industrial schools, reformator.
les, almshouses, insane, hospitals,
and other public institutions. Most
Of them have given their lives to the
work in which they are enlisted
The object of the Conference is to
discuss topics connected with aid to
the helpless and fallen, to secure the
abandonment of abuses and the
adoption of better methods. This is
the twelfth annual session of the
organization. The meetings are
largely attended, and many promi-
nent people of the city take active
interest in them. The President at
tended their meeting for the discuss.
ion of Prison Reform OF Sunday
evening.
That residents Of States know but
little about the system of govern
ment in the District of Columbia was
shown by delegates to the Charity
Convention while they were inspect.
ing the public institutions of Wash.
lngton. In pointing out defects and
suggesting remedies, many of them
wanted to know why the District
Commissioners did not take the
money and do this and that. When
told that the Commissioners have
no money except what Congress
gives them, they expressed surprise
at such utter dependence upon Goa
gress. The fact that the smallest
items of District expenditure must
be considered by the House and
Senate seemed to them quite sing
ular.
The most notable appointment of
the past week, perhaps, was that of
Gen. Rosecrans to be register of the
Treasury, vice ex-senator Bruce, of
Mississippi. In this case an artist.
ocratic Democrat accepts the Office
and desk of clored man, which
gives evidence of the eagerness OF
the Democrats for office.
Rumors have been current for the
past few days regarding Secretary
Lamar's official transactions, and
there is much complaint that he is
violating the civil service law in
making appointments. His recent
acJlon in refusing to give out for
publication the changes made in
the clerical force under him, has had
the effect Of imparting considerable
mystery to his Department.
The clerks in the various Depart.
ments never felt greater apprehen.
sion regarding their positions than
they do now. Until few weeks
ago some few of the thousands of
clerks who are protected by the civ
IL service law were disposed to rely
to some extent upon the law and
even upon Democratic pledges not
to remove them except for cause.
Now their confidence is entirely
shaken. They have seen the law
violated, and no official. however
great his deserts, feels safe for q day.
Ii those who have perfectly molten
slve records could be made to feel
that they would not be disturbed.
the business of the Government
would be benefited.
Saturday has been adopted as a
day OF seclusion tor the whole Admin
lstration. The Cabinet officers hay
ing decided to follow the example of
the President in denying themselves
to visitors hereafter on that day.
The new rule went into operation
last Saturday, when the Departments
happened to be unusually thronged
with office seekers. The latter
thought it an interminable time to
wait from Friday evening until Mon
day morning for a glimpse of those
for whom they longed.
The first open air concert of the
season was held by the Marine Band
IN the White House grounds last
Saturday afternoon. These enter.
talnments are popular and are atten-
ded by thousands of people. who
come and go at will. They assem-.
Bile on the laws south of the Mansion.
and stand, prom enade, or sit, when
SO fortunate as to pre-empt a settee,
While the band discourses music
from a stand.