New Ulm weekly review., 1885-07-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Washington. June 9th, 1885.
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 or
der to make place for Democrats. The
sweeping out of Republican officials
does not yet meet the wishes of Gener-
al Logan however. He made tour of
the Executive Departments on Friday
last, calling upon old friends and pay
ing respects to new officials. To the
latter he said his only request was that
his office holding constituents he reliev-
ed with little more rapidity. The
Senator is firm in the conviction thatas
no Republican would think of asking
Democratic administration for office,
neither should Republicans remain in
Office under Democratic rule, unless
specially requested to do So. But few
Government clerks can afford to be
proud and independent. Many are
disabled, old and have large families.
A few days ago chief of a division in
the Treasury Department was request
ed to resign by Secretary Manning. He
refused to do so as no charge could be
made against him. He was then given
the alternative of accepting clerkship
or of being summarily dismissed. He
concluded to accept a lower place. and
was accordingly reduced from a salary
of 50, 100 per annum to 81, 400 posi-
ton.
Nor is the removal Of Republicans
rapid enough for Democratic Congress
men who have visited Washington dur
ing the present month in quest of places
for their constituents. They we're un-
der the impression that as the new fis-
cal year approached. removals of in
cumbents would be even more rapid.
Representative Bennett OF North Caro-
lima 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 Commissioners
have had q busy week here with ex-
aminations. A class of over hundred
applicants ran the gauntlet for posi-
tions us Post office inspectors alone, al
though only one-third of that number
can get appointments now. They were
men from nearly all. the Estates, and
of nearly all ages and a:conditions.
Some of the questions were peculiar as
would naturally be those asked of pros
pective detectives. For instance the
class was introduced to one of the pro-
fessors of the Agricultural Department,
and then asked TO describe him after he
had gone out. This was to test their
power of remembering faces and per-
sous.
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 de-
partment now because coming in the
class of offensive partisans, many of
them have resigned, some have been
suspended, and no inspectors have been
appointed for six months.
Another class of condidates were ex-
amined for positions in the State De-
partment. The questions were in law,
government photography, penmanship,
arithmetic. etc. Among the questions
were such as the following: ..What is
meant by the extradition of person?"
estate the difference between corpor-
alton and q copartnership''? Estate
the distinction at common law between
dover and jointure''? What are the
principal functions of the Department
of State"? What are the relations OF
federals and State governments under
the Constitution? The applicants
were required to name the Presidents OF
the United States and to give some of
the characteristics of each administers
tion." Another test required the
class to address a letter to the Secretary
of State giving the writer's views on the
duties of q foreign minister.
1,lNNl,oM,ra NNlur