Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-09-25
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
A WATER FAMINE AT THE CAPITAL.
The City Almost Entirely Shut Off From
Water supply -Eaton's Excuse for Re-
sigDing-New Collector for Cham
plain District New York.

| WAsHGNGTON, Sept. 23-This city is suf-
| fering water famine. A break of seven
| or eight feet square in size has occurred in
the principal main in Georgetown and the
| materials are not at hand with which to
| make immediate repairs. The city is re-
celving only half supply of water to-day,
all of which is absorbed by the occupants
of the lower portion of the city. The ma
| terials for repairing the break have been
sent for and may be expected within two
or three days. 1t is found that the valves
| which were designed to shut off water
from water main in emergencies of this
nature, leaving other mains to serve the
| city as best they could, are not in working
| order and it is probable that when the re-
pan are begun the water will be entirely
shut off. The dwellers upon the higher
grounds, including about One-half of the
city who are entirely without water are
loud in their complaints of those in au-
thority who are responsible for the condi-
tion Of things.
Dorman B. Eaton Resigns, Feels Relieved,
and Says why.
WAsHGNGTON, Sept. 23.-The letter of re-
| signation by Mr. Dorman B. Eaton, ch air
| man of the civil service commission, and
! the Presidents reply thereto, which was
received by Mr.. Eaton, to-day, have been
furnished the Associated Press for publi-
| cation. Mr.. Eaton, in his letter refers to
| the fact that he wished to resign earlier
| but out of Difference to the President g
wishes did not. In explanation of his
present course he states that prior to the
passage of the civil service act of June l6,
| 1883, he had held office under three
earlier Presidents, and was then holding
one under President Arthur. For nearly it's
whole period he had served without COM
pensation, compelled even to bear his own
| travelling and other expenses, including
those of journey to Europe. But Pres
ident Arthur without the least intinaton
nominated him and he was confirmed as
commissioners. Though reluctant to ac-
cept, his friends in reform insisted that he
should accept. He entered upon his
official duties with the declared pur-
pose of remaining but year.
But his friends persuaded him to remain,
urging that hostile journals would attack
him for deserting the post of duty Such
| were Mr. EatouS reasons for continuing
IN Office, and he says he feels relieved to
be freed from its responsibility and eX-
pense
| President Cleveland's Reply to Eaton's
| Letter.
| WAsHINGToN, Sept. %. - President
Cleveland in reply to Commissioner
| EdlOl leller OF resignation, says: | can
not refrain from expressing my sincere re-
| gret that you have determined to with
draw from position in the public ser
vice where your intelligent performance
of duty has been of inestimable value to
| the country. The friends of civil service
reform and all those who desire good gov,
ernment fully appreciate your devotion to
| the cause in which you early enlisted. and
| have seen with satisfaction your zeal"
| In the course of his communication the
| President says, II believe IN civil service
reform and its application in the most
practicable form attainable, among other
reasons because it opens the doors for the
rich and poor alike / hopes the time is
| at hand when all our people will see the
advantage of reliance for such an oppor-
tunity upon merit and fitness, instead
OF dependence upon capacity of selfish
ness"
Collector of Customs Appointed.
WAsHINGToN. Sept. 23.-The President
has appointed VIM. Reed to be collector of
customs for the district of Champlain, y.
Y, and b. Bradford to be surveyor of Gus
toms at Portland, Me.