The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-08-01
WASHINGTON MELANGE.
Secretary Lamar and tho Civil Service
Commission.

WASHINGTON, July 29.-The rate of post
age ON letters sent from the United States
to Australia and New Zealand, via England,
Briadisia and the Suez Canal, has been re-
duced from Is cents to IL cents making it
uniform with the rate via San Francisco.
Secretary Lamar wishing to correct the
rumors to the effect that there had been
something offensive to him in his cores
pondence or intercourse with Civil Service
following letter:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
WASHINGTON, July Is, 1881
To Hon. Dorman B. Eaton, Chairman OF
the Civil Service Commission.
MY DEAR SlR:-Yours OF the 11th inst.
has been received. l had observed with
deep regret some of the articles to which
you refer, feeling their injustice in common
with yourself. The letter OF the 1st of June
did not in any way reflect upon my action
upon this department. 1t is just and
proper that should 60 further and state
that your communications to me have been
in entire harmony with my own views,
never in any single instance lack
ing that kindness and good will
which have characterized our official re-
lations. While l regard no part OF the
entire country as my own section, yet DO
not regret that the Civil Service Commits.
sion has imposed upon me the grateful
duty OF remedying to some extent the IN
Justice which in this branch of the depart
ment service has been manifested against
the locality of my birth and home. I'm
der preceding administrations, and before
the Civil Service Commission was estab-
lished the appointing power, owing to the
peculiar causes, was not directed as a rule
to selections from the most intelligent and
best population of the south. The Civil
Service Commission has opened the cham
nes of public employment to the most in
aelligent masses of all parts of the country
alike, but the boundless wealth and activity
of the north divert most OF it's best literary
channels, while the South, with
less call for her men OF ability
and intelligence in the walks of business
life offers to the public her best literary and
legal talent. Your commission has shown,
and will necessarily show, III the
competition of applicants large pro-
portion from which to select among those
States which have not had their due pro-
portion. Thus, by means of the action OF
the commission the great word reform in
the department service will be steadily and
benefcially equalized and promoted. Hop
ing that we each in our severalspheres may
in the highest degree in our power contribute
to the general good, have the honor to
remain with great respect.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) L. Q. 9. LAMAR.
FOUR NEW CRUISERS.
The special board appointed by the Sec
retary of the Navy to examine and report
upon the plans and specification for the
proposed new cruisers recently received,
has been in session at the Navy Depart
ment the greater part Of to-day. There
were present Commodores Walker and Will
son, Commanders Sampson and Goodrich,
Naval Constructor Bowles and Herman
Winters. Commodore Walker being the
senior member OF the board officiated as
President. Secretary Whitney was also
present for a short time and in an informal
talk explained why the board was called
and what was expected. He read the APP
preparation act, showing that Congress put
upon him the responsibility OF building four
ships 'of the best and most modern design
having the highest attainable speed and
upon plans determined upon mature con-
sideration.