The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-08
These figures are of interest as showing the


These figures are of interest as showing the
relative density of population in different Sec
tons of the country. The Northern States
have AGA of these cities and towns, and the
Southern States Sc. New York has three more
than the whole of the IL States which tried to
secede from the Union. Massachusetts,, Con-
necticut and Rhode Island form the most
densely populated district in the United States.
With d combined area of Il, go square miles,
they have 70 of these towns; while Ia Southern
States-omitting Missouri-with area of 7Si, 300
square miles, have -. The ratio of these
towns to area is in the former 50 times greater
than IN the latter.
RETURN OF MINISTER FOSTER.
United States Minister Foster has just re-
burned to Washington from Madrid. Speaking
of the pending treaty negotiations he said he
thought the Spanish Government was willing
TO enter into a commercial treaty with the
United States that would meet the views of the
Administration. Spain had felt aggrieved at
the withdrawal of the treaty last Winter. and
this action Of Congress had raised some obstacles
to further negotiations but these had been
nearly or quite overcome, and he believed Spain
was willing to meet the views of the United
States. Mr.. Foster is in excellent health, aud
when congratulated on his escape from the
cholera, said: There was not much occasion
to fear the epidemic in Madrid, if person took
ordinary precautions as to diet, habits, etc.
deal of credit for the energy with which they
fought the disease. The sanitary condition
and resources at their command were superior
to those of most European cities and they were
used to the best advantage; SO that, while the
epidemic was raging almost uncontrolled in
towns almost within sig of the city, in Madrid
1t was held IN check. But Spain has suffered
terribly. The scourge has cost the lives of not
less than 100000 persons and no one here can
realize the terror and des0latiOn it has caused.
Great Britain sent commissioners to observe
and study the plague, and l saw good deal of
Them while they were in Madrid. After they
had got well along in their investigations, they
informed me that this was the worst epidemic
that has visited Europe since the Middle Ages"
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
1t is now definitely settled that the Civil
Service Commission will be entirely rcorgan-
lied. In addition to the resignation of Presi-
dent Eaton, mentioned last week, DR.. Gregory
has also rendered his res gnation to the PreS-
dent, and it will be accepted. 1t is not likely
that Judge Thoman, the Democratic member Of
the Commission, has a burning desire to resign,
as the position is comfortable one with good
salary, and the lncumbents do not have to saw
wood or carry in coal unless they wantto But it
seems TO be in the air that Thoman must go"
with his associates whether he desires il or not,
and the three big easy chairs will soon be flied
by others Among those most prominently
mentioned for Commissioners are Prof. Smart
Of Indiana, State Superintendent of Education
and Edward o. Graves, Chief of the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing. In order that the
ship of state may be kept on an even keel, it
Will be highly essential to have at least one
good Democrat the Board. The greatest
difficulty appears TO be TO find one who favors
civil service reform strongly enough to qualify
him for the place. This fact has a somewh hat
depressing influence upon the President. He
can find Mugwumps" enough TO whom these
beautiful theories CT reform meat and drink
but they do not fill the bill in all respects.
THE SILVER DOLLARS.
Notwithstanding the fact that silver dollars
are drug in the financial market, they are
still being coined at rapid rate. During the
month Of September 100000 of them were
made at the Philadelphia mint. At all the sub
treasures these dollars are accommodating in
large quantities, the supply far exceeding the
demand. The 100000 brought to Wash
ington by the steamers Swatara and Yantic
from New Orleans have been safely transferred
TO the vaults of the Treasury The silver ques-
ton promises 10 disturb the peace of Congress
the coming Winter. A determined fight will
be made against what the enemies Of this much
abused coin declare to be debasement of our
currency by the circulation Of a dollar the in
trinsic value of which is but So cents The
silver men, under the leadership Of Congress
man Warner, of Ohio, are mastering their forces
to resist the threatened onslaught, and bitter
contest is expected.
GEN. HAZEN AT HIS POST.
Gen. w. B. Hazen, Chief of the Signal Ser.
vice Bureau, has returned from an absence of
two months IN Europe, and has resumed bust
ness at the old stand. 1t may fairly be pre-
sumed that any irregularities in the weather
that may have existed during his absence.
owing 10 the inexperence of his subordinates,
Will be corrected, now that the firm hand of the
Chief is again at the bellows. The Generals
principal errand abroad was TO attend the
Meteorological Congress at Paris, the object of
which was 10 bring about desirable uniformity
in the systems of various countries. Being
asked how our signal service compares with
those Of other countries, Gen. Hazen said at
is UNNECESSARILY superior. We have such
breadth of land and length of wire that We can
gather much earlier and more accurate infor-
nation regarding the weather probabilities,
approaching storms and SO on, than anywhere
else In the world. That is one of the benefits
OF the telegraph system to this country"
4 UNION SOLDIER LOSES HIS POSITION.
Col. Robert King, who for some time has
been a clerk in the Post Office OF Baltimore CITY
at salary of $1,000 per year, has been re.
quested to resign by Postmaster Veaaey Mr..
King passed satisfactory Civil Service exami.
nation, and was considered competent clerk