Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1885-07-18
(From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. July IA, 'S5.

WASHINGTON, July IA, 80.
This is the season Of the year that
Washington is usually to great ex
tent deserted. Government employees
are of on vacation, and the Depart
ments are crowded with applications
for leave. But this year there is
remarkable dearth of such applications.
For one season at least Washington
seems to be popular summer resort.
The explanation is that the government
employees, Notwithstanding the tropical
heat, feel more comfortable in Washing
ton just now than they would at the
coolest resort in the country, with the
perpetual fear of receiving word from
Washington that they had been dismis-
sed.
There is disposition on the part of
some of the Cabinet officers to discon-
tinue the allowance ofsick leaves under
pay to employees in the departments.
An impression prevails that serious
abuse have grown up in connection
with the allowance of such leaves, and
it is believed that the system should
be re-arranged, so as to enable the
distribution, among monthly employ
es who are working extra hours in
addition to rendering steady service
throughout the year, oft the money that
is now paid out during sick leaves to
that class of employed and lose many
days sometimes exceeding $50, in
each year-from alleged disability.
1t is probable that these views may
take practical shape in a general
order governing the allowance of
leaves in all the executive depart
ments.
The Professors of Agriculture who
met here during the week at the re-
quest of Commissioner Colman were
a fine looking body of men, and they
evidently understand their business
Their discussions brought out some
very interesting facts however. One
of these was that out of forty nine
farmers in the Legislature of Tennessee
only two could appreciate the value of
the reports Of the signal service. Forty
seven voted against them. What was
the reason?
The Professors thought it came from
the fact that the reports are too techni-
cal and extended in their nature. The
farmer is not generally speaking a
reading man. Many farmers can only
find time to read the most simple and
abbreviated matters. 1t was generally
agreed that the thing necessary to
make such work successful was FREE
quent publication in simple. and prac-
teal form.
One of most interesting and striking
things that was brought out in the dis
cussion was the opposition that pre-
vailed in regard to the presented
method Of distributing seeds by Con.
gressmen. 1t was shown that the
ignorance that had been displayed in
this way was serious in its results. In
sects and plant diseases, very deleter-
ious in their nature, had been dissent
mated far and wide, and in many in.
stances more damage than good has
been done. 1t was urged that this dis.
tribution ought to be made by the
Commissioner himself who is supposed
to know much more about such mat
tiers than the Congressman can. He
has the means of knowing the various
soils, and the kinds of seeds that will
flourish in them. So ON the whole the
meeting was grand success. 1t gave
an opportunity for the free interchange
of opinions and information and estab-
lished closer relationship between
the colleges and the Department.
When the plan for interchange of in
formation is fully perfected great ad-
ditional good will follow
The President yesterday became the
guest of the Woodmont Rod and Gun
Club. The party consisted of Secre-
taries Manning, Lamar and Whitney,
and Postmaster General Villas. They
will spend Sunday very quietly in the
charming club house in the mountains,
and the President is likely to enjoy
his visit very much. The party left
last evening and will return to-mor-
row. Mr.. Arthur was the first Presi-
dent who was entertained by the Club.
A special wire has been connected
from the club house at Woodmont to
White House in order that the Presi-
dent may have an opportunity to talk
with Colonel Lamont to-day. He will
be kept informed of the condition of
Mrs. Bayard, should she survive, and
any news of Importance will be trans
mitted to him.
Miss Cleveland has passed very
pleasant week, having received exceed
ingly pleasant news from her publish
ers in regard to the sale of her book.
The comments upon it too, have been
favorable. / notice that the New
York Tribune occupied a column on
Thursday, and wound up with some
very complimentary sentences.