The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1885-10-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE PR EsIDENr SHUTS OUT OFFICE
SEEKERS.


| THE PR EsIDENr SHUTS OUT OrFICi
SEEKERS.
Civil Service Commissioner Thomsn Re
neI-Proceedings Against the Bell TeIe
phOns--Bayard's Policy 10 Build up IN,
south American Z, TIrMade-Whi,ney Aga,,
Nescc of Pulaski In Perjury.
The second controller Of the treasury is max
ing thorough investigation on the accounts o
Indian agents. They are reported to be In d
very sad condition, and he has referred about O
dozen cases to the solicitor OF the treasury al.
ready for suit to recover balances found due the
government Auditor Chenowith is also after
the fish commission sharply. He says, ~ find
over but 500 900 of the $3.50 900 appropra ted.
The former amount was set aside forthe i'm.
provement OF the laboratory at Woods IloIl
and other appurtenanccs Of Matching station
for the propagation of food fishes. Not more
than $1,000 are unexpended, and have in
formed the fish commission that will approve
no more vouchers for the maintenance OF club
house at Woods Holl, including the pay of a
steward and retinue OF servants, but will lin
it the appropriation to the articles specified by
congress last season. The other $3.50 0OO, L have
learned after consulting all the authorities pos
sible, is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
fish commission, of which Prof Baird of the
Smithsonian institute is the head. There are
no restrictions whatever about the expenditure
OF this money by his orders beyond the state.
ment, improving food fishes, and this matter
will take pains to lay before congress. Things
have heen conducted altogether too careless ly
by the scientists who are congregated here, and,
as far as possible, propose to rectify them with
the aid of congress"
Civil Service Commissioner Thoman has ten
deled his resignation, and it has been accepted
by the president to take effect Nov l. Mr.
Thoman in his letter to the president says, "In
the great task OF administrative reform which
you have undertaken in accordance with per-
sonal and party pledges, the people will give
aid. 1t has been my pleasure within the last
two months to visit quite number ofthe states
and territories, and it was my good fortune to
meet with many of their citizens. 1t is graft
flying to know that the people confide in the
unequivocal intention of athe president to sus-
tain the merit system in the civil service.
1t Is reform which views the civil service as a
vast business agency. Its search is for the best
attainable merit. In business which is not po-
ltical, it enforces no test Of party" The presi.
dent in his reply congratulates Mr. Thoman
"upon the fact that in the Office which you re-
linquish you have been able, by sincere and
earnest work and by steady devotion to the
cause which you have had in charge, to do so
much in the interest of good government and
improved political methods" The resignation
of all the commissioners are now in the pres-
dents hands but he has not yet been able to
find a successor to either OF them. He is EN-.
barrassed in his efforts to get tirst-class men
for these positions by the smallness Of the sal.
First-class men are extremely
difficslt to get at that compensation. 1t seems
to be understood now that the successor of
md will no nd
that one of them will be from the south.
Secretary Whitney has issued another letter
"to the loremen of the navy yards, to prevent
their being used for political purposes. The
cites his recent orders investing fore
men with the responsibility OF recotnme nding
for appointment subordinate employees He
says: Complaints come to me from time to
time of individual cases of foremen which make
it proper for Inc to state more distinctly than
have heretofore done what the law and the de-
partment both expect of you in exercising this
power. The law contemplstes, think, that no
political considerations should influence the Sc.
lection of wOrkmen in the navy yards. 1t is
your duty to disregard every consideration ex-
oept the efficiency of the men as workmen. am
quite aware tBat the clamor for place ia the
navy yards is so great as to involve great dis.
appointment on the part of those who cannot
be given employment, and that you will be
subjected often to unjust criticism, from the ef-
Tect of which it is my duty to protect you
That will do; but shall from time to time
investigate the manner in which you conduct
in this regard; and If in any case
ind that men have been taken into the navy
yard for political reasons who are not cOmpe
cnt workmen, shall consider it sufficient rea-
ION for dismissal of the foreman under whom
he men serve and shall dismiss him.
An exciting winter is ahead. Combinations
If unexpected strength are forming to attack
1eveland's cabinet. Of course they include
he Republicans practically solid, with some
,elp from Democratic soreheads. Garland, vi
as and Whitney are certainly to he assaulted
With special inves LEGATIONS by the senate. The
Fan Electric Telephone VIII be 1nvestiga-
and Of course the ocean mail steam /.
hip companies will insist on Villas being inves-
igated. The Republicans propose to make the
'ery most ont Of Garlands case. They intend
O have the transaction whereby Mr. Garland re.
cived million and half OF stock when be
vas senator OF the United States fully ex
,lained. In order to do this they will examine
III of the officers Of the company and go to the
,ottOm of the whole business. Mr. Garland is
popular in the senate and he will find plenty OF
'eieRders there. Mr. Whitney is also very pop.
liar. He Is enough OF man OF the world to
,now how to avo Did making needless entreaties.
Villas Is the man who seems to have raised up
10 mas can point to an instance where he has
allied to perform his duty with the highest hon
".
As the REFoRMER surmised at the time, the
withdrawal of the first suit against the Bell
telephone monopoly because of technical OBJ
ecton, does not mean that there is to be nc test
# the validity of the patent Three other pc
iuons have been presented for the bringing OF
uts in equity in the name of the government
o vacate the patent. The department OF JUS
ice has referred to the petitions with the ac-
papers to the department of the in
erior for the "report, advice and recommends
ion Of the secretary of the interior" The Sec
etary OF the interior, in turn, has referred each
O the commissioner Of patents for his report
md opinion" Mr. Montgomery has not vet re-
ported to the secretary ef the interior, but has
ubmitted to him a brief summary of each case.
Secretary Lamar directs and will order that in
smuch as his "advice, opinion and recommen-
!ation" are invited, be will ask all the interest,"
d parties TO appear before him and the com
missioner OF patents, exhibit all the facts and
Inswer these questions: "Has the government
right TO Institute and maintain such suit for
UGH purpose 7" and, elf it has, do the facts
IS they shall be presented warrant or demand
hat such suit be BROUGHT" All proceedings