Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-07
EXAMINING SURGEONS.
Positions Which Net Good Incomes
Without Much Work.

applications have been received by the
Commissioner of Pensions for places on
the boards of examining surgeons
throughout the country. 1t is explained
by an official statement of the fees earned
by the boards Of pension examining sur.
geons during the last fiscal year. This
statement indicates an average income
to members Of such boards in large cities
where examinations are held once a week
OF from $1,000 10 $1,000 apiece per
annum. The average increase of
members of the boards of pension examin-
ing surgeons in small towns where exam
nations are held once or twice a month
is shown to be between $500 and 5000
apiece per annum. For the time expend-
ed by the members of the boards this Is
very respectable remuneration.
II is expected that there will be a
Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The Secretary of the Treasury is at his
desk again. There were a great many
subjects demanding attention at once,
and they lad in a measure curtailed his
pleasure trip, but he is now ready tor
hard work again. The coast survey and
other questions of similar import, which
had been partially settled during his
absence, would be carefully examined
and a strict compliance with law en-
forced, regardless OF consequences.
WRANGLIEG ABOUT WISCONSIN OFFICES
1t will be noticed that only ITO Demo-
cratic postmasters have been appointed
in Wisconsin out of LAO in that State.
Gen. Bragg and Joe Rankin, the only
Democratic Congressman in Wisconsin,
are very much concerned over the slow
pace in which the administration patron
age is spreading over the State and charge
Col. Villas with frustrating their WE'LL
meant attempts to place Wisconsin Dem
ocrats in office. These two Congressman
long ago furnished a list OF about $50 post
Offices which should be changed, but the
Postmaster General would not comply
with their request. Consequently the
Congressman are at outs with the Post
master General and Badger State Demo-
Gratis will anxiously await the healing of
the breach.
OFFICE SEEKERS FLOORING TO WASH
INGToN.
The Office seekers, who are beginning to
flock back to Washington, express great
anxiety as to the rules which the Presi-
dent will enforce after bis return concern
ing the reception of visitors. An impress
sion has gained oredence that the Presi-
dent will announce that as nearly all his
time from March to August was devoted
w OlllOt bCEhGAHs bHC hicdiGI pal VI ulb
time will hereafter be spent in consider
ing other questions. 1t has been rumored
that he win either set aside only one day
per week, or one hour per day to the re-
ception of callers, or will refuse to talk to
the same person a second time in refer
ence to any particular case. Any of
these rules would crush the men who de-
pend for their success upon their inter-
views with the President.
EVIDENCES OF ECONOMY.
In every department Of the government
decided improvement in the modes OF
conducting business is noted since March
4. Not only are the clerks and employees
more attentive to their duties. but the
contractors aud others who furnish the
government with supplies have learned
that the present administration is run
uing on a purely business basis. The
saving in the matter of printing postage
stamps alone is something more than
$4,000 wear. Postmaster General Vilas's
absolute mastery Of every detail of his
office and his successful efforts to Dope
with those who have heretofore had
things their own way in the department,
has won for him unstinted praise even
from his adversaries. At present thor
ough overhauling Of the books Of the va
rious departments Is in progress.
A REFORM FOR THE DRUMdERs.
There is very determined effort on foot
among business houses all over the coun-
try, whose sslesmen visit w WashingtOn, to
secure a repeal of the law imposing a tax
of $500 year on commercial travellers in
the District Of Columbia. The tax is said
to be for the purpose of protecting the
local merchants. As there is no wholesale
trade here this excuse is absurd. The
tax is of no practical value as a revenue
measure either, as more than nine-tenths
Of the drummers visiting Washington pay
no license to the city, but EN-
ploy brokers' TO represent them.
The latter pay tax Of 5000 a year,
and each rents sample rooms at a
rental OF about $1,000 per annum. One
firm represents upwards of 400 concerns,
each OF which pays S25 10 $3.50 per annum
each. The broker who pays the original
tax Of 5000 clears net profit Of $4,000 to
$4,000 on his investment and the district
is no richer for the tax. The whole sys-
TEN is bad, for besides leading to whole.
sale eyasiOns 1t breeds fraud and bribery.
Several detectives, whose business it is to
watch the drummers, are notOriously cor
rupt, and reap rich harvests from the
brokers and statesmen when they
can annoy very seriously. In the
last Congress the tax was repealed In
EDuHilllGt u tub WuOlts BNb utthlN lilG
bin went through the House it was re-
stored. There is no good reason why it
should not be stricken from the statute
books. AS 1t il a tax on interstate COM
merce, it is clearly unconstitutional.
GEN. M'CLERNAND FOR THE AUSTRIA
MISSION.
II is the general opinion In diplomatic
circles that the President will nominate a
minister to Austria IN place OF Kelley
within few days after his return to
Washington. Il is stated that the man
most likely TO secure the appointment is
Gen. McClernand, Of Springfield, i'll.
This gentleman. who is now very poor
financially, has the warm support OF the
Hon. Samuel j. Tilden, who has writ
ten an earnest letter TO President Cleye-
land strongly commencing him for n
place. Gen. Black desired to make him
pension agent IN Chicago vice Ada Sweet.
The President, however, is reported to
have expressed a desire 70 place Gen. Nc
Clernand in q position Of greater honor,
and II Is expected that he will give him
the Austrian mission.
SUICIDE OF A BOY.