News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-06-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
. 1904

| June 8, 1859.
With the daily sessions of the
Charity Congress which is now being
held in this city, with dozen or two
school commandments which have
taken place, and with the tearing to
tatters of the Civil Service rules by
the new administration through its
official changes, there has been no
lack of interest in the city during the
past week.
The Charity Convention is one of
| the most notable that has been held
here. There are several hundred del
egates, nearly every one of whom
holds an important place in the char
liable or reform work of the State
from which he or she comes. Nearly
every State in the Union, and some
of the Territories, are represented by
men and women who have rendered
distinguished service in the manage
ment of prisons, asylums, industrial
schools, reformatories, almshouses,
insane hospitals, and other public in
situations. Most of them have given
their lives to the work in which they
are enlisted. The object of the con-
ference is to discuss topics connected
with aid to the helpless and fallen, to
secure the abandonment of abuses
and the adoption of better methods.
This is the twelfth annual session of
the organization. The meetings are
largely attended, and many prominent
people of the city take active interest
in them. The President attended their
meeting for the discussion of Prison
Reform on Sunday evening.
That residents of States know but
little about the system of govern
ment in the District of Columbia was
shown by delegates to the Charity
Convention while they were inspect
ing the public institutions of Wash
ington. In pointing out defects and
suggesting remedies, many of them
wanted to know why the District
Commissioners did not take the mon
ey and do this and that. When told
that the Commissioners have no mon
ey except what Congress gives them,
they expressed surprise at such utter
dependence upon Congress. The fact
that the smallest items of district ex-
penditure must be considered by the
House and Senate seemed to them
quite singular.
The most notable appointment of
the past week, perhaps, was that of
Gen. Rosecrans to be Register of the
Treasury, vice ex-senator Bruce of
Mississippi. In this case an aristo-
cratic accepts the Office and desk of a
colored man. which gives evidence of
the eagerness of the Democrats for
office.
Rumors have been current for the
past few days regarding Secretary La
mars official transactions, and there
is much complaint that he is violating
the civil service law in making APP
His recent action in re-
fusing to give out for publication on
the changes made in the clerical force
under him, has had the effect of i'm
parting considerable mystery to his
The clerks in the various depart
ments never felt greater apprehension
their positions than they do
now. Until few weeks ago, some
few of the thousands of clerks who
are protected by the civil service law
were disposed to rely to some extent
upon the law, and even upon Demo-
cratic pledges not to remove them ex-
cept for cause. Now their confidence
is entirely shaken. They have seen
the law violated, and no official, how
ever great his deserts, feels safe for a
day. If those who have perfectly in
offensive records could be made to
feel that they would not be disturbed,
the business of the government would
be much benefited.
Saturday has been adopted as day
of seclusion for the whole admins
tration. The cabinet officers having
decided to follow the example of the
President in denying themselves to
visitors hereafter on that day. The
new rule went into operation last Sat-
urday, when the departments hap
pened to be unusually thronged with
Office seekers. The latter thought it
an interminable time to wait from
Friday evening until Monday morn
ing for a glimpse of those for whom
they longed.
The first open air concert of the
season was held by the Marine Band
in the White House grounds last Sat-
urday afternoon. These entertain
ments are popular and are attended
by thousands of people, who come
and go at will. They assemble on
the lawn south of the mansion and
stand, promenade, or sit, when so
fortunate as to pre-empt a settee,
while the band discourses music from
a stand.