The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-03-31
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Telephone Observation-Disclosures of Sec
retary Manning's Health.

WAsHINGToS, March 26.-Casey Young
testified again to-day before the Telephone
Committee. Mr.. Ranney read an extract
from the Attorney Generals letter to the
President, saying he had been approached
by Mr.. Young, Van Benthuysen and others,
who wanted him to bring suit for the Pan
Electric Company, and that he declined to
hear them because he was stockholder in
the company, but Mr.. Young said emphatic
ally that the Pan-Electric Company was not
mentioned in the interview. Witness said
be was resolved that the suit should be
brought, regardless of the feeling of the
Attorney General in the matter. They were
fighting powerful corporation and needed
all the assistance that they could legally OBJ
tain.
Mr.. Hanback, inquired what the witness
meant by stating IN his direct testimony
that this investigation had been caused by
the Bell Company; did he mean that the
World, Sun and Tribune had been influenced
by that company.
The witness replied: 81 do not say that
these papers sympathize with the Bell Com
pany; but i will say that there is not an
other corporation in the United States that
could have commanded the influence, and
made so much noise in the newspapers
The examination was continued at great
length, but nothing of special importance
was brought out Adjourned until Tues
day.
SECRETARY MANNINGis CONDITION.
Mr.. Manning, son of Secretary Manning,
said to an Associated Press reporter at ii
o'clock to-day that the condition of his
father remained practically unchanged. The
Ill
was passing through critical stage OF his
disease, and that every hour passed without
indication Of unfavOrable symptoms was so
much progress toward recovery. Mr.. Man.
ming said his fathers system was in good
condition, and his pulse was as strong and
natural as that of a person IN good health,
and, as he possessed considerable vitality,
his family was encouraged to the belief that
he would come through all right. They all
realized, however, that he was in a critical
condition and not entirely out of danger.
Mr. and Mrs. ]. A. Delehanty, OF Albany
and Miss Mary +. Manning, the Secretary's
daughter, arrived here this morning. Mrs
De-ehanty is the Secretary's sister They
were not summoned, but came because OF
the alarming newspaper statement in regard
10 the Secretary's condition. Mrs. r. A
Fryer, of New York, Mrs. Manning's sister.
who has been at the house for several days
past, returned to her home yesterday.
hardly said that Secretary Manning's condi-
tion this morning was the same as il was yes
terday. There was a temporary improve
ment last evening" but it was certain that
his condition to-day showed no improve
ment since yesterday.
1t is learned from other sources that the
Secretary passed restless night, with more
or less fever, and that, as a consequence. he
was somewhat weaker this morning. The
rumors regarding a prospective change in
the head of the Treasury Department arise,
probably, from an almosNgeneral impression
that Ir. Manning will never resume the du-
ties of that office, even in the event of his
complete restoration to health.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The President sent to Congress to-day the
third annual report of the Civil Service Com
mission, together with the following mes
sage:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March %, 1885,
To the Senate and House OF Representatives:
/ transmit herewith the report of the Civil Ser
day of January last. The exhibit thus made OF
the operations of the Commission, and the ac-
count thus presented of the results following the
execution of the civil service law, not fail 10
demonstrate its usefulness and strengthen the
| conviction that this scheme for a reform in the
methods OF administration OF the Government is
no longer an experiment. Wherever this reform
has gained foothold. ii has steadily advanced in
the esteem of those charged with public admins
4
| government have constantly been confirmed in
4 their high estimate of its value and efficiency
lie service plainly apparent and with its promise
OF increased usefulness easily appreciated, this
cause is commended to the liberal care and zeal
| (Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND
The report says applicants have been ex-
| amined within the year from every State OF
the Union, and from every Territory except
Utah. The whole number OF persons ex.
amined during the year has been 1902, OF
| whom 6,S72 were males and 730 were fe-
males. The whole number thus far exam
ined since the act was passed has been II ,49l.
| or those examined trihe less than two
thirds succeeded. The whole number oi
appointments made during the past year
from those examined has been ,s76, each for
the probationary period of six months. II
to these we add 9, 200, the number made dur.
ing the previous eighteen months under the
rules, 1t shows that 4, ,476 have been appoint
ed in two years. Every one of the examina.
tions has been open 10 all alike, without re-
gard to political or religious opinions.
About 1000 Republicans and about 1900
| Democrats have secured places in the public
service under the civil service act.
The report states many particulars of the
evils that were to be removed and how fal
| they have been remedied under the new
system based on free, open competition oil
merit. Political assessments have been in a
considerable measure suppressed; solicita
ton ana pressure for appointments have
been greatly limited; members Of Congress:
have been relieved from much annoyance
those administering the Government have
had their time much less taxed by office
seekers than formerly, and have consequent
| ly much more time for doing the public
work. The ability to dictate appointment:
and enforce assessments, which has been the
strength and the profit of partisan manipu
iators and demagogues, has, the report says
faithful study in the schools and good char