The Sunday herald., 1886-11-28
RANDOM WRITINGS.

nave caused as mucl sorrow as surprise In the Land
once. His bungling but sensational attempt at
crime at the house OF Mrs. Page was, of course the
topic of much conversation among his official ac
quainiances 1t recalls the days Of his rapid promo
tons. There was surprise then and some indgna-
ton when he was repeatedly promoted "over the
heads" of clerks whose efficiency was undenlable,
and who had been much longer In the office than he.
The writer has business In the Departments from time
to time, and, If his memory serves him right, West
selected for the last of the batch OF hrdclass
promotions few years ago in the days Of Commits
sloner Mcfarland The papers report him as now
receiving 400, 80 1t would appear that his eeva-
ton to the third class did not last long. There was
much comment about 1t at the time, for there were
but few promotions made to 81 ,60O and, while West
had been only short time employed, and his qu2ii
hcations were by no means extraordinary, he re-
ceived one OF the prizes. 1t was regarded as q
tribute to the coiored race, and there certainly
seemed to be q time when the surest road to favor
In the Departments was TO be more or less tinged
with African blood. Probably 1t resulted from u
fear OF discriminating against In the effort to
be fair the line was drawn too far; though well
meant, the effect was bad. Justice and not pettngs
what the colored race wants. In the case of West
his attempt at crime was committed in halfcrazed
condition, 1t may be traced back to sudden eleva-
ton which proved too much for moral equilibrium
none too stable.
Speaking of commissioner McFarlands over
appreciaveness of the spruce, eye-Rlassed mustto,
reminds me Of the frequent Of the formers in
itias. He was Of an investigating turn, and often
returned letters and other work to the clerks with
piece of paper attached upon which he had scratched
in pencil some query or comment and signed an. G.
M IT Is not easy at once to grasp all the details OF
business in such a bureau, and the remarks some
times seemed to the clerks, who, having only one
particular branch, were well posted on it, as rather
wide OF the mark. A bundle OF work was returned
thus labeled TO a clerk more noted for his know
ledge of the ofce work than for his reverence for
its head. lie glanced over these comments and in
structions, and at the initials. "Ah," he said, an.
c. NJ. ?" why non conpos mentis, OF course.
1t must be dull times for news rs 1t Is noticeable
| that some OF our neighbors who give great many
clippings from different papers lately contained
several perorations upon the falngs Of the gentler
| sex. Whenever you notice breaking out In the
press Of the land upon the extravaganza OF women,
upon their cosmetics upon their various foibles, be
| not alarmed lest there Is o deterioration taking
place In the nature of the fair sex. This painful
eruption Is periodical; 1t runs brief course and re-
quires no special treatment. 1t is simply an indlca-
tion that there Is dearth OF news, that the newspa
per writer's Imagination has run dry and he has nee
essarily resorted TO those pigeon-holes where the
| time-hOnored anecdote and the venerable precept
are lurking, ready to launch out on new circuit
through the newspapers. Among all these faithful
sand-bys" the notes on the eccentrcities of women
are the favOrites. Woman may be truly called the
Journalists friend. What would he do In these
emergencies II 1t were not for her wigs her powder
her mustsche7 This Is oil very natural. Women
form half the newspapers readers. They are sure
TO read what 1t says about themselves, though may
be only ancient fable. Men, OF course, have per
petua interest In women, 30 they read with avidity
anything which Is likely to throw light on that
which is often inscrutable and often charming. The
only wonder Is that from 30 good subject 30 little
is made. II some bright newspaper writer, Instead
OF reprnting these worn-out scissorings which have
been doing duty for the last half century, woult
| make notes on the characters and utteIances OF /
few real live women In his acquaintance, he Nigh
improve greatly on these current paragraphs
Truth 10 not only stranger than nction but more in
teIestlng, newer, and more popular.
Nearly every one In Washington, especially IL
Army circles, knows Col. A. ii. Markland, VINO super
intended the Army malls during the war, and was al
intimate personal frendo OF Gems. Grant and Rawlins
Meeting the Colonel, who had been quite an nvali'
for many years, stepping lightly under two hundred
and sixty pounds OF ayoirdupois, asked the cause o
the change. "Washington medical and surgica
science" was the answer. Continuing, he said that
had sought relief for his disease in the principal elite
OF the country, but without any appreclabe success
|
physicians and surgeons OF this city to place hmse
under the care and treatment OF Dr. D. Carroll MOI
gan OF this city, that he has done 30, and that ih
two hundred and sixty pounds OF ayolrdupois an
the rejuyenated health was The result. My frien
had been treated for catarrh for many years, whe
IN fact the real and original trouble was an aggra
waiting tumor In the head, which had been skilfull
removed. 1t is evident that the very beat medics
science IN all Its branches can be had In this city
and there is for our citizens 10 go abroad 10
treatment for any OF the Ills TO which flesh IL he'll
Aside from all this, is climate makes Washington
sanaTum at all times,
> "The appointment Of Surgeon John Moore to th
rank OF Surgeon General OF the Army Is only one Q
the evidences that modest merit sometimes has II
reward. During the war Surgeon Moore was note
for faithful and unostentatious discharge OF duil
and the Adjutant General OF the Army, In which Il
served as Medical Director, used 10 compliment M
for never asking nything for himself" said one q
|, his Army comrades when II was announced that N
4 appointment had been conferred on Surgeon moore
| Era.cp,a War Footing,