The Washington critic., 1886-08-11

railroad officials do nothing more
than complain Of the high prop 'rly
tax which they have to pay, but they
II ost bitterly dcnouncc the franchise
tax. There would seem to be
something mysterious about the
latter II is said that it is
determined by the State Assessors
in this way; They first find out how
much money the State needs over and
above the amount of the tax on the
real property of the railroads, aud
then place the franchise tax at a figure
which will make up what is wanted.
Then the railroads pay the whole cx.
pcnses of the Government; and 1t is to
see If they cannot get out of it in some
way that the railroads propose to or
ganize. They will have a tough fight
of 1t before them, for they have a
shrewd and very determined set OF
gentlemen to contend with.
THE Civil Service Commissioners
have, tits said, issued in pamphlet form
their opinion of Mr.. Ne0zey's alleged
violation of the civil service law while
he was postmaster at Baltimore. There
is not much probability of Mr.. Veazey
making an answer TO this brochure,
because there Is no reason In 1t. Mr..
Ncazcy, 1t will be remembered, turned
out nearly every Republican In the
Baltimore postoilice, put Democrats in
their places, and resigned before the
Civil Service Commissioners knew
what he was about Under the cir
cumstGncrs IL is the Commissioners,
and not Mr.. Neazcy, upon whom the
making of warm weather rema rks de
wolves.
TUE one hunlredth anniversary Of
the Constitutional Convention of the
United States, which met at Annapolis
in 1856, is to be celebrated at the State
capital of Maryland some time in Oc.
tobcr, the exact day not yet bcing
fixed. The arrangements are In charge
of the Historical Society Of Anne Ar.
undcl County, and delegations are AL.
ready assured from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Delaware, New York and Vir.
ginia. 1t is expected that each dele
gate will come prepared TO read a bi-
ographical sketch Of some member
who participated in the Annapolis
convention.
Mr.. A. S. Abel, proprietor OF the
Baltimore Sun, celebrated the S0th
anniversary of his birth yesterday at
Guilford, his Baltimore County resi-.
dence. 1t was an occasion of many
congratulations and the venerable gen
tleman was fairly overwhelmed with
loving remembrances from his sons
daughters and grandchildren. Crowned
with years and the best gifts OF for
tune, Mr., Abel is one of the very few
men Mt his time of life who give prom
Use of surviving many happy and use
full years longer.
II the increased pension claimed by
State Senator Farris of Missouri get,
through the Pension Office, with {
handsome lot of arrears besides, a
now seems probable, the claiman
will have cause to be everlastingly
grateful to the President for veto
ing the bill which passed Congress
for his relief. This measure mad,
no provision for arrears. Blessing
are not often disguised in executive
vetoes, but it may be so in this case.
OUR esteemed contemporary say
that Marx Twain has been in Philadel
phia several DAYS. and that he spen
most of his time sleeping. If Mari
will continue to sleep and refrain from
aillicting the community with literary
chestnuts which wear gray whisker!
and are supposed by himself to be new
and funny, all will be forgiven.
The entente cordiale between Presi
dent Cleveland and the editor of ou
esteemed contemporary, the Washing
ton Post, which promised TO be one o
the leading attractions of this celebra
ted summer resort, seems to have be
come considerably strained.
IT transpires that Editor Cutting i
an Ohio man after all. This" say
the New York Graphic, explain
everything"
Mr.. BLAINE has opened the cam
paign at Bar Harbor by liberal sui
scription to the Methodist church O
that place.