San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-02-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 80, 1856

lHe prebIueub uuu osoiuSb poooS'
Tuesday evening discussing what t
to do if the senate insisted on tn
reasons for changes in certain cases il
the civil service. Both parties in the con
troversy seem a little timid in open
ing fire, and for the present arc sim
ply skirmishing to discover the posi-
tion and strength of the enemy. l
is not likely, however, that the ISSUE
will be sharply drawn and contested
Both sides would rather like ittl,
fresh party capital for use next fall
The republicans would be glad t.
show that the administration fell be
low its civil service reform preten
sions, and the democrats would like
to have ground for claim that the
republicans, defeated elsewhere, were
making a q desperate stand in the
senate, as q last ditch, to keep theii
grip on patronage. Hence it is moi
improbable that we shall have polit-
ical furry.
The senate finance committee ef.
fectually disposed of the Eustis reso-
luton requiring the February bond
call to be paid in silver, by letting
the consideration of the resolution 60
over till q meeting of the committee
to be held after the date when the
call bonds mature. This, so far as it
goes, is victory for the anti-silver
party, but it does not go far enough
to be of much value to either party.
The side which will gain most by in
action is the one that favors the pres
ent law governing coinage. If the
anti-silver men are willing to shut of
the bi-metalists should be
content to fall in with simply do
nothing policy.
The house committee on pensions
yesterday added an amendment to
the Mexican pension bill, introduced
in the house by Mr.. Woolford, and
directed the report of the bill to the
house. As agreed upon in committee,
the bill authorizes the secretary of
the interior to place on the pension
rolls, at the rate of eight dollars per
month, the names of all surviving of
Gcers, soldiers and sailors and sailors
who served in the Mexican war for
any period during the years 1S45, 46,
AZ and '49, or their surviving widows.
Secondary evidence of an honorable
discharge may be received in case Of
the loss of the official document, or
the proof of the receipt of q land
warrant, lawfully procured, shall be
sufficient evidence of an honorable
No soldier whose polit-
cal disabilities have not been re-
moved shall be entitled to the benefits
Of the act.
The house committee on territories
had the Dakota question before them
At their meeting this week. Hon. L.
G.. johnson continued his argument
in favor of the admission of the whole
territory, and Col. W. Thompson
thought the whole territory should
be admitted as one state, or if q divi-
sion be made, it ought to be from
north to south instead of from east to
west, as is the present scheme. Most
Of the arguments before the commit
tee have been in favor of the admis-
sion of the territory as a whole.
Mr.. Eaton has again resigned from
jhe civil service commission - this
lime "for keeps. He does not leave
ihe service, however, for several weeks
yet, the resignation taking effect on
he 9th of March. It was understood
hat he consented to continue on the
in order to induct the
lew members into the routine of their
luties, so that there should be no
itch in the service. He was desirous
.lso to make sure that no harm came
o the new law through congressional
Iostility. Both these objects are
ow accomplished. The new commits
toner's are familiar with their work,
nd it is evident that congress has no
attention to take any backward steps
Mr.. Eaton, therefore, feels it no
1nger incumbent on him to remain
D the commission, and so resigns,
arrying with him the good wishes of
il true friends of an improved civil
ervice.
There is plenty of bureau material
Mt of which to make q new cabinet
ficer. Both the treasury and the
Interior departments are overloaded,
nd should welcome a new depart
lent as a relief. Moreover, it is quite
roper that the great industrial and
interests of the country
hould have representation in the
ouncils of state. Our cabinet is
mailer than those Of most govern
lents, and may be enlarged without
inharmOnious or eunbrous.
Ience, the proposed step has reason.
The house, or at least is civil ser
ice committee, has virtually decided
D stand by the new civil service law,
miting changes to those which are
by the commission and the
riends of the law as in the line Of
reater efficiency. This being so,
ongress must respect the opinion
licited yesterday from the commis-
iOn, that no changes in the present
~ are necessary or desirable. The
commission say that the existing sys-