Nevada County picayune., 1888-02-15
WASHINCTONTOPICS. Weekly Budget ofNews From the
 National Capital.
From our Special Correspondent

Mugwumps and Republicans. It was his refusal to approve the newly proposed civil service rule requiring to file their reasons for the removal of subordinate. Thisirulings opens the way to rid the service of hundreds of Republican barnacles who have fattencd at the public crib until age has impaired their useful ness.
 Another feature of the new rules that is received with much satisfac- ton is the abrOgation of the clause requiring applicants fo: examination to be under forty-iye years of age. This will throw open the classified service to thousands who have here tofore been excluded.
 On Washington birthday. Feb. 22d. the National Democratic Com mittee will meet in this city for the purpose of calling the National Dem ocratic Convention. The represent atives of several cities are actively at work to secnre the coveted prize -among the number New York Chi cago. St. Louis. Indianapolis and San Francisco. If were disposed to be prophetic, l would say that the con vention will go to New York, and al- so that Representative Scott, of Pennsylvania. who is known as the closest friend of President Cleveland now actively engaged in politics, will be the successor of MT. Barnum as Chairman of the National Democrat ic Committee.
 The House has passed an impor- tant bill amending the Internal Rev enue laws. Its effect Is to abolish what are known as minimum punish ments and to give the courts discre- ton to impose fines in such cases - The object of the proposed law is to discourage frivolous prosecutions Many other bills were passed by the House this week. which are scarcely worthy of special mention, most of them being of a private character.
 Some scandal having been caus- ed by private telegraph wires being connected with the House, Speaker Carlisle has ordered an investigation of the matter. It is said these wires were used chiefly for stock jobbing purposes.
 Senator Platt came forward early in the week with q partisan attack on the Democracy. His proyocation was the President message. which he triumphantly characterized as a free trade document. It is evident that the Chief Magistrates able State paper will furnsih the Repubil- cans with political ammunition for a long time yet.
 Another fight similar to the Oleo- margarine controversy is brewing in the senate. It is the bill to prohibit the adulteration of lard with cotton seed oil and,othcr foreign substances, It was claimed that only one firm has pure lard on the market.
 Senator RiddIeberger makes dail Y attacks on secret sessions and exc cutive business and persists in his efforts to talk about the British EX- tradition in open session. On We'd nesday he produced little sensation. As it frequently does, the Chair had declared him out of order. The wayward Virginian replied that he had learned that there were two sets of rules in the Senate. one for the other Senators and one for himself. The chair usually found means of de- claring him out of order.
 Several Senators ondeavercd to make suggestions. but MT. Riddlhcr- ger snubbed them in mannsr that caused much laughter in the galler- ies. and the Chair threatened to clear them. MT. Riddlebergcr per sisted, and finally appealed from a decision of the Chair that he was out of order. The Chair did not enter tain the appeal, but said the gentle men from Virginia will please take his seat. Mir. Riddleberger did not comply, but stood still with folded arms. There was an ominous pause and an cxpcctant hush. After mo- ment or two Senator Butler of S. (. i moved considerations of a resolution in which he was interested, and the Chair put this motion. Then the recalcitrant Senator, without having taken his seat withdrew from the chamber. (. A. <.
 The Standard Oil Trust iS not an incorporated company. iti formed