The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-02-16
Washing gtOn Letter.

" A0h1NdIOSs II. " J. rCo. w. AOo''
One of the latest acts of President
Cleveland greatly pleased the Demo
Gratis and wofully displeas.d the Mug
wumps and Republicans. 1t was his
refusal to approve the newly proposed
civil service rule requiring officials tU
file their reasons for the removal OF
subordinates, This ruling opens the
way to rid the service of hundreds OF
Republican barnacles who have fatten
ed at the public crib until age has i'm
paired their usefulness. Another fea
ture of the new rules that 10 received
with much satisfaction is the abrOga-
ton of the clause requiring applicants
for examination to be under forty five
years of age. This will throw open
the classified service to thousands who
have been heretofore excluded.
On Washipgton's birthday, Feb %,
the National Democratic Committee
will meet in this city for the purpos e
of calling the National Democratic
Convention. The representatives OF
several cities are actively at work to
secure the coveted prize, among the
number New York, Chicsgo, st. Louis
Indianapolis and San Francisco. If ]
were disposed to be prophetic, wouid
say the Convention will go to New
York. and also that Representative
Scott, of PenDsylvania. who is know
as the closest friend of PresidentCleve
land now actively engaged in politics,
will be the successor of Mr. Barnum
as Chairman of the National Demo.
cratic Committee.
The House hiss passed an important
bill amending the Internal Revenue
laws. Its effect is to abolish what are
known rs minimum punishments and
to give the courts discretion to impose
fines 10 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 men.
ton, most of them being of a private
character.
Some scandal having been caused by
private telegraph wires being connect
ed with the House, Speaker Carlisle
mas ordered an Investigation of the
matter. 1t is said these wires are
used chiefly for stock iobbing purposes
Senator Pit e forward early in
the week with partisan attack on the
Democracy. His provocation was the
Presidents Message, which he tri
umphantly characterized as a free
trade document. It is evident that
the Chief Magistrates able State paper
will furnish the Republicans political
ammunition for long time yet.
Another fight, similar to the Oleo-
controversy is brewing in
the Senate. It is the bill to prevent
the adulteration of lard with cotton
seed oil and other foreign substances.
1t was claimed that only one firm now
has pure lard on the market.
Senator Riddleberger makes daily
on secret sessions and execu.
tive business, and persists in his efforts
to talk about British Extrsdition In
open session. On Wednesday he pro-
duced little sensation. AS it fire..
quently does, the Chair had declared
him out Of order. The wayward Wiz
ginian replied that he had learned
that there were two sets of rules in
the Senate, one for the other Senators
aud one for himself. The Chair usu-
ally found means of declaring him out
Of order.
SeveralSenators endeayored to make
but Mr.. Riddleberger
them in manner that caused
much laughterin thegalleries, and the
Chair threatened to clear them. Mr..
persisted, and finally ap-
pealed from a decision Of the Chair
hat he was out Of order. The Chair
lid not entertain the appeal, but said,