Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-02-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondence of the Standard.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 10. 1883.

cleveland Sreatiy pleaseu the DeihO-
Gratis and woefully displeased the
Mugwumps and the Republicans. 1t
was his refusal to approve the new
ly proposed civil service rule requiring
officials to file their reasons for the re-
moval of subordfnates. This ruling
opens the way to rid the service of
hundreds of Republican barnacles
who have fattened at the public crib
until age has impaired their useful
ness.
Another new feature of the new
rules that is received with much salts
faction is the abrogation of the clause
requiring applicants for examination
to be under forty-fve years of age.
This will throw open the classified
service to thousands who have been
heretofore excluded.
On Washington's birthday, February
22d, the National Democratic Com
mittee will meet in this city for the
purpose of calling the National Demo
cratic Convention. The Representa-
tives of several cities are actively at
work to secure the coveted prize
among the number New York, Chi
cago, st. Louis, indianapolis and San
Francisco. If l were disposed to be
prophetic, would say that the con-
vention will 60 to New York, and also
that Representative Scott, Of Pennsyl-
vania, who is known as the closest
friend of President Cleveland now
actively engaged in politics, will be the
successor of Mr.. Barnum as Chair
man OF the National Democratic Com
mittee.
The House has passed an important
bill amending the internal revenue
laws. Its effect is to abolish what are
known at minimum punishments and
to give the courts discretion 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 charac-
ter.
Some scandal having been caused
by private telegraph wires being con-
nected with the House. Speaker Car
Isle has ordered an investigation OF
the matter. 1t is said these wires are
used chiefly for stock jobbing pur-
poses.
Senator Platt came forward early
in the week with o partisan attack on
the Democracy. His provocation was
the Presidents message, which he
triumphantly characterized as a free
trade document. 1t is evident that
the Chief Magistrates able State pa
per will furnish the Republicans with
political ammunition for 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 other foreign substances.
1t was claimed that only one firm
now has pure lard on the market.
Senator Riddleberger makes daily
attacks on secret sessions and execu.
tive business and persists in his efforts
TO talk about the British extradillOn
in open session. On Wednesday he
produced little sensation. As it
frequently does, the chair had de
clared him out of order. The way
ward Virginian replied that he had
learned that there were two sets O.
rules in the Senate, one for the othel
Senators and one for himself. Tht
chair usually found means of declar
ing him out of order.
Several Senators endeayOred tG
make suggestions, but Mr.. Riddle
berger snubbed them in q manne
that caused much laughter in th'
galleries, and the chair threatened t.
clear them. Mr.. Riddleberger persist
ed, and finally appealed from deci
sion of the chair that he was out O
order. The chair did not entertain
the appeal, but raid: "The gentle
man from Virginia will take his seat.
Mr.. Riddleberger did not comply, bu
stood still with folded arms. Their,
was an ominOus pause and an expec
tent hush. After a moment or tws
Senator Butler, OF South Carolina
moved consideration of q resolution
in which he was interested, and tn
Chair put this motion. Then the re
calcitrant Senator, without havin!
taken his seat, withdrew from tn.
chamber. DEN.