The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-25
From Washington. News Notes.
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.

WASHINGTON d. c.. Feb. 18th. 1888
Mr.. EDITOR: The thousands of post
masters throughout the country who were
notified by the Post Office Department a
year ago that the pending claims for the
readjus tment of their salaries, had been
allowed, but could not be paid until Con-
gress should make the necessary appro-
priation, will be pleased to learn that the
claims will very soon be paid. An item in
the General Deficiency Bill which was
passed on Friday last, and now awaits the
Presidents signature, provides an appro-
priation of $4,000 for the payment of
these claims, and the checks have been
made out and will be forwarded TO the
claimants as soon as the bill is passed,
which will probably be within a very few
DAYS. 1t will be remembered that in 1881
Congress passed a bill providing that all
post-masters below the second grade who
held Office between the dates of July 1st
1864 and July 1st 1874, should be paid, a
sum equal to 10 per cent, of their salaries,
for such time as they actually served.
With the commencement of L ent, the
soCill season has practically closed. The
last of the public receptions at the White
House was held on Tuesday evening and
the attendance was so great that many
were unable to gain admission to the build
ing.
Blane's letter declining to allow his
name TO be presented at the Chicago con-
venton has created a decided sensation
among the political parties, and has been
the all absorbing topic of discussion. Sew
eral names have been mentioned as that of
the probable nominee of the Republican
party, and if one may judge from present
indications, either Senator Sherman or
General Sheridan will be the coming man.
| Since the name of Gen. Sheridan has been
presented, the question as to his nativity Is
attracting considerable attention and II
place can be relied upon, it can be truly
said that he twas born at more places and
to greater extent than any other eminent
man known to history" The General
himself is authority for the statement that
he was born in Albany, n. Y. His mother
asserts that ne was born in Sumerset
County Ohio, while his cousin is as positive
that he was born in Ireland. 1t is safe to
assume that his birthplace was one of the
three place mentioned, but which of the
Generals relatives is correct in regard to
the precise locality, is a question which will
have to be settled before the republican
convention takes up his name for considera-
tion.
The Ciyil-Service commisslo ners are
likely to proceed very slowly IN the matter
Of public investigations in the future. The
Presidents disaproval Of the rule submitted
to him by the commission requiring requir.
ing reasons for removals takes very large
plank from under the feet of the com.
missioners. The law gives them no author,
ity to punish those who disregard it, and
now that the President decides that the
appointing power is not required to give
the commission reasoas for official actl
effecting employees within the civil service,
the commissioners are 10th to waste their
time on inves legations that can have nc
results. Every mail brings charges against
some officer of the government, but they
can all be settled by correspondence without
going to the expense OF a public inquiry.
Commissioners oberly and Lyman are In.
clined toward public investigations of at
least the grayer charges preferred. Com
missioner Edgerton, however, has been dis
inclined to join bis colleagues In these
affairs. He holds that the right Of removal
naturally goes hand in hand With the pow.
er 70 appoirt, aud that therefore the cons
mission has no authority whatever TO de-
mAnd the reasons for diimisAlS- In his
oplnlsn the labor of the commission is done