The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-05-15
Washington Letter.
IFI0 8 oar Regular c0responaenl.l
WAsHrNeroN. Nav 10

WASHINGTON, May 10, 1889.
TIE President has made number of
Important appointments this week. The
most important being that Of Public
Printer, which went to ex-Congressman F
W Palmer. Mr. Palmer's fitness for the
position is conceded by all who know him.
He is practical printer and was born in
Indiana, but after learning his trade he
removed to New York, when he edited
and published the jamestown Journal, be.
sides serving for two yearsas member Of
the State Assembly. In 1858 he went to
Dubuque, Ia, to assume editorial charge
of the Times. Two years later he was
elected State printer, which Office he held
for eight years. During this time he
bought the DesMoines State Register, now
owned by First Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral Clarkson. he was a member Of the
House of Representatives during the forty
first and fsrty-second Congress. When
his second Congressional term expired he
retired and purchased an interest in the
Chicago Inter-0 Ocean, then new paper,
and became associated with Mr. Z w Hal.
ford, now the Presidents private secre.
tary, in the editorial management Of that
paper. President Hayes appointed him
postmaster at Chicago and hiscommission
was renewed by President Arthur. Since
retiring from the Chicago postofiice Mr.
Palmer has been engaged In editorial
work on the Herald Of that city. This ap-
pointment honors the newspaper fratei-
nifty as well as the four Ststes-Indiana,
New York. Iowa, and Illinois-in which
Mr. Palmer has lived at different times.
Mr. Palmer was not an applicant for this
or any other position and was much sur
prised when the President requested him
to come 10 Washington. He will take
charge Of the government printing office
at once and reorganize II from cellar to
roof It will not be done too soon eithel.
The next most important of the appoint
ments made were the Two civil service
commissioners-ex Governor HughThomp-
son, OF South Carolina (democrat), and Mr.
Theodore Roosevelt, of New York. Much
surprise was expressed among Republi-
cans at Thompson's being appointed, al
though he was very strongly endorsed as
il had been recently announced with what
seemed to be almost White House author
ity that the President in filling those po-
sitions which legally belong to the Demo
Gratis would appoint no man who was not
protectlonist Thompson Is a free trader
hence the surprise. Mr. Roosevelt's ap-
pointment is an excellent one In every re-
spect. 4F
Secretary Rusk created sensation as he
was going to his Office the other morning
by dropping in the grounds which sur.
round the Agricultural department where
4 q gang Of labOrers were engaged in cut
ting the grass with scythes, and taking a
sythe from one Of the men remarking, "let
me show you the right way to use this
and proceeding to WELD the implement in
a manner that showed him TO be perfectly
familiar with It's use. The secretary said
he liked it because II reminded him Of
home.
General B F Butler and Admiral Por-
ter are having great controversy over the
events preceding the the capture of New
Orleans during the rebellion. General
Butler charges the admiral with running
away with his mortar boats and trying to
create panic, and the admiral says the
general is always drunk and consequently
does not know what he is doing or saying.
The public that believes both men to be
brave and honorable regards the contro-
versy as a great misfortune.