Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-05-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From our Regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, MAY 10th, 1889

(From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 10th, 1889.
The President has made a number of
important appointments this week. The
most important being that of Public
Printer, which went to Ex-Congressman
F. W. Palmer. Mr.. Palmers 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 besides serving for two years as
member of the state assembly. In 1853
he went to Dubuque, Iowa, 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 Des Moines State
Register, now owned by First Assistant
Postmaster General Clarkson. He was
member of the House of Representatives
during the Forty first and Forty. second
Congress. When his second Congress
sional term expired he retired and purchas.
ed an interest in the Chicago lnter-O Ocean,
then new paper, and became associated
with Mr.. E.. w. Halford, now the Pres
ldent's private secretary, in the editorial
management of that paper. President
Hayes appointed him postmaster at
Chicago and his commission was renewed
by President Arthur. Since retirine from
the Chicago post Office, Mr.. Palmer has
been engaged in editorial work on the
Herald of that city. This appointment
honors the newspaper fraternity as we'll
as the four states. 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 surprised when
the President requested him to come to
Washington He will take charge of the
Government Printing Office at once and
reorganize it from cellar to roof. 1t will
not be done too soon either.
The next most important of the ap-
pointments made were the two CIVIL
Service Commissioners-Ex Gov. Hugh
Thompson of South Carolina, (democrat)
and Mr.. Theodore Roosevelt of New York,
Much surprise was expressed among re-
publicans at Thompson's being appointed
although he was very strongly endorsed
as it has been recently announced with
what seems to be almost White House
authority that the President is filing
those positions which leagally belongs to
the democrats would appoint no man
who was protectionist. Thompson Is
a free trader hence the surpri Sc. Mr..
Roosevelt's appointment is an excellent
one IN every respect.
1t has been officially decided by the
Interior Department that appointments
in the census Bureau are not under Civil
Service rules. Consequently Superinten-
dent Porter has been overwhelmed with
applications for clerkships. Nothwith-
standing the fact that no appointments
except a few specialists, will be made
until next year. The Bureau is now
sending out notices calling atten ton to
the fact that the sensus year begins June
1, 1889, and ends May 81, 1890, and ask
ing that the physicians Of the country
keep a record of all the deaths in thei1
vicinity during that period. Registers
for that purpose will be mailed te
| physicians on application.
One old soldier was made supremely
happy this week or as happy as mar
who has been totally blind for more thar
| twenty years can be. His name is Friedrich
Schweagor member of the 10Th, Pen
nsylvanian volunteers, and the cause o1
| his JOY was the allowance of his pension
by Commissioner Tanner. He gets $13,
600 for arrears of pension and $75 a
month for the rest of his life.
Secretary Rusk created sens alton a!
he was going to his office the other morn
ing by dropping in the grounds, which
surround the Agricultural Department,
where gang of Laborers were engaged
in cutting the grass with scythes, an(
taking scythe from one of the men re
|
way to use this" and proceeding to wielt
the implement in manner that showed
him to be perfectly familiar with it's use
The Secretary said he liked it because i
reminded him of home.
General B. F. Butler and A dmiral Por
ter are having great controversy owe
the events preceding the capture O
New Orleans during the rebellion Gen
Butler charges the Admiral with runnin,
away with his mortar boats and trying t,
create panic, and the Admiral says tn
General is always drunk, and consequent,
does not know what he is doing or saying
The public that believes both men to b,
brave and honorable regards the con
troversy as a great misfortune.
| Merit Wins,
\ ~.