Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-03-20

WASHINGTON. March IS. '9C

1t is probable that the investigation of
the Civil Service Commission which has
just ended will lead to no satisfactory
conclusion either way. The House COM
mittee is very apt to take the ground
that the business which they have main
ly in hand is to search impartially into
the workings of the system, and accord
ingly it is quite likely that they may re-
gard the administrative mishaps which
some of the Commissioners have in
Cured as of slight importance, and as
having little bearing on the general ques-
ton. Beyond doubt Commissioner Ly-
man favored his brother-in-law, Camp
bell, but in such circumstances men will
act similarly to the close of time
whether there be any Civil Service law
or no. Civil Service law is immaterial.
But the strange and utterly inadequate
method by which the Commission un-
dertook to try important officials and re-
port upon their efficiency or non-ef-
ficiency-their conformity or non-com-
formity to law cannot be easily explained.
Their mode of proceeding in this matter
will strike the average mind as being
unfair and un-American, and the CEN
sure which will probably weigh most
heavily on the Commission will be on thif
account.
Whatever conclusion the committee
may arrive at the investigation will i'm
press the people at large with the belief
that the present Commissioners are moi
thoroughly efficient. Whether this be-
lief in their inefficiency is due to theii
want of knowledge of, or their want Of
harmony with, the real spirit of real
civil service reform; or is owing to mere
personal lack of discretion, is difficult to
determine. 1t would not, however, be
surprising if the present contention
should lead to some changes in the
Commission.
*.s
Everybody has heard of old grandma
searching all over the house for the
spectacles which were very conspicuous
on her own forehead, and of little Johnny
laughing at the old woman's vain chase.
1t seems to me that the Senate in search
ing for the leakaged Senatorial secrets is
for her spectacles, and it is very little
wonder that the Johnnies laugh. Sena-
tors ought to know that fully one-third
of their number, at one time or another,
give to the newspapers full and detailed
ret sessions, that a much larger number
are always willing to tell, in a
general way, what has been done, and
that there is hardly a member of the
Senate who will not accommodate a
newspaper reporter so far as to tell him
that certain thing has not been done if
it has not. Apart from this, which is
moderate estimate of the general polite
ness and obligiveness of United States
Senators, everybody who knows any,
thing knows that it is poor newspaper
man that doesn't "own his Senator" as
the phrase goes. The members of the
Senator Dolph's Inquisition seem to be
oblivious of the fact, that generally
speaking, every Senator has newspaper
correspondent for private secretary.
They also know that this private secre-
tary correspondent never does any of
the work of private secretary and that
he never receives any of the pay, but
that 1t is simply an arrangement under
which the Senator is to help the CORE
spondent to news, and that the CORE
spondent will help the Senator to fame
~
Every stranger who visits Washington
remarks upon the hovel-appearance o
the city. On almost every hand thi
half-built feature is brought to thei
notice. On prominent residence streets
and busy thoroughfares the view is thu
same. Our great Capitol building in
closed by its beautiful park, is surround
ed by small one-story shops and tumble
down frame shanties. Representative
Henderson's new house, one of the
handsomest in the city, is surrounded
by novels. Senator Sawyer's imposing
residence is likewise crowded by objec
tionable frames. Just below the British
Minister are several dilapidated frames
and adjoining ex-Speaker Carlisle's home
is another eyesore; and thus it runs ovel
the entire city. Sixteenth street, over
looking the White House, LAFAYETTE
Square and Scott Circle is one hundred
and sixty feet wide, and should be oul
most beautiful street. However, its very
centre is stifed by old frame houses
prices are very high, and very few peo
pie have the courage to pioneer such ;
district.
~
American judges, as rule, receiv
small salaries. The House bill raisin
all district judges salaries to $4 500 pc
annum, and all circuit judges salaries t.
$1,000 has been favorable reported, ant
me S Senate bill to give the districts judges
$o,0oo and upward having passed tina
pody, one or the other Of these measures