The Washington critic., 1890-02-23
DEPARTMENT NEWS.

"fIbfhNNh WI ~ L. iJhWbOU vi tiihoJh
vsDia as an Inspector of the Treasury De
partment, with salary OF 81 day aud
travelling expenses.
Secretary of the Interior Noble delivered
an address at the banquet given in Detroit
on Friday night by the Michigan Club.
This association IA a rival Of the cele-
brated Farmers Club of Pennsylvania
and has among its members Senators Nc
MILAN and Stockbridge and other distin-
guished agriculturalists.
Miss +. NJ. Hepburn of the District Of
Columbia was promoted on Monday from |
5000 to 81 900 per anuum In the Office OF the |
chief Of the Signal Service
John j. Bell OF Georgia has been APP
pointed to 81, 900 clerkship in the Office Of
the Surgeon.Geperal.
News has been received here of the death
at Detroit of Mr.. ID. V. Bell, one of the
best known officials OF the Treasury Mr..
Bell was for many years Collector of Gus
toms at Detroit. He was frequent and
always welcome visitor here.
Mr. Thaddeus Il. simonton of Maine was
appointed on Friday by Secretary Window
as q special agent of the Treasury Depart
ment, with salary of So per diem. lie will
probably be located in SOME one Of the
New England States. Mr.. Simonton is
about co years old, but looks much
younger. He is of robust frame, and has
had many years experience in customs
business, having been deputy collector In
Maine. Up to the time of his appointment
he was actively engaged in real estate oper-
atiops and the practice of law in New
England.
The Commissioner Of Pensions last week
promoted George p, Meyer of New York
and John +. Caslow Of Pennsylvania from
! $1,000 to 81 400 per annum.
| Joseph B. Wilson of Texas has received
an appointment to 1900 clerkship in the
Signal Bureau.
The Secretary of the Treasury has APP
pointed Mr.. Augustus S. Bryan of Penn
sylvania to $1,000 clerkship in his de-
| paftment.
The proposition of the District Commis
sioners to tax boarding houses has no hor-
rors for Washington landlades, but is
/ nightmare for the boarders. One landlady,
who keeps boarding house where many
Department clerks reside, has intimated
that she will increase her prices when the
new order goes into effect. This means an
| advance of not less than So q head per
month. OF course there will be no neces
sity for such action, but the landladies of
Washington are not unusually left when
there is chance to increase their receipts
The friends of genial Sam Mcdonald Of
Ohio will be glad to welcome him back in
Uncle Sans service. He has just received
an appointment to clerkship of the sec
ond class in the Treasury,
The resignation of William S. Ballard of
New York, clerk of the 81 200 grade in
the War Department, has been accepted
s. j. Kubel of the District of Columbia
was appointed few days ago to the post
tion OF chief eDgraver in the Geological
Survey, salary $1,000.
The recent death of Mr.. Wyeth DENLY of
Kentucky, a well and highly regarded clerk
in the Navy Department, has opened the
way for the following promotions: d. C.
Morrison of Michigan, from 81 400 to $1,000,
in the Bureau of Equipment and Recruit
ing; Il. A. Roderick of Pennsylvania, from
$1,000 to 81 400 in the same bureau, and
Miss NJ. ID. Routh Of New York from 81 600
to 81, 200 in the secretary's office
Mr.. James i. McGlone of Virginia has
received an appointment to a 5000 clerkship
, in the Bureau of the Geological Survey.
Private secretaries are very useful and
necessary adjuncts in public offices where
, there is large amount of business. 1t is
, part of their duties to open letters not per-
sonal aud thereby relieve principal officers
5 of much drudgery. A private secretary
, should not, however, abuse his position by
! using it to pay off personal scores. Friends
of car able clerk in one of the Govern
ment offices have been endeavoring for
4 some time past to bring his merit to the at
] tention of the proper person in his Depart
ment and without avail. Gentlemen who
have addressed letters to the chief are in
: dignant that no notice has been taken of
r them and friendships of years standing are
e endangered in consequence. 1t has been
U discovered that for some reason the private
secretary in this case has conceived dis
like for the clerk, and the papers have been
quietly filed without having been brought
e to the attention of the chief. We have
= reason to believe that there are many in
stances of this character in the Depart
=, ments, and II would seem that reform is
. in order. In the particular case referred
to we hope the young man, who, in othel
G respects, is an efficient secretary, will take
, the hint herein contained and rise above
:, personal spite, otherwise he may have
= I. cause to regret his action.
u On the recommendation of the Commits
!. sloner of the General Land Office the Secre
tary OF the Treasury has appointed Mr.
: Charles W. Davis of Nebraska an examiner
+, Jf land claims, with salary of $4,000 pei
l. annum.
y Major C. Z. Sniflen of New York, who
Il has been assigned temporarily to discharge
the duties of Paymaster-General, is very
wellknown here. He was formerly clerl
" in the Treasury, and was detailed to thu
Ia White House during President Grants
- Administration. His ability and unvaryinl
70 courtesy made for him many friends, and hi
Ii appointment as paymaster in the Arm,
T. was strongly recommended. Presiden
t. Grant, who held Sniffen in high esteem
q nominated him as paymaster just before TIN
" close of his second term. AS is usual in th
i case of new officers, Major Snilfen wa
d given post on the confines of civilization
u Immediately after his appointment. Grad
a ual!y he has moved northward and his las
:. official station was in his native State. Ill
- is a man OF great force of character and /
q very methodical, q valuable trait in on
t. who has the handling of large sums o
d money, especially when II belongs to th
W Government. Those who know him bes
\ predict that he will make the most eflicien
u head the Paymaster's Department has had
c. NJ. Gilbert, of New York, and E. B
, simonds, of Virginia, have been promote,
in the Interior Department; the first name
from 81 200 to 81 400, and the last name
s. from 81 900 to 200.
'. After satisfactory probationary term O
- six months j. P. Jackson, of Kentucky, ha
- received an absolute appointment to 500
" clerksbip in the office of the Secretary c
e the Treasury.
y Treasurer Huston has promoted w.
es Russell, of Kansas, from 81 400 to 81, ,S0t
70 quite boost, but well earned one.
III H. n. Gassaway of New York, one of tn
9, veterans of the the public service, was pre-
10 NOTED from 81 400 to 1000 in the Office q