Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-07-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.



WASHINGTON, June, 20, 1891 d.
The president to-day presided over II
very important meeting OF the abinet
which WAS specially called to consider finau
cial mattere. At this writing nothing Off
cial has been given out as to conclusions
arrived at by the president; but it is no
violation OF confidence To say that there is
not the slightest cause for alarm over the
financial status OF the government for the
coming fiscal year; there will he no default
or deficit. II is believed that it has been
determined to continue the H. per cent
bonds. which mature in September at 2
per cent, and also that the form OF treas
ury statement to be used after July l shall
be simplitied to give under the head
of available cash" all moneys that are
actually available. The present mislead-
ing form is "a relic from the Cleveland ad-
ministration, which would probably long
| ago have been changed had not the sudden
and unexpected death of secretary Window
occurred. Secretary Foster has been in
favor OF changing it ever since he entered
the cabinet, but there have been SO many
other important things to look after that
it was not until now that time could be
found to consider the matter with the de-
liberation it's Importance demanded.
Secretary Foster brought glorious news
from Ohio. lie believes that the enthusi
asm over Mckinley's nomination will re-
suit III electing him by the largest majority
that ohio has given for years. He believes
also that the egisla ture will he Republican.
General Nettleton, who was acting seere-
tary Of the treasury during Secretary Fos-
ter's absence in Ohio, has directed that
hunorably discharged soldiers and sailors
he given credit of five points in all exam
nations for promotion i'll the treasury de-
partment under ci, il service rules
Ex-Representative Owen, the new com
missioner of immigration, says the selection
of Mr.. Weber superintendent Of i'm mmigra-
tion at the port Of New York, to be chair
man oi the commission to visit Europe for
the purpose of investigating Immigration
in place of ext Congressman Grosvenor, re-
signed, is one "f the best that could posi-
bly, have been made. MIR. Weber is" he
said, ""ne oi the most competent men in
The country for such task as he has had
| much experience and is known as a man Of
discretion and good sense. His duties as
superintendent of Immigration at New
York have been such as will enable him To
look at the whole question through IA Judi
cious telescope, and | look for excellent
| results The whole matter is, however as
delicate AS may be, and must be handled
| very gingerly."
Postmaster General Wanamaker has is
Al. , m
IN the post Office department shall he made
on competitive examinations, which shall
be open to all clerks in the next lowest
grades who may care to enter. Several of
the departments make promotions on com
petitive examinations, but the clerks in the
| next grade who may take these examina-
tions are designated, instead of giving them
/ all a chance, as Mr.. Wanamaker's rule
does. This is practical civil service reform,
and it Will doubtless result in increasing the
efficiency OF the department in all grades,
as IA man naturally works with more spirit
when he knows that he has a chance for
promotion.
| The democrat who made the discovery
that there was Ss7 900, 900 less in the u
). treasury now than there was on the / st
of July, 1880, thought that he had found
a veritable mares nest. He was right
about there being that much less money
on hand, but in order to have made his
statement complete he should have in
cluded the fact that since July 1, 1890,
there has been paid out by the treasury
for the purchase of bonds S113, $40, ,S43,
just SIG, ,S1o,s43 more than the reduction
in cash spoken OF. Thus another Demo
cratic campaign yarn is disposed Of And
SO it will be to the end of the chapter. The
thoughtful people OF this country will not
be stampeded by Democratic misstate-
ments or partial statements of facts.
There is no mystery in the Republican ad
ministration of the country's finances; the
facts and the figures are always accessible