The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-17

Secretary GrOclOr SdVH
the presidents official family Tor the
last time on Friday, and by the dawn
ing of next cabinet day the war port
folio will be in other hands while the
ex-secretary in his new position as
United States senator will be occupy
inc a seat in the nations highest
Legislative chamber as the successor
of Senator Edmunds, who, for twenty
five consecutive years, has filled
conspicuous place in that body. The
influx of new men is strong, seven
teen coming to take part i'll the de-
liberations and help enact the laws
by which we, as a nation, shall be
governed. They come from all pro-
fessions, medicine, law, theology and
the press having representatives.
Senator Kyle from South Dakota Is a
congregational clergyman, bright and
eloquent with the glory Of ripe man
hood on his side, being just thirty
eight years of age.
A staunch supporter OF his loved
Democratic party is Gov. David Hill
of New York, who succeeds Senator
Eyarts. He is a thorough and COM
plete Democrat, and began making
party speeches when only II years OF
age: now at AZ he is none the less en-
thusiastic. Washington society will
receive him with open arms, for in
addition to his other charms he is a
bachelor
The youngest man who has entered
the senate since the war closed IS Col.
John Irby, who follows Wade Hamp-
ton from South Carolina. Col.
Irby is a lawyer, planter, 81 years old,
having abandoned his legal profess
sion to engage in farming his own
plantation in Laurens county, S. G.
He is an eloquent speaker and very
ready in debate.
Gen. John b. Gordon, aftera respite
from official life of seven years, re-
turns for his third term in the
Senate. His tall and commanding
figure will be notable and welcome.
He ranks high as a brilliant speaker.
The newly appointed senator from
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hopper Gibson
will not be stranger III congressional
hall, as he has been member of the
House for six years past and enjoyed
the enviable distinction Of being pro-
nOunced the handsomest man in con-
gress So the wheel revolves and the
familiar faces and forms are swept
from sight while new ones come to
claim attention and make their mark
upon the pages Of history as it will be
written in future ages. A sketch of
the life of each member of the House
of Representatives would form an in
teresting volume and demonstrate
very clearly the fact that self made
men do come to the front. While the
law has larger number of represen-
tatives than any other PROFESSIONALS
yet there is wonderful mixture of
teachers and preachers, doc
tors and bankers, farm
ers and manufacturers, miners
sailors, carpenters, blacksmiths, tan
ners, book binders and machinists.
Sixty-fve of the present congress
fought in the Union army and fifty-six
in the Confederate; so the "blue and
the gray" are mingled and turning
away from the memories of civil strife,
Join hands to make the Union glorious
forever.
President Harrison has just issued
an important order to the heads of
departments which promises to place
the matter of promotion in office on a
fair basis. Under the civil service
rules the examinations covered wide
field for the purpose of discovering the
general information Of the applicant,
who might be thoroughly posted in
his branch of work, competent and
faithful, yet fail under the crossfire of
questions which would never enter
into any part of his clerical duties.
The order says: "ln my opinion
the examinations for promotion
of those who present themselves
should be chiefly, if not wholly, upon
their knowledge of the work of the
bureau or department to which they |
belong and the record of efficiency
made by them during their previous
service" TO this end the president
that a record be kept,
which shall be open to the inspection
of the clerks, of all those elements
that are cover Il by the terms "faith-
and deficiency" and ga
rating made, showing the relative
merits of the clerks of each class, this
rating to be regarded as a test of
merit in making promotions"
COURT LIFE.
Social anticipacions run high for
brilliant season. Over and over again
the nuptial knot has been tied and
many elegant wedding receptions
and ceremonies have occurred. Many
fair damsels are to be launched upon
the social sea during this month,
and predictions are made OF
festivities at the white house
that will exceed in bril-
liancy anything seen during the pres
ent administration. | wonder if to
the circle in the executive mansion
this old adage has come to nina:
BLESSINGS brighten as they take
their flight"
The program of receptions and din
ners at the White House is completed,
and Tuesday is the presidential night