Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-03
Has Wanamaker Turned Civil
Service Reformer?
WAITING FOR THE DULL THUD.
Comment on Secretary BIaine's Departure for
Bar Harbor for the Summer.
There is Nothing to Urge His Return to
Washington Before November In
less it be Party Policy for the
Campaign of 1892.
Wannie's New Scheme.

Special TO the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, June 2.-There is commo-
ton inside the posIofice department. The
report has got abroad among the clerks that
Wanamaker has turned civil service re
former, and this is esteemed by most of
them as only close forer!unEer of the end
of the world. Few appear to have any detin-
lite idea of what sort of stroke is pending as
the first fruits of his change of heart, but
there is a general agreement that something
is going tc be done. He is now casting
about for ideas as 10 system OF eNdc-
lions for promotion inside of his depart
ment, such as exists in some of the others.
If he can once establish such system and be
able To say to applicants for favor This
matter is out OF my hands now, you must
go before the examination board and take
your chances" it will be an immense re
lief and vast advantage 10 public business.
But THIS Is NOT ALL
the change Wanamaker is contemplating.
If | am correctly informed he is preparing
to set at work commission of experts who
shall examine every part of the depart
ment alone, and report TO him where IL
could be improved by reduction here and
corresponding extension there. There are
old heads to recommend the cutting off OF
useless clerks in car'ain divisions. Simpll-
flying some antiquated methods of work.
aud the expenditure of money thus saved
in pushing one or two new ideas on which
the postmaster-generalh has set his heart.
1t mas been one of Wanamaker'S cherished
sci emes To leave the department in differ
ent condition Is TO methods than If was
when he entered it, and if by his proposed
examination system he can get rid of
spoilsmen long enough TO enable him to
study out his general reform and put it into
operation, one of his dearest hopes will
seem near
BLAINE's DEPARTURE.
The departure of Blaine for Bar Harbor
is accepted here as indicating that the
secretary will take the long-needod phys
zeal rest. and he stands very much il need
of ii. The time, too, is propitious for u
vacation for him. The business of his de
partment is in good shape, and can be car
ried along during the summer by his assist
ants quite as well as if he was personally
conducting it. The Behriug sea matte,
fortunately, is taking such form that
Blaine's cOnsUmmate skill as a diplomat
and force as writer will not be as neces-
sary as heretofore. So far as the new
Spanish treaty is concerned. that can be ex-
planned to the president by the man who
negotiated it. and who. therefore, under
stands it better than Blaine does. Col. FOs-
ter is in daily communication with the
president and the affair will probably be
disposed OF very soon. There will probably
be no occasion for Blaine TO return here be
the visit of the
CANADIAN RECIPROCITY COMMISSION,
and that will probably bring him back to
town.
1t may be. however, that the disappear
ance from the field of action of Sir John
Mcdonald will give that question new
aspect, and the subject may be second
time postponed. In that event there will
be nothing to call for Blaine's presence here
before November. or even until the meeting
of congress. Unlike other members of the
cabinet, he has no annual report to prepare,
and so now that he is under the weather he
may consult his convenience about return
ing, but it is conceded that much of an i'm
portant nature bearing on the fortunes of
his party will depend on how Blaine fares
during the summer If his improvement
should be rapid under the Influences at Bar
Harbor, and the beginning of fat should
find him on his feet and vigorous once
more, he will return to his post prepared to
give finishing touches to the policy upon
which his party must rely in the
NEXT NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.
If he should not rally Satisfacforily-if the
govt should seize him again and tor
ture him as it has done severely of late
then not only would his return here at all
be improbable, but the party's sheet anchor
would be gone. Long continued indisposi-
ton would of course argue that Blaine had
reached the danger point and must husband
the remaining strength for life itself and
cares of office, and would have to resign,
and the retirement OF the most brilliant
man of his party would have TO be an
nounced.