The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-06-25

The Italian Legation ut Washington still
remains in charge Of the Secretary, while the
United States Minister to Rome has been given
an indefinite leave Of absence, which he is
spending very pleasantly at European water
ing-places I'm spite Of this diplomatic sullling
the relations between the two countries con-
tinue unchanged. We still send Italy several
million dollars worth Of refined cotton seed
OIL which she puts in long-nocled bottles with
fancy-gilt labels reading Hile 0hUe, Par"
and sells back 10 us at 200 per cent profit.
Every week American tourists drop 10000 gold
dollars into the itching palms Of Italian hotel
keepers, aud every ship coming from the Mcdi-
terrnean brings its steerage full Of dark
browed knights Of the stietto, to drive the
Germans and negroes from the baTber-shops, the
Hungariaus from the coal Mines the Bohemians
from the railroad grades and the Irish from the
rolling mills and furnaces, Probably these
things would go on in Just this way il there
never was another Italian Minister Plonipo-
Tertiary and Envoy Extraordinary in Wash
ington, aud our own NJ. j. and L. f. TO Rome
should not put his generously developed Wa
bash foot inside Of the Quirinal for a 'coon's
age. Ministers may come and Ministers may
go, but trade and immigration flow on forever.
y@=
The other, somewhat milder form Of a diplo-
matte huff, that with China, also continues I'M
abated. The serene Brother TO the Sun and
Uncle to the Moon has not signiiod that ex-
Senator Blair is any less Of persona non grata
TO him than he was some months ago. and Presi-
dent Harrison docs not show any disposition TO
lrumor Celestial piques by appointing another
man. In the meanwhile Col. Blair continues
to draw his salary as Minister 10 China, and SO
does the Hon Charles DcBby. As in the case
Of Italy, this does not seem TO have the slightest
effect on the relations between the two coun-
tries. Chinese tea is Of the same quality, price
and Righteousness, and the Chinese fre-cracker
has the same charms for the small boy, aud the
same terrors for his doting mother.
a@a
No one outside Of Washington can under
stand the terrible pressure there is here Cor en-
ployment. What produces this is, that people
are constantly being brought hither from all
over the country 10 accept positions, which
they mistakenly regard as prizes. Presently a
portion OF them lose their places either on ac-
count Of the places being abolished, the appro-
priation to pay them being exhausted, or for
some other reason. The dismissed ones are re-
luctaut 10 return 20 their homes, aud false
hopes Of being able TO get into something
augment this disincination. In this way the
great army of unemployed is constantly re-
cruited, Whilo 1t suffers few losses Then, too
most Of the clerks aud other employees have
growing families, which also recruit the army
above mentioned. Under the Civil Service
rules each State is given a quota Of appoint
meuts in exact ratio 10 its population, and no
more are allowed. This makes the number
that can be given 20 citizens Of the District Of
Columbia very small-not near so large as the
quota Of Rhode Island or Vermont, where the
opportunities Of other employment are vastly
greater than in Washington. The Census was
great relief 10 this class, for it was not under
Civil Service rules, and while there was an
equitable division Of appointments among the
States, there was an unusually large number
given residents Of the District. few weeks
ago, when il WAS necessary 10 rush the work Of
the Office, several hundred clerks were APP
pointed for 80 days, and there was a still larger
proportion OF these District people il being
thought better 10 do this than 10 bring in out
sders for so short period. Now, the painful
work Of discharging them has begun, and grief
reigns around the Census Bureau. Though
they all knew their appointments were for hut
80 days, there was a belief that the work would
keep Up until the end Of the year and tho no.
tees Of dismissa5O) Of which were issued in
one day-csme totally unexpected. Every
body is sincerely sorry for the discharged ones
and their families, but nothing can be done 10
help them.