Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-14
ANACOSTIA.
CORNER STONE TO BE LAID.

CORNER STONE TO BE LAID.
The corner stone of the new Methodist Epis-
copal Church viii be laid at 2:30 o'clock Thanks
giving day. The pastor, Rev. DR.. James
McLaren, will preside: Rev. DR.. H. r. Naylor
will set the stone; Prof. B. Edmund Messer will
lead the choir, and Bishop J. F. Hurst and Rev.
DIR. Waterman will make addresses. The Messer
Quartet will render selections. The oratorical
and melodic services will occur in the old
church.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The Young Peoples Society Of Christian En-
deavor Of the First Baptist Church has elected
officers as follows President, Miss Florence
Bowman; vice president, Miss Effie Burr; re-
cording secretary. Mr.. Roeder corresponding
secretary, Mrs. Chas. r. Burr treasurer Miss
Bessie Milstead. Committees will be appointed
hereafter.
GUIDING STAR MISSION BAND.
The last meeting of the Guiding Star Mission
band was held at the residence of Miss Annie
Anderson. A Christmas box will be sent to the
Indian mission school at Tucson, Ariz. Great
interest is manifested in Mexico and South
America.
A Thanksgiving ball and supper will be held
at Oxford Hall, Prince Georges county, Nd.
for the benefit OF 81. Ignatius cemetery. J.
H. Gibbons, BENZ E. Randall. 7. Bakery Dyer,
Edward Dyer. J. II. kerby, Bernard Kerby and
Thos. Cassick have been constituted O COM
mittee OF arrangements.
Miss Alice Mathena of Petersville, Frederick
comfy, Nd, is the guest Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Heating.
Master Claude Smith is i'll.
Mr.. Percy Heating has recovered.
Rev. Mr.. Grove addressed an auditory in
st. Andrews reading room yesterday on
youths Morals"
F. $. Lamson is building a residence on
Madison street.
The Wryan residence on Morris road is about
completed.
Mr.. r. B. Buckley has purchased three lots
on Jefferson street and will improve them with
| two-story cottages.
The Epworth League met last night under
the guidance Of Rev. DIR. James McLaren.
The NJ. Z. Sunday school is preparing for its
Christmas entertainment.
The G. p. o. and the Civil Service Law.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Cannot the powerful influence The STAR
Yields for the good of the people generally be
brought to bear on the proposed extension of
the civil service to the government printing
Officer Under the present "spoils system of
appointment and dismissal at will the greatest
abuses and sufferings are often the result II
the public knew how many deaths, suicides and
cases Of insanity we're directly traceable to the
loss of employment here a reform would soon
be demanded all along the line But few out
side Of the offices ever hear Of such cases.
| Here is . common case; hundreds similar to
| this one have occurred: A man with a family
| received an appointment under Cleveland's ad-
! ministration and at once commenced to save
| money by paying for a new house on the in
| stallment plan. When Cleveland went out this
man lost bis petition. 1t was according to Gus
tonic the victors belong the spoils' and
~.
had nearly finished paying for bis house. He
| tried to obtain work in and near the city, but
with hundreds Of his fellows on the same
errand his efforts proved fruitless
He was obliged to mortgage his house that
| his family might live Worry and despair
| finally brought on sickness. which proved fatal
| in q short time. and his family were left alone
in the world. Friends managed to raise money
| to send the family to distant relatives. The
writer has knowledge Of several cases Of insan-
ity and death by suicide Of persons who had
| been discharged from Office here. 1t was the
usual story: First, fruitless search for en-
| ployment; next, actual want and suffering, and
then despair and death or worse than death.
There are nearly 5000 employees in the gov
eminent printing Office, among that number
now made anxious and unhappy BY the antici-
patton Of q loss Of employment soon after the
| new administration steps in. large propor-
ton have families to care for and have been at
extra expense In preparing for the winter now
almost upon US. A government that will allow
its faithful employees to be turned out Of en-
ployment in one Of the most trying months of
| the year, for no other reason than that they
stuck to their principles, is certainly not above
| censure.
Those who have suddenly lost their homes
and possessions by fire viii know how to SYM
| pathize with the hundreds Of employees who win
| soon be deprived Of their means of living. Eut
in the former case, however, the unfortunate
person Is still enabled by his employment to
procure q new home, while the latter in most
cases will be in truly deplorable situation.
THE star but family expressed IL when il
stated last week, In speaking Of this class, that
''thcir lot is not happy oue.''
There Is no good reason why every depart
ment as the capital should not be conducted
under the civil service rules, as in England. q
the Laws Of the trades unions conflict with the
civil service rules they can be adjusted to the
satisfaction Of all
The present administration IL acknowledged
even by its opponents, to have been one Of the
best the country ever had. Let it's crownina
act be one Of humanity. WAsHueros.
/