Catoctin clarion., 1893-05-18
Washington Letter
'RoM OUR REGULAR CORREspoNDENT

FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
WAsnNGroN. u. G.. May 18Th 1898
Mr.. Cleyeland has from the organlza
ton of the peoples party taken no pains
to conceal his opposition to the principle
advocated by that party, but he has
just given his approva! to one of the pin
ciples that has occupied a prominent
place in every national platform adopt.
ed by that party-the levying Of all in
come tax. According to story going
around here the gentlemen who are am,
bilious of becoming chiefs Of divisions in
the Treasury department haye the
laugh Oh Hon. Carl Schurz. president
of the Civil Service Reform League, who
was entertained at dinner during his
stay in Washington by President and
Mrs. Cleveland. As the story goes, MIR.
Schurz called on Sec. Carlisle, who has
shown marked liking for the reslgna-
tions Of the chiefs of divisions in his de
partment, and spent an hour trying to
make the Secretary see how statesman
like it would be to retain all Of the cf.
ticient chiefs Of divisions. lie made an
impression, although 1t may no. have
been the kind he wished. for he had
hardly got out Of the building before
Sec. Carlisle demanded the designations
of FIVE more chiefs. The chiefs of III
visions are not under Civil Service rules
bat ,ney would like very much no be.
The new commission er Of Pensions has
repealed the most important rules made
by Commissioner Raum for the conduct
of the business Of that bureau, which is
now being practically run under the
rules which were in force during the re-
glme OF Commissioner Black, under the
first Cleveland administration. The
principal rule REPEALED was that relating
TO what are known as completed files
which played such conspicuous part
in the invest TItion Of the Pension Bu,
reau made by House CommIttee during
the first half of the last Congress
There is considerable talk about
an investigation now being made of
fraudulent pensions obtained by all at
torney of Norfolk Va. 1t is stated
that the number Ct fraudulent cases al.
ready discovered are in the neighboy-
hood Of 800, upon which more than
100000 has been paid.
Ex'speaker Crisp, who has been in
Washington week, has gone Aome
feeling pretty good, as it looks as though
he would be elected speaker of the next
house by the unanimous vote of his
party. All talk of President Cleveland
encourage ng a candidate to run against
him has died out.
President Clevelands rule against
granting personal interviews OF office
seekers is not as unsatisfactory lis many
thought 1t wonld be. Indeed. not a
few people expressed themselves rs
beleying that il would be highly bene
ticlal to the public service if similar
rule We're adopted by the members of
the cabinet. At first glance it appears
unjust, but il 1t were generally adopted
and rigidly adhered to it would not be;
it would not prevent applicants filing
their papegsand it would give the heads
OF departments good deal of time to
to devote to the public business that Is
now absolu olY wasted in istening to a
verbal REPETITION Of what is contained in
the papers which the applicants have
already placed on file.
Treasury department officials decline
to say what, If any action will be taken
by them if the World Fair be opened
on Sunday, az now proposed. in defiance
Of the law saying it shal be closed on
that day.
The Capital Of the Nation ls again
at Washington, that is if the Capital is
peripatetIo, and can be carried about
by the President in bis trousers pock
ct. THIS used to be the theory Of The
Republicans IN the days Of Grant, when
We heard Of tue Summer Capital at
Long Branch, and both at Cape May