Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-07-11
DoINGs AT WASHINGTON.
Washington, July 5, 1895.


Oh yes, this civil service reform adj
miaistratiou. IT YOU do not pcl,e>e
it just study the removal of Prof.
Mark w. Harrington from the mead If
the Weather Bureau. and the causes
which led to it, and YOU wiii be con
vinced----that Mr.. Cleveland's claim
to being a civil service ref0rmer is a
fraudulent one. When Congress
made a civil bu. eau under the Agricul-
tural department President Harrison
selected Prof. Harrington as its head,
regardless of politics, solely because
of his reputation as an expert in mete-
geological matters, he having been for
many years editor of a journal devot-
ed to that science, in addition to be-
ing a member of the faculty Of the
Michigan University. Prof. Harring-
tor had trouble with Secretary Mort
on very soon after the present admin
istration came in, because OF his re-
fusal to allow the officials under him
whose duties require scientific know
ledge to be dismissed to make room
for democratic politicians, and thai
trouble has continued right along.
An investigation into the business al
fairs of the Weather Bureau was start
in hope that something would be
found to justify Prof. Harrington's re-
moval, but it failed OF its object. Mr..
Cleveland then asked Prof. Harrington
to resign, but that gentleman declined.
He was was then peremtorily removed
the order coming from Buzzarl's Bay.
Prof. Harrington declines to say
w..,.I-n E.,.+ H. wa,,.,T l.4 ,.l-.
he does say tells the story--"Among
the public interests which | have had
steadily in view were the preservation
Of the scientific corps and the protec-
ton OF the bureau from spoilsmen.
When a scientific bureau decends to
the four-year o~fice-holding plane, it
at once looses prestige and ceases to
be a desirable post for competent
men,
A little speculative transaction has
become public that has not increased
the good standing OF tho individual
official directly concerned nor Of the
administration of which he Is Il mem
her. MIR. w. A. Milliken. who is
Assistant Attorney General for the
Post Office department the mar who
furnishes the legal advice for that
branch Of government. has been sued
by a local stock broker for the pay
ment of a check for 500 that he gave
the broker and then stopped the pay
ment OF. The particulars of the tran
saction. which follow, are not credit
able to Mr.. Milliken: He ordered the
broker to purchase 100 shares Of Chi
cage gas stock for him when a speciti-
ed price was reached. The broker did
SO and sent q copy Of the contract to
Mr.. Milliken, who accepted il and
gave his check for 800. Mr.. MiIliken
expected, Of course, that the stock
would go up after his purchase aud
enable him to sell at a profit: but in
stead it went down until his 800 was
lost--the margin it covered being WHIP
ed Il Then Mr.. Milliken went to
the bank on which the check was
drawn and ordered its payment stop
ped. and when payment vas demand
ed of him personally he refused. and
said that the transaction being gamb-
ling and therefore illegal he could
not be compelled to pay the money.
Nice sort Of law officer isn't he. Like
0tuNt NhAn EdiARANAN NV ~NtNtAia NuNi
he loses. The lesson Of the sugar
speculation Senator'S seemingly had
no effect, Notwithstanding the public
indignation il aroused.
BY withholding large sums OF
money which are due and should have
been paid and by "A Juggling system
Of bookkeeping which would not be
tolerated by any private business es-
tablishment. the administration sue
ceeded holding the deficit for the fiscal
year Just closed down To &l2, S25, 049.
But the straugest thing about the
whole disgraceful business i that
some OF the democrats actually pre-
tend 80 be proud Of the showing made
Ye gods proud of running the gov
eminent IN a year Of profound peace
that its expenditures exceed its re-
eeipts by nearly torty-three million
dollars. The people feel about this
thing just as the stock holders Of a
bushes corporation would feel If a
similar showing were made at the end
OF a years busiuess-that a change of
management is absolutely necessary.
True an immediate change cannot be
had. but it has been ordered; and
when the republican Congress meets
the administration power for evil
will be partially taken away, and on
March It'll, 1897, a republican admin
istration will take charge Of the gov
ernment and therem be NO more de
ticits or Juggling with the Treasury
bookkeeping.