The National tribune., 1895-06-20

Illinois is ilumined with the free silver blaze.
and Senator Palmer, Representative Ben
Cable and others are trying to beat it out. The
| Republicans are saying nothing. In Ohio the
Democrats are divided. with A. w. Thurman
for silver aud Senator Brice and exGov. Camp.
bell for sound money. The free coinage senti-
nent in the Republican party is at minimum
In Iowa both Democrats and Republicans are
| split within themselves on the question. In the
far West silver rules all. and they stand ready
| to support a silver candidate. no matter what
party he leads.
In Alabama silver clubs are being organized
in almost evcry County, with the view of secur-
ing the election of delegates favorable TO silver
| to attend the next National Democratic Con-
yention. Intense interest is being manifested
| all over the State. As for Tennessee, it is in
| danger of being torn asunder No sooner has
1t experienced an Anti-silyer Convention than
il is delnged with advocates of the white metal,
| headed by Senator Harris, who, with express
i've language, announces his intention Of fight
| ing for silver until very warm place rivals
the Arctic region.
An amusing story of Mr.. Evarts was revived
the other day. That statesnlans long sentences
in his documents of state were the bane of
the telegraph editors who were compelled to
prepare the telegraphc reports of them for the
daily papers. The humorists of the country were
turning out mass of interesting paragraphs
at Mr.. Evartss expense account of his in
volved STYLE ana for some time they had II all
their way. One day tho Secretary of State, in
his quaint way. remarked to a newspaper man
who teased him about his style: Yes, ! am
aware that there are two classes of people who
dislike long sentences-criminas and news
paper men," The wits had nothing more to
say after that
New rules for the Government Printing
Office, signed by the President, provide for the
grouping Of the force into classes, on basis of
compensation. They provide for practical,
competitive examinations, and for places for
which examinations are not practical, for the
registration of applicants, and their appoint
ncnt in the order of registration. Limitations
of age are fixed at 81 TO ID for men, and Is to
80 for women. No application may be received
if tho applicant has not served at least five
years at the particular trade, one year of which
must have been rendered as joHrneyman. In
other respects the requirements for examina-
ton arc similar 10 those in other branches of
the classified service. At last there is Civil
Service reform in this Department.
II
The income tax returns made to internal
revenue collectors under the late statute are
being gradually delivered at the Treasury De-
partment. in pursuance OF orders issued by
Commissioner Miller the day after the income
tax law was declared unconstitutional They
are coming in by every mail. and only the far
distant dist ricts an the Pacific Coast remain to
be heard from. The order included not only
the returns of individuals aud corporations,
but also all documents relating to their busi-
ness. These documents, containing so many
precious secrets, will be safely stored in one Of
the vaults of the Internal Revenue Bureau,
and will be sacrcdly guarded from all prying
eyes. Commissioner Miller considers them
public records seyond mis- power Of disposal
Although he believes that they should be de-
stroyed, he doubts his authority to treat
them. Consequently, they will be kept intact
until Congress determines what shall he done
with them. 1T is said that the Treasury De-
psrtment will recommend their complete de-
struction by fire or maceration.
Representative Mercer. Of Nebraska, met
with an uncomfortable experience recently in
Japan. Mr.. Mercer is in that country on his
honeymoon trip. with Congressman DoOittle
as one of the travelling party. After seeing the
sights Of Kobe they started TO 90 by train to
Kioto. At the station Dir. Mercer loitered
about on the platform. expecting to hear "All
aboard" cried before the train started. The
others were inside Suddenly the train started
aud was under way before Mercer observed it.
He made a dash and managed ts get on the
rear car.
This is a violation of japanese law. The
guard saw him, stopped the train and, not
withstanding his protest. placed him in the
custody OF Japanese policeman. who marched
him off. Mercer "buel5ed in true Western
style. but il was useless. The Japanese could
not understand a word he said.
Mr. Mercer was taken TO the police barracks.
aud then the American Consul sent for.
When the Consul found him be was sitting on
a stool in the station house, with small Ameri-
can flag across his lap and indulging in some
very expressive adiectives
Apologies were made aud Mercer was taken
in charge by the Consul. bnt the japanese Off
cals made report of the affair TO Toxic and
through Minister Dunn there have been mutual