The National tribune., 1896-03-26
WEEK IN WASHINGTON.

WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15.-1t is understood that an
order will soon be issued covering into the
Civil Service q large majority of the offices OF
Ihe Government now in the excepted class.
This is under consideration by the President
and the Cabinet. The form IN which the
general extension will be made has not been
definitely decided. The President has not
determined whether to make the order
general one. specifically naming the Offices
TO remain excepted, and extending the Civil
Service TO all Of the rest, or TO name specific
ally the Offices to be classified and omit the
names of the Offices to remain excepted and
10 which the order will not apply. 1t is au-
tboritatively estimated that the extension
as now contemplated will involve about two
thirds of the offices at present outside the
Civil Service.
MONDAY, MARCH l6.-The Secretary of Agri-
culture in accordance with the mandate OF
Congress prepared a circular letter to be sent
Immediately TO al known reputable growers
of and dealers in seed throughout the United
States. asking them to furnish at reasonable
prices to tho Department 100000 packets
of garden field and flower seeds, beginning
with asparagus and ending with wheat.
This number of packets will give to each
member and delegate in the House OF Repre-
sentatives and to each United States Senator
$4,000 packets for distribution among his con-
stituents after deducting one-third of the
whole amount in accordance with law, for
distribution by the Secretary Of Agriculture.
TUESDAY, MARCH 1.-THE Tennessee Repre-
sentatives in the House called at the War
and Navy Departments in furtherance of
the centennial celebration to be held in
Nashville next June TO commemorate the
entry OF Tennessee into the Union of States.
They have applied for the detail of some
regular troops from Cincinnati and st. Louis
at the celebration, and of the Marine Band
10 furnish music, which applications have
been taken under consideration by Secreta-
ries Lamont and Herbert. 1T is the inten-
ton of the managers OF the demonstration
10 invite the President and all the members
OF his Cabinet TO attend the centennial.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH lS.-Direct negotiations
with Great Britain respecting the Ncnezue-
Ian boundary dispute have been resumed by
our State Department at the point where
they were left by the exchange of notes of
Secretary Oluey and Lord Salisbury Of last
July and last November, respectively. There
is determined refusal 80 speak OF the details
of the project now under discussion by the
Ihreo Nations, but from consideration OF
the positions OF Secretary Olney and Lord
Salisbury last Fall, il may be fairly surmised
that the main effort now is to agree upon
some limitation Of the extent OF the territory
TO be thrown into arbitration or direct Dego-
Iation and a compromise is looked for be-
tween the Schomburgk line, representing
the extreme concessions which Great Britain
has been willing TO make heretofore, and the
Esseouibo, which marked the widest claim
of the Venezuelan Government TO Jurisdic-
ti0n.
THURSDAY. MARCH g. Cardinal Gibbons
came over from Baltimore TO inspect the
Father Marquette statue. over which there
has been so much bitter feeling. He ex-
pressed himself well pleased with 1t. An
other phase Of the Marquette crusade pre-
scented itself in the shape OF petitions asking
for It's removal introduced in the House by
Representatives Linton and Jenkins. The
most remarkable Of these was that drafted
by joint committee of the A. p. A. Councils
oil Nebraska. They have examined, it is
stated. several records of the so-called discov-
cries of Father Marquette, and, on careful
examination of the statements made. believe
them to lie incredible and unworthy of belief
The story of Marquette's death is recited,
and the protest continues that it is nothing
but old Mnncsinger knights story
vamped toexpress the meaning OF Marquette,
q Term in tourney. There is not enough
truth in the yarn 10 make protest against
it. We believe that the whole story TO
Marquette is q fabrication Of the Jesuits for
the purpose of laying claim TO large extent
Of American territory already claimed by
Great Britain"
FRIDAY, MARCH 20.-Senator Mitchell, OF Ore
gon reported TO the Senate from the Elec-
lions Committee the joint resolution propos-
ing an amendment to the Constitution pro-
v,diug for the election Of Senators by direct
votes OF the people. The amendment. il is
held, does not in the slightest degree trench
upon the system upon which Govern
meni is founded. IL proposes a change in the
mode only by which the States, respectively.
and tho people thereof, shall choose their
representatives in the Senate. it is held that
the proposed amendment is an enlargement
OF the right Of suffrage the part OF those
entitled TO its exercise under the existing
laws, aud 1T tends to render i'm possible the use
OF improper methods to influence Senatorial
SELECTIONS. Willie il is possible that the in
slucemepis OF a wealthy and unscrupuloBs
sspirant for Senai orisl honors may reach and
influence the majority OF a small body in the
Legislature, such "A thing would be impossible
q were the decision left 10 the great mass Of
voters
SATURDAY, MARCH 2l.-The American Pro
teciiye Association announced its intention
TO enter upon the field of National politics
in the coming Presidential campaign.
meeting Of the Supreme Advisory Board of
the organ ization has been called TO meet in
Washington March "a. preliminary 10 the
sessions OF the Supreme Council, which will
be held here IN May. Prominent members
oil the Order from every Congressional Dis
1rici IN the country will take part in the de-
alterations OF tic Supreme Council. and will
determine the part which the organization
will take in the campaign. 1t is part of
,he program 10 insist on the re-enaclment in
party platforms this year Of the planks OF the
Republican and Democratic platforms of1S76
IA which both parties declared against sec
taFian appropriations and emoluments from
public money or property.