The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-06

under the Mckinley regime. When III
Congress, Mckinley had no scruples
against wine and it is believed will serve
1t 10 his guests at the Warehouses; Speak
ing Of wines Mt a White House dinner,
Mrs. W. w. Seaton "a North Carolina
belle), after dinner at the White
House when Madison was President,
wrote in her diary;
The dinner was certainly fine, but
ii did not surpass some l have eaten IN
Carolina. There were many French
dishes and exquisite wines. Comment
on the quality OF the wines was the
chief topic after the removal OF the
cloth. Candles were introduced before
the ladies' left the table, and the gentle
men continued half an hour longer TO
enjoy u social glass.
Writing of the Civil Service system and
its extension. VIM. Il. Curtis says:
There has been an enormous change IN
the civil service during last four years
While it is true that President Cleveland
filled the barn with Democratic horses be-
fore he locked the door, he has done great
good, which Maj Mckinley ought to APP
preciate by reducing the patronage for
merly distributed by presidents to the
very lowest possible minimum. Nearly
$4,000 offices which has hitherto Aeen
dispensed as rewards for political service
within the last two years have been
placed beyond the reach of spoilsmen, and
1884 in all are now under the civil
service rules, to be filed only by COM
petitive examination and promotion for
merit. Before the 4th OF March 1000
or 5000 more will be added to this num-
Der, including 1000 pension surgeons
who will go on the list as soon as the
clerks at headquarters can make out the
papers.
There will be a great deal Of astonish-
ment and chagrin among the faithful
Republican campaign workers who will
come to Washington with letters Of re-
commentator after the Inauguration
next spring to find that President Nc
kinley will have less than 700 good arp
pointments at his disposal, instead of
the $4,000 that have usually been the ali
mony of the executive; and among these
roo are many which will not tempt the
ordinary oflice-seeker, like blacksmiths,
butchers, teachers and policemen on
Indian reservations, keepers Of national
cemeteries, lighthouse attendants, etc.
There are S,63S laborers, watchmen, etc,
under the various branches Of the gov
eminent, who may be selected from pri-
vate life without examination. There
are 4,S15 appointments confirmed by the
Senate, which are within the Presidents
gift, although if Maj Mckinley respects
Mr.. Cleyeland's order of Sept. 20, 1895,
placing all the consular officers, whose
salaries do not exceed $4,000, under the
civil service ribs, this number viii be
considerably reduced. 1t was the inten-
ton Of the President to protect the rank
and file Of the consular. service, and
make it possible only to fill vacancies by
promotion or by competitive examination.
There are ffty-seyen United States
Consuls in Great Britain. All but six
Of them are now under ciYil-seryice
rules, and there are only twenty-five
exceptiones in all Europe.
The civil service commission, in their
annual report, are expected to recon-
mend the repeal of the tenure OF Of
fee law in order that there may be no
excuse for replacing competent officials
who are appointed by the President and
confirmed by the Senate. This law linn
its the service of most of the Federal Of
ficials TO four, as that is the term Of the
President, and he is authorized to COM
mission them for that time only. At the
expiration of their term they must be re-
commissioned or some one else appoint
ed in their stead. 1t is the theory of the
civil service commission that if the ten
IRE Of Office law were repealed and all
Federal officials were appointed for indie
finite periods of time the most efficient
men would be retained permanently in
the service. The objection to such an APP
peal would be that the President would
have the power to remove an official ut
any time, which be practically. has now.
But it is not very likely that Congress
win accept any such recommendations
When he was elected Governor of New
York, Mr.. Cleveland wasn't worth ten
thousand dollars. To-day Bradstreet
quotes his wealth at 81 100000, and pri-
yate persons credit him with the posses
sion OF 100000 in cash, property and
bonds. lie has made more money as
President Of this country than any man
that ever occupied that distinguished
position. His capacity for looking after
the almighty dollar is wonderful, and he
has well prepared himself for the adj
versities of life. The easy feeling his
wealth gives him is said to have made
him lose considerable OF his former in
terest in politics, although he keenly feels
the criticisms of the press opposing him,
and Of the people that once were only
pleased to praise.
y = Il
The clerk Of the House Of Representa-
tiyes has issued the usual unofficial list
Of members Of the House Of Representa-
tives Of the Fifty-ffth Congress The
list shows that the House will be com
posed of 204 Republicans, 124 Demo
Gratis, ID Fusionists, II Populists and that
there is one vacancy, from the First Mis-
souri, district. or the total membership
POS were in the last House and 10 others
had served in previous Congresses.
DIR. M'ADEN'S NEW MILL.