The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03


pugilist be admitted. Bob sauntered into the
| room In the same manner that he would pene-
trate restaurant. when Mr.. Sherman slowly
turned his eyes on him. The glance contained
q whole polar region of icebergs and the pngii-
list shivered. His big hand fell limp at his side,
and he began to fidget with his hat. For an
instant he remained thus, and then he sank
! into chair.
"Fine day. sir" he stammered.
Eyes" replied Secretary Sherman, continu-
Tag the icy stare.
For full minute the conqueror OF Corbett
| struggled to gasp out another sentence, but not
a word could he utter, and at the expiration OF
| that time he slowly stood up. and as awkwardiy
, as an elephant backed out of the room aud into
the corridor When lie recovered his breath
he made an improper remark.
X
It is claimed by the Civil Service Commission
that it is overcoming the Widespread idea that
its examinations include such scholastic tests
as to bar from appointment in tho Government
service any man who is not fresh from college.
Whatever may have been the conditions during
the early years of the reform, it is declared
that the tests now applied to applicants are
thoroughly practical, and deal with no question
not relating to the duties of the place to be
filled. The idea that the questions given ap-
plicants for positions under the Civil Service
arc purely scholastic has done much to prevent
men not fresh from their books from applying
for examination.
X
Al. &c
grade are being changed quietly and expedite
ously. all under the operation of an order made
during Cleveland's first Administration. 1t
gives each Postmaster a four years term, from
the lowest to the highest. The ante-room of
the Postmaster-General is filed with Congress
men. In an adjoining room will be found their
clerks. copying the list of the Postmasters in
each District. The Congressman learns when
the term of office Of each Postmaster in his Dis
trict expires, aud is in shape for future cam
paign.
The smaller Consulates, which were formerly
perquistes OF the Secretary Of State, are now
tid-bits of Civil Service reform. Where vacan-
cics occur, under President Cleveland's order of
1896, they are filed either by promotion or
transfer. Aside from this, persons who have
been in the service have preference. New APP
plicants arc examined in the State Department
with special reference to thor fitness for the
office 1t is under cover Of these examinations
that the spoilsmen may gather small harvest.
X
Every TINA people begin to think and-t talk 81
possible war there is a rush to the beautiful
models Of the warships in the Navy Depart
ment. One Of their custodians was comment
ing the other day on the apparent great and
sudden desire to see them when they were
temporarily ont of tho city. He said it ap-
pearcd that the moment they were sent away
to Nashville, lots of people began to ask for
them. The custodian probably forgot about
the Cuban agitation. Washington folks don't
often see the big warships, because the latter
cannot get up the river, SO they like to look at
the miniature terrors.
The Mount Vernon Association has recently
come into possession Of some interesting relics,
to be exhibited hereafter at the home of the
Father of his Country. One is a miniature OF
Gen. George Washington on ivory, painted by
| the artist Field, and believed to be the last
F! taken from life. This Was loaned by Mrs. Law
renee Lewis Conrad. of Baltimore. who also
loaned n plaster cast of medal of Washing.
ton by FIRST. engraver of medals in Philadel-
phia, presented to Miss Angela Lewis by James
/ Gibson; three letters of Mrs. Washington, and
| a piece of poetry from Martha Park GUSTS.
| Another relic was received, consisting of a
no al cl.t NH oh,
| all that was standing at Wakefield when the
| foundation was put In for the monument built
| there last year.