The Press., 1897-04-08
WaahinKton L.etter.
Washington, April 9th, 1897.

WhSnlnkVOnt ApTu oGns losas
 The civil service rules may be likened to punching bag in public gymnasium and the senators and representatives to the punchers. Whether they can punch the bag to peices is yet to be seen. The senate civil service committee is prepar- ing to make an exhaustive investigation of the workings of the civil service under those rules, but that isn't going fast enough for some of the opponents of MT. Cleveland's numerous extensions of the rule, and Representative Corliss, of Michigan, has offered joint resolution providing for the repeal of every exten- sion made under the last administration. Mir. Corllss tried to get immediate consid- eration for the resolution, but Speaker Reed would not have 1t that way, 80 1t has gone to join the numerous bills and resolutions which are aw aiting the ap- polntment of the house committees. MT. Corliss says that President Mckinley has the authority to rescind those rules, but that he thinks 1t would only be right for congress to assume the responsibility of doing 80.
 Members of the senate committee on finance are working night and day on the tariff bill, their intention being to go over the entire bill item by item. If they have arrived at any conclusions, they have not announced them, notwithstanding what purport to be assertions to the contrary. Few people believe that the clause making the new duties go into effect April 1, will be in the bill when 1t passes the senate fore the final vote Is taken, for the pur. pose of keeping down importations.
 The western senators who have been SC vigorously protesting against the order issued by President Cleveland just before the close of his term. setting apart 21 forest reservations in the west have part. lally gained their point. The nationa forestry commission has been summoned to Washington to talk over the matter with President Mckinley, who is already satisfied that President Cleveland's pro clamation was entirely too comprehensive It Is not expected that the Cleveland order will be officially rescinded, but that as each of the reservations are surveyed, the president will exempt from the provisions of the Cleveland order such lands as art of a mineral or agricultural character, or where settlers rights would be trampled upon.
 It doesn't seem to occur to some of tho admirers of Ex-SecI etary Carlisle thar they are not adding anything to thai gentleman's reputation by spreading the news of having been employed at a libera salary to look after the legal interests 1T the southern states of the great banking establishment of J. Pierpont Morgan.
 No appointment made by President Mckinley has been more generally com mended than that of Hon. Benjamin Butterworth to be commissioner of pat ents. Although MT. Butterworth ii credited to Ohio, from whence he orig inally came to Washington as a member of the house, he is actually a resident anC property owner of Washington. MT Butterworth was commissioner of patenti during the Arthur administration, anC served when last in the house on com mittee on patents. It is understood tha President Mckinley had considerably diff ficulty in persuading Mir. Butterworth tc accept the place, and that his Income | will be less in office than 1t would have been out of office. Be that as 1t may, Is good thing for those having business with the patent office that he accepted The office Is badly In need of his expert ence, wide knowledge of patent law ant practice, as well as of the prestige that man of his influence and fame will com mand.
 The great interest in Greece aroused b, the plucky position the little country nov occupies has served to call attention t, the fact that Greece has no minister il Washington. There was Greek ministe in Washington a few years ago, and ther Is a little mystery connected with hi early departure for home on "leave o absence" which has never expired. Som say that the Greek government conclude that 1t could not afford to keep a ministe and legation in Washington and quietl withdrew by the ''leave of absence" rout but the story most believed In Washing ton Is that the minister, who adhered the Greek costume at all times, left in dudgeon because he was followed aroun the streets by hoodlums and idlers an comments made upon his appearance.