The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-02-26

the fourth-class postoffices may be in
Guided in the classification by executive
order. When these extensions of office
acts are repealed, and regulations IN
successful operation in all the depart
ments requiring promotions to be based
on the efficiency of employees, the re-
forms in the executive civil service, it is
said will be practically complete.
The commission is now making caro-
system, to show certain information re.
garding every person in the executive
civil service. The whole number of per
sons examined for the five branches OF
the classified service during the veal
ended June 80, 1896, was 1920, of whom
20, 493 passed and 1886 failed to pass
This is material decrease in failures
The whole number of appointments was
50S4 an increase of 1872 over the previous
year.
In reviewing the growth of the civil
service the report says that under Pres
ident Arthur there was growth of 164%
classified places, making a total of over
$1,000 at the close of his administration,
1000 added by President Cleveland dur
ing his first administration and con
temporaneous increase of about 45Ot
places by natural growth; 5000 additions
by President Harrison by executive or.
der, and a natural growth of nearly 700C
places at the same time, and at the pres
ent time of over $1,000.
The commission conducted investiga'
lions into charges of political assess.
ments, political or religious discrimina
lions, illegal appointments and removals
and alleged fraud or unfairness in con
nection with examinations and appoint
ments. In a number of cases of charge
of political assessments 1t was found that
here has been no technical violations OF
the law. The PRONUNCIATION of the law
on this subject and the commissioners
warning to employees during the cam.
paign, that they could not be forced tC
contribute to political funds, the report
says, has a most salutary effect.
The congress of mothers, which con-
vened in this city last week, was one OF
the most remarkable gatherings of the
kind ever assembled in this country. The
work of this organization is one of the
most noble of its character ever under.
taken, which accounts for the un'
paralleled success of the congress.
The idea of the women who started the
was to have as little organi-
cation as was absolutely necessary, anG
not enough to hinder or cramp the free
dom of the congress in the slightest de-
gree 1t is called the first national con-
gress. While nothing has been said or
the subject as yet, it is foregone con.
clusion that a second will be held, per |
haps in Boston next year The interest
in the congress is by no means confined |
to Washington or the immediate neigh |
burhood. In fact, far greater number |
of delegates from other cities were her, |
than the most sanguine of the women /
interested had dared to hope in advance
1t was expected that scores might come
In point of fact there were probably more
than 500 women from other cities in at
tendance upon the congress.
The women who had charge of the
of the program succeeded
in bringing together from all over thu
country some of the brainiest and most
takers who have ever ad.
dressed gatherings Of this sort. The sub
iects assigned were all of the greatest
Importance, and the manner in which
they were handled was entirely worthy
Of the immense audiences which the
speakers addressed. The proper rela-
tlonship existing between the mother
and the child is a very broad subject tC
handle, but it was specialized and di-
yided among the various speakers in
such a way as to cover the ground in a
most satisfactory manner.
There were many New England wom-
m in attendance. and the immense pow
er for good which these congresses are
,o,,pd IN have can hardly he estimated !
This. the first congress, was admitted
IN every hand to have been an over
ybelming success. and it is predicted
hat the future gatherings of the organ
cation will, IL possible, be more so.
Considerable gossip has for a long