Richmond planet., 1897-05-01
WASHINGTONLETTER
Sending Troops to New
York.
SERVICE TO BE MODIFIED.
A Popular Selection

(from Our Regular Correspondent
WAsHNGroN, April 20, 1897.
Washington isn't dedicating the
Grant Monument, but it is sendiDg
over to New York some of the most
prominent persons who will taFe part
in or view the dedicstory ceremonies.
President Mckinley and his cabinet,
the diplomatic corps, the Supreme
Court, Nrs. Grant and members OF the
Grant family, and a delegation of
prominent Army and Navy officers and
their families went on one special
train today. The Senate and House
Committees, which go as the official
Representatives OF the legislative
branch Of the Government went on
regulsr trains and to suit individual
convenience, but the members will
meet and remain together during the
ceremonies.
SENATOR'S PRokINEET.
Many other Senators and Represen-
tatives have also gone, as il was agreed
beforehand that no business whatever
should be transacted at the meetings
OF the House and Senate to-day, and
those to be held on Thursday. they
being held merely TO comply with the
constitutional requirement. as to the
length OF time that either branch of
Congress may adjourn without the
adoption OF concurrent resolution.
1t is expected that President McKin-
ley will shortly modify the civil SER
vice rules. BE has had an ex-
tended conference with the Civil Ser
vice Commission. Secretary Wilson
stated before the Senate eub-commit-
tee, which is Investigating the work
ings of the civil service law and rules,
that the present rules hampered him
in selecting efficient scientific subordi-
mates, and In written communica-
tion, Secretary Gage expressed the
opinion that a modification of the
rules would be beneficial to his de-
partment.
WANTS THE LAW REPEALEp
Representative Dorr of West Virgin
Ia, has introd uced bill for the out
right repeal OF the civil service laws,
and he declares his intention to do ev-
Ierything he possibly can to get the bill
acted upon.
Nothing could better illustrate Pres
ident McKinley's idea OF the relations
that should exist between the Federal
administration and the pubic than the
official announcement OF the selection
of Judge William r. Day, of Canton,
Ohio, to be First Assistant Secretary
of State, and Ex- Representative BEL
lamy Storer, of Ohio, to be United
States minister 10 Belgium, three days
before their nominations we're sent to
the State. President Mckinley be-
Iieves that as soon as anything has
been determined upon. the people
have right to be informed of it and
act accordingly
SECRETARY WILSON PLEASED.
Secre tary Wilson is much pleased
with the reception of his effort to in
crease the culture of sugar beets in
those sections of the country where the
| climate and soil seems to indicate sue
cess with this crop. So great has been
the demand for the seeds that the large
supply contracted for by Secretary
Wilson when he first took charge OF
| the Agricultural department has been
almost exhausted.
CONGRESSMAN DEAD.
The death of Representative MiIIi-
ken recalls the fact that no member OF
the Maine Congressional delegation
died in Office before Mr.. Milliken.
| since 1888, when Representative Jona-
than p. Ciiley, OF Maine, was shot dead
by Representative Graves Of Kentucky
with whom he fought duel
| Senator Allison. who is a member oi
the subcommittee engaged in going
over the Dingley bill before it is re-
ported to the full Finance Committee
by the way, this subcommittee is no.
taking any holiday either night or day
this week-gave q caller a good idea ol
the manner in which the work OF re.
vision is being done, when he said
I"Here is q letter from a manufacturer
of blacking. How many ingredients
do you suppose there are that enter in
to its manufacture? Well, more thar
a dozen. Some of these Ingredients
have been transferred from the free tC
the dutiable list. Some have had thu
rates increased and some decreased.
Each article has direct bearing OF
this mans business.
soMErHna ABOUT BLACKING.
He writes us that blacking is sold il
packages of q certain size, which can
not we'll be varied; also that most o
the blacking is imported from France
and that the industry in this countr,
is In it's infancy, but is making fai
Iprogress. If we retain the Hous
rates on certain ingredients he men
tions, he asks that We also make
Ismall increase on blacking and sug
Igests that it will be easier to do thi
than to change the rates on the dozei
articles which enter into his product
His request does not seem unreasona
BILE, does it, if the facts are as b
ssates7 Well, we have looked into in
lgredients mentioned and their bear
ing on his product, and lind his state
ment correct. That is the way we ar
doing our work on the tariff bill, and
think it is better than to do this ma
an injustice and possibly give his busi
ness to the French manufacturers
The subcommittee expect to com
, plete its work on she bill this weet
and it is hoped that the bill can be re
IpOrted to the Senate next week.