The Holly chieftain., 1897-09-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WARRINGTON LETTER.
The civil service wishes everybody to
know that it is simply throwing away
money to nay for any Information con-
nected with its examinations, either in
Washington or elsewhere. when such
information may be had without paying
a cent, bv addressing the U. $. Civil
Servite Commission. Washington, y. C.
The Commercial Directory. issued by
the Bureau Of American Republics, has
annexed Hawsii without waiting for the
Senate to act upon the treaty. In a|
hand book just issued by that buresu,
ia prospectus Of the Commercial Di-
rectory, and 9 list of the countries that
will be represented therein, and in the
list is, "The United States Including
Alaska aud Hawaii)." This is keeping
up to date and little ahead.
One of the knottiest problems vet
tackled by Attorney General McKenna
is the construction which shall be plac-
ed npon that portion Of the new tariff
imposing discriminating duties 1t was
referred to him by Secretary Gage,
sometime ago. for an opinion. The
matter is Of vast importance to those
who are Interested in our foreign com
merce, involving it is claimed revenue
10 the extent of $50, ,OO0, 600 year.
Either somebody has been mistaken
about the salary being insufficient to
attract q first class man. or lot Of sec
ond rate architects are trying for the
POSITION Of Supervising Aychiteet Of the
Treasury. special examination to
fiji this Office is being held. and 30 far,
nearly eighty architects have presented
themselves for examination. This off,
cial has charge Of the erection Of all
public buildings throughout the coun-
try.
Tho experiment OF using carrier pig
cons to carry information from our war
ships to land, which was tried during
the evolutions of the North Atlantic
Squadron in the Atlantic off Cape
Charles. was such complete success
that the Navy Department will, hereaf-
tier. regularly make use Of those birds
for newscarriers. The news was in this
case taken from the flagship New York,
to Norfolk Navy Yard. and from there
telegrsphed to Washington, thus keep
ing the department informed Of every
movement Of the squadron.
France Is the first country to notify
this government of its desire to secure
both forms Of reciprocity proyided for
by the new tariff law, and. the French
Ambassador has formally applied for
the reduction in the duty on articles of
French production that the President is
authorized to make by proclamation,
whenever, in his discretion. he consid-
ers he concessions offered sutficisnt to
warrant such action on his part. These
articles are limited to brandy. cham
payne, still v he And yermouth, aud
paintings, drawings and statuary, and
the reduction of duty to about 25 per
cent. The French Ambassador has also
given nctice that his country wishes to
negotiate a general reciprocity treaty
with the United States, Ia accordance
with the pYovisionf Of ths new tariff
This law provides that these treaties
shall, in addition TO being ratified by
by the senate, be approved by con-
gress." This il the frst tims that the
consant Of the house has been made
necessary fopu treaty into effect. but
that is no reason Why it may not be q
good idea
Present indications are that the en-
tire civil service law and rules will I've
passed upon by the U. y. Supreme
Court in The near future. and there ia
mare or less trcpidation among govern
mynt officials who ba, supposed them
selves anchored for lifetime positions,
under the protection Of tnat law and
the rules prescribed for its enforcement.
A test case IL to be made Of the suit
brought In District of Columbia court,
by John @. Woods. of Louisville, KY,
10 prevent his r+m.yrl BY the Pos
master tieneral from position in the
classified service withoot any charges
being made aRnint him. The csse was
to have been heard Saturday, but Z
postpoueinent Tor one week wns asked
and obtained bv the council for The
Postmaster asners1. and Il u anbounc-
"a that no matter boz It may b. dscid-
81 b. this eoart, II y 70 Be tahen i,p BY
the D. 3. 6uptsnn4 court. in. orlief to
ssetsis ths aueeetoA oncs for " of the
.powsf of SeneviI. A attempt y also
h b n1ade v hase ths dseision soyss
oshsr nsil servIes ~ sasttsss mess u
1s6s II asphI ~ dis0Ae. 'sSS Is s