Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON, March g.


committee on civil service, to-day pre-
sented the report of that committee on
the recent investigation ofthe classified
service, embodyiug the conclusions Of
the committee. These conclusions are:
THAT the executive has the power TO
make such notifications as may be
fund advisable, and therefore no leeis-
lation is needed, and that the classiti-
cation has been too extensive, and that
certain places that have been classified
should be excluded from classification,
so that appointments may be made to
them, not through examination, but at
the pleasure of the head of the depart.
ment Or bureau. The committee is OF
the opinion that the President should
make certain notifications in the ex-
listing civil service rules and should re-
store to the heads of departments and
the heads Of bureaus the appointment
of certain classes OF officials. The CON-
mittee, however, recognizes that its prov
ince in the matter is purely advisory,
since it mas no legislation to propose"
Among the offices which the commit
tee recommend should be excluded
from the classified service are the fol-
lowing: Deputy commissioners and
deputy collectors Of internal revenue
agents, who are employees OF the COM
missioner of internal revenue; tempo
rary storekeepers and gaugers, certain
lighthouse employees, inspectors of hulls
and boilers, all positions in the custo
dian service, assistant attorneys and
special agents in the department Of
Justice and deputy United States
marshals. 1t is recommended that q
number of employees in the IL
terror Department be exempted.
The same recommendation is made as
to the chief clerks in all departments,
also as to postoffice inspectors and
special agents of the agricultural depart
ment. A competitive departmental ex-
animation for technical positions at
navy yards is recommended. The
committee express the opinion that the
classification OF the government printing
office was not authorized by law, but
that even if it was many places in that
office were included which should not
have been. The committee further
recommends that when vacancy oc.
ours, and under the rule three names
are certified as eligible for such Yacau-
CIV, the three names shall be forwarded
80 the local officer in charge of the Of,
flee where such vacancy exists, and
such local officer shall designate the
person to be selected for such vacancy,
subject to approval by the head of the
d pArtment. Senator Lodge presented
minority report, which, while it
agrees in the main with the report sub
mitted by Senator Pritchsrd, does not
present so long list of persons whom
be would have exempted.
At lao p. m. to-day the Speaker
took the chair and announced his sigma
ture to the national defense bill. The
adjournment Of the Senate prevents So
curing the signature of the Vice Presi.
Dent to-day and it will now 60 to the
President tomorrow.
The remains of the late Patent Com
missioner, Mr.. Benjamin Butterworth,
we're taken from this city this after
noon to Maineville, o., for interment.
There were fewer signs of excite
ment and haste at the War and Navy
Departments to-day, aud such prepare
tons as are being made towards putting
the army and navy into efficient condi-
ton are now going on with less ex-
hibi,ion of the feverish spirit of appre-
hension that characterize I'D the proceed
in2s of the last few days. There is a
general expression of belief that for the
time at least there is no prospect of
hostile collision and that what seemed
to be a crisis has been safely passed.
At the Spanish legation the view pre-
vailed that the situation was much
calmer than it had been at any time
since the critical juncture began. Senior
DuBosc is preparing for the arrival Of
the new minister, Senior Polo y Ber-
nabe, who is expected to reach New
York to-day and comes directly to
Washington. @ Sss1-
The consolidation of customs collec-
ton districts proposed by the admins
tration was given hearing by the ways
and means committee of the House to.
day. Assistant Secretary Howell and
Special Agent W. 8, Chance, Of the
Treasury Department, argued in favor
of the proposed consolidation. Mayor
Mayo OF Norfolk, and MIR. RIG. Bickford
of Newport's News, Virginia, argued
against the consolidation of their dis
tricts, but, il such consolidation be
made, that the central Office thereof be
in their particular cities. There is no
idea that the bill will pass. as too many
districts would be affected TO make its
passage possible.
The Pennsylvania Railroad is paving
the causewsy of the Long Bridge with
Belgian blocks.
Ii is reported here, but on what au-
thority cannot be learned, that there
will be racing season at the st. Asaph
track this Spring.
OF the Virginia delegation il the
House yesterday, Messrs. Hay and
Jones spoke in favor of the Spanish
war bill, the former clarifying Consul
General Lee, and the latter expressing
his willingness to vote for one hundred,
rsther than fifty million.
The House committee on rivers and
harbors voted to-day not to report a
river and harbor appropriation bill at
this session.
The nominations of S. H. Hoge to be
postmaster at Roanoke and S. P. Nair
at Clifton Forge were confirmed to-day.
Also NJ. L. King, collector OF customs at
alexandria, Va.
The military committee Of the SEN
ste to-day. Oh Of