Gilpin observer., 1899-04-13
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
AND DEPARTMENT NEWS.

the day occurred in the reception rooni
at the White House, where the ex-
change OF ratihcatiOns took place ut 3
O'Clock. In anticipation of the his
toric character of the event, many
members Of the Cabinet and officials
prominent In the administration gath
cred at the White House.
The ambassadors Of the European
nations who are stationed here are boy
cOtting the new Mexican ambassador,
Mr.. AspircZ. Although he is an edu-
Gated and accomplished gentleman,
they have snubbed him systematically
and pointedly. The reason Is that the
great European powers We're not
pleased when the Mexican legation at
Washington was elevated to an en-
bassy on an equality with their own.
They made no formal protest. but there
was a good deal Of dissatisfaction ex-
pressed privately that the represen-
tative OF SO small nation as Mexico
should be accorded the same diplo-
matte distinction by our government
that their ambassadors received. The
respect felt for the late Minister RO-
nero was so great that the Europeans
would not object to him, but when a
man without diplomatic experience,
like Mr. Aspiroz came. boycott was
decided upon. The Mexican govern
ment will not overlook the slight upon
Its. representative. but the matter has
not yet been brought to it's attention.
The recently appointed assistant
treasurer at New Orleans is evidently
tartar. His name is G. ]. Bell, and
he was selected for the Office as COM
promise candidate to satisfy the vari-
Gus factions of the Republican party
and the protection and gold standard
Democrats. AS soon as Mr.. Bell took
charge of the office he removed the
cashier and placed his son in that po-
sition, and has since been making
other changes, turning out experienced
clerks and bOOk-keepers and replacing
them with people of his own selection.
When the matter was reported to the
Treasury department he was notified
that his action was unlawful and in
violation of the civil service act and
the rules OF the department. He made
no reply officially, but intimated pri-
vately that as long as he was respOn-
sible for the money he proposed to Sc
lect the men, civil service rules to the
contrary Notwithstanding. AS admon-
itions in writing seemed to have no eff
feet upon him, Assistant Secretary
Vanderlip went to New Orleans Il few
days ago to see ii he could not straight
en- the matter out. But Mr.. Bell de-
clined to recognize him. He says he
takes his orders only from the Presi-
dent of the United States or the secre-
tary of the treasury. Mr.. Vanderlip
is now on his way home and will have
an interesting experience to relate. Mr..
Bell will probably be invited to Wash
ington or his resignation will be asked
for.
Having come from Hustleville. Will
lam Il. Merriam, the director of the
census, gets very impatient when he
encounters the customs of this laLtt of
deliberation. The government clerks
begin work at 8 o'clock in the morning
and stop at 4, with half-hour for
luncheon, which are shorter hours than
Mr.. Merriam has been accustomed to.
They are also in the habit of taking
things in an easy. happy-go-lucky
manner. and find that hurrying is apt
to put them out of work. When n new
bureau is organized the first persons
to get places are old-timers, who have
lost positions in other departments but
have lived so long In Washington that
new census office got its share of such
people, who years ago ac-
quired the habits of the circumlocution
office and have found ii impossible to
get rid of them. When Mr.. Merriam
went to st. Paul TO close up his private
affairs he gave Instructions to have
certain things done during his alb
sence. and says the force of clerks in
his Office ought to have done 1t four
times over during the time allowed.
but when he got back it was not half
finished, and he has since been trying
to discover the reason why. 1t is II
serious question whether he or the
Washington habit gives in. 1t is not
n new experience. Other men have
come here filed with western vim
and energy and have attempted to re-
form things, but after few months
of baffied effort have had to give up.
He will probably do the same.
Admiral O'Neill. chief of the ord
nance bureau of the Navy Depart
ment. has prepared the specifications
for 2I.OO0 tons of armor. costing up.
proximately S9,O00,O00 for the six bat
tleships authorized by Congress at the
last two sessions, and Will invite bids
for furnishing It, There are only two
establishments in the United States
which are competent to undertake so
great contract the Carnegies and the
Bethlehem Company, and both have
heretofore refused to furnish arinor
for less than S400 ton. That Is the
limit placed by Congress upon the cost
for the first three bnttleships. and for
the other three the limit is $500 n ton.
1t is therefore the opinion of the de-
partment that no bids will be offered
within these limits. but the officials
consider II to be their duty to go ahead
and call for proposals just as II 1t was
reasonable to expect them. The ord
nance officers of the navy do not favor
the erection of plant by the govern
ment to make nrmor. for the reason
that 1t would be several years before
the machinery could be made and