Evening star., 1899-03-09
ASTRONOMERS ASTRAY
Mistaken Observations of an Important
Political Star.
Occu1tation of Commissioner Harlow
and the City Postmastership Not
Regarded as Dangerous.

The orbs that move through the political
armament are subject to very much the
same sort of changes, eclpses, occuitations
and other phenomena as the planets which
traverse the celestial heavens, and this
similarity has been several times eXempli-
hed in this vicinity during the past three
months or so. The chief star in Washing
tons skies, so far the interest of office
seeking astronomers is concerned, is the
city post office. This attractive planet,
though not of the first magnitude, such
things go, is surcharged with pulchritude,
and as children cry for the moon, children
of larger growth are yearning for the post
office. Some time ago Mr.. Madden of De-
troit temporarily passed across the face of
the orb, and really alarmed our local view
ers for the time being.
MI. Madden drew off into space, how
ever, as he really had no business in TINS
portion of the political heavens anyhow.
Since that ocruitation the office-seeking
scientists Of this neck Of the woods have
been enjoying the undiminished hsht OF
their sun. but another body
has obtruded itself between their glasses
and their object and CONSERVATION reigns
again.
Well-equipped observers declared with
much positiveness that the newcomer IN
the local armament was John b. Harlow
Of st. Louis now a member OF the clViA
service commission.
the city post Office would get their respect
i've orbits SO enlarged that Mr.. Wilett
would become a shooting star, as ii Were
and go shimmering off into unsalaried
space. The fact that Mr.. Harlow merely
enjoyed temporary, or, rather, comet-lke
existence here, by reason of his official
position, was not regarded as preventing
the phenomena described.
An Eclipse at the White House.
All these prognostications seem to have
been knocked as high as the armament it
self, however by something that occurred
at the White House today. A delegation
called on the President in regard to the
candidacy of Marion T. Anderson, who has
some following for postmaster of WASH
ington. 1t was composed OF Calvin Farms
worth, department commander of the q. A.
r.: G. H. Slaybaugh, senior vice depart
ment commander; t S. Hopkins, past com
mander; George c. Ross, past post COM
mander, and George H. Evans.
They desired to urge the appointment OF
'Comrade' Anderson, and did so. They
told the President that there could be no
question of Major Anderson's fitness and
ability for the position. They presented
the fact that Major Anderson is largely in
dorsed locally and that many republican
papers in Indiana, his old home. have add
ed to the Endorsements. They stated that
all the members of the Indiana delegation
in Congress desire the appointment, and
added that as assistant cashier Of the city
post Office Major Anderson is thoroughly
familiar with the work at the office.
Has Been offered to No One.
The President listened with interest to all
that was said. and stated that he would
give the matter full consideration. He said
that he had not yet had time to take up the
Washington post office, and had not offered
the position to any one. He did not know
when he would lake the papers and proceed
with the appointment.