The Washington times., 1901-09-01
CIVIL SERVICE ANSWERS.
Unique Collections of the Commits
siOn's Examiners.
Ludicrous Biunders Made by AppIi-
cants for Government Positions.
New Light on LincOln's Death-Ad-
ynntages of Life in the City.

ingly ludicrous that their faces wear
smile for half an hour afterward. The
examiners often jot down these an
swers. and some of the officials have
unique collections.
Here are a couple of definitions of
specific gravity which certainly possess
the merit of originality:
Specific gravity is ar unknown
quantity in the atmosphere. which
draws all substances toward the earth"
Specific gravity is the pcint at which
the hydrometer extends out of the
spirits
The following miscellaneous informa-
ton will be interesting to many:
1.-The eagle belongs to the great fam
lily of mammalia, but differs in many
characteristics from others of this FAM
lily, especially in the manner of raising
its young. The rudiInents of its off,
spring being deposited in shell and
warmed TO life and full development by
the warmth of the mothers body or by
the heat of tie sun. 1t is very fierce
bird when protecting its young, and 1t
is as well to keep at distance when
any are very near"
Hunting in the mountains is good
sport, because the game is more numer-
Gus, such game as the bear, deer, and
elk of the larger sex and birds of the
smaller sex
The stems OF Gtamens should be
taught, for they extend from the roots
to the different parts"
Here is some new light upon an i'm
portant historical event. This appli-
cant manipulates his facts in way
that ought TO be the envy of Historian
Maclay:
In the year of eighteen hundred and
sixty-tive was Abraham Lincoln shoote
in the Oppre House by his wife"
The man who wrote the following
had been requested to give his views as
to the advantages to be derived from
the reading of good books. What he
thought of this particular subject. how
ever. does not appear. The candidate
had been warned against alluding t. his
political or religious opinions or affiha-
tions. 1t will be noticed that he has
faithfully avoided it:
My illusions avoiding political or re-
ngious opinions. And they are this as
to affiliations. i deem 1t as being the
first step in honesty 1t takes religion
concludingly 10 make a man. If there
were no religion or if d man had no re-
ligious opinions. in my estimation we
would be in a vast condition, but hav-
ing religion and other things combined
we have the pleasure of using our
opinions. And by having religion and
using our opinions we are able TO hold
the office to which we seek. deem it
necessary for everyone to have some
opinion voidingly according to standing.
And what I've gone on to say is my
opinions accordingly as to illusions
voidingly and political affiliation-'
The subject of the following sketch is
why SO many young men abandon
farm for city life:''
Young men come to the city to learn
and improve themselves they learn
more and see more they have more i'm
provements in the city than in the
country, such as our colleges churches,
large buildings. theatres railroads lee
lures vaudeville and steam vessels.
IF such men as Daniel Webster had
not left the country as he did he GER
tainly could not improved his diction-
airy, if Hamlet had stayed at his farm
ing he could not have spoke such high
and classical pieces
The following is in answer to a ques-
ton, asking the qualifications which
in your opinion a clerk, storekeeper, or
fs1 n he In al
should possess"
He should be a man of good sound
judgment and also Just and honest
man. and qualified to tend TO the Bussi-
ness and a white American Born Citer-
son not less than u years old Nor over
65 years of age nor should he serve
longer than 4 years and should be a
good judge Of the Whiskey and other
sperrits of the United States and other
Nations he ought not TO get intoxer-
Gated nor excited nor f3lsfy his word or
betray his trust obeJdient to legal
orders from headquarters of the United
States also a married man that had
or Boyes growing or grown TO Man
hood and that he was sending or had
sent to school and was trying to qualify
to take charge OF the affares of his Gov
ernment when the Older Generation
passes out Of cervist and also called
upon to give account to the great Be
yond where men of this country don't
Return to do there work over again.
1t is well to be cautious in the selec-
tion of our internal revenue officers. but
1t does seem as If the man who answer
ed that question was inclined to be a
little too particular. However there is
nothing like having high ideals.
This letter from Lexington, KY,
hardly belongs in the freak" class, but
displays such originality that it should
be published. 1t is in answer to the
question, why do you wish to enter
the Government service?"
U. S. Civil Service Commission. Washington.
D. C.
Gentlemen: My reasons for entering the Gov
ernment service are very plain. Unfortunately
for my wife, she married what is termed a
country printer"-one Of of the boys that
sticks all the type, makes up the forms, does
the devils" work, and, in fact, Is the whole
thing ! have been unable to make living that
! would like for this good woman, who used
such bad judgment. In entering the Government
service / feel that ] can provide for her and
MAJ life worth living. Beans, cabbage, and
dned apples are not good for indigestion.
The man who asked the questions be-
low seemed to be unable to conceal the
presence of considerable anxiety yet
displayed, withal. most engaging
frankness:
Il wish to ask few questions in re-
gard to the examination for carrier in
the Postoffice Department
Where can / obtain an application
blank?
Does a soldier that has been dis
charged for bad habits stand a good
show If he can prove that his habits
are all that can be desired?
Would having lost finger or a part
of finger debar a man from becom-
ing an applicant for carrier7
II have lost finger on my left hand