The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-02-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.

receptions of the season took place at the
White House on Thursday evening, when
the officers Of the Army and of the Navy
paid their respects to their President as
Commander in Chief his wife and his
official family. Rear Admiral Robley D.
Evans was among the first of the Naval
officers in the line to greet Mr.. Roosevelt.
The meeting between the President and
General Miles appeared to me to be as
cordial as was that between Mr.. Roose-
welt and:any other officer. The leading
social event of the coming week will be
the marriage of Miss Helen Hay and Mr..
Payne Whitney, which will take place at
high noon on Thursday.
*x*x*
The committee of fifty representative
citizens, to which has been entrusted the
arrangements for the G.. A. R. encamp-
ment, to occur in Washington next Octo-
Der, reports the most satisfactory progress.
Subscriptions for the entire sum of
$50, 900, which the committee will raise
as an entertainment fund, have been re-
ceived and $25,oo has already been paid
into the treasurers hands. The formal
invitation to the veterans has not yet
been extended but will be at an early date.
*#*x*
Most of the work of Congress during
the past week has been done in commit
tee. The House of Representative has
passed bill providing for a permanent
census bureau and the Senate has enacted
measure providing for the establish
ment of department of Commerce and
Labor" The Ways and Means Com
mittee has determined TO report bill
abolishing the special war revenue taxes
occasioned by the Spanish war. Nothing
definite has been done in regard to the
Philippine tariff measure which still lies
on the Senate desk as unfinished bus
mess" The question of reciprocal rela-
tons with Cuba remains in statu quo, the
republicans having framed no measure
and the democrats awaiting republican
action.
49,
At Fridays Cabinet meeting the Pres
ident assured his advisors that he was
mistaken i'll his contention for rs per
cent reduction of the tariff on Cuban
sugar and tobacco. He also issued
sweeping order regarding the use of in
fluence to secure increases of salaries by
government employees. He positively
prohibits the solicitation of an increase of
pay ''either directly or indirectly, indi-
vldually or through associations and
any attempt to influence in their own
interest any other legislation whatever.
either before congress or its committees.
under penalty of dismissal from the gov
ernment service" The order, if enforced,
is likely to work all immense reform in
the federal service.
49,
Hon. John w. Ross, one of the CON-
mssioners of the District of Columbia,
has made an appeal for civil service
reform in the administration of the affairs
of the District. He states that under the
present system at least one third of the
time of the commissioners is taken up Gin
listening to appeals for appointments,
which Mr.. Ross declares is most embar-
RAISING to the commissioners and waste
full of their time. He declares that hun
dreds of appeals are filed for every vac
ancy and he feels confident that not only
the commissioners but the Senators and
Representatives would be greatly relieved
were the offices of the District placed
within the classified service.
***x*
An amusing incident happened Satur-
day at the capitol. The chairman of the
committee appointed to receive Admiral
Schley at Nashville wired Congressman
Gaines asking information in regard to
the proper salute. Mr.. Gaines posted
himself at the Navy Department and
wired back, "a salute of thirteen guns
with two ruffles and flourishes," the ruff.
files and fourishes referring to the part
performed by the drums and trumpets.
The chairman, however, did not under
stand and wired back. "Please tell us
what you mean by ruffles and fourishes
We are not up on lingerie"