Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-10-05
WASHINGTON NOTES.

An interesting controversy has arisen
in Washington regarding the date with
which the architects for the House OF
Representatives Office building have in
scribed the cornerstone of that struc-
ture. As engraved, the stone bears the
line "MDCCCCv," whereas many of
the savans in the national capital claim
that it should read "MCMV," and the
plain people are asking why it would
not be better to inscribe in plain 1905, !"
30 that even members of Congress
would be able to read the inscription.
The return of the President to Wash
ington will undoubtedly be followed by
! rush of senators and representatives
who are interested in appointments to
the National Capital There is large
number Of lucrative postmasterships to
be considered, and there are applica-
tions galore for nearly every Office, but
1t is understood that the President and
Postmaster General Cortelyou will fol-
low the rule adopted last spring and de-
cline to make only the absolutely neces-
sary changes until congress convenes in
December. While this will allow a
number of postmasters to hold on after
their four-year terms have been COM
pleted, it is common sense policy. To
make changes during recesses Of con-
gress necessitates good deal of un-
necessary work. The newly appointed
postmaster must file a bond, and be
given recess commission, and then if
be should not be reappointed when con-
gress reconyenes or should fail to be
confirmed, new bonds and new COM
missions must follow. Consequently,
unless appointments must be made for
the good of the service. all such changes
are held up until congress convenes.
But outside of the postmasterships,
there are number of other appoint
ments pending. For instance, there is
the public printer at $4,000 per annum,
now held temporarily by Oscar G.
Ricketts,. Mr. Ricketts, is a candidate
for the appointment and it is believed
that his chances are the best of any
person mentioned.
Another Office that will provoke q
bitter contest is that of interstate com
merce commissioner, now held by Jo-
seph w. Fifer.. of Illinois. This is a
81 500 plum, not to mention the possi-
bilities, and is rendered more attrac-
tive than ever now by the movement
to give the commission the power to
fix rates on railroads. Senator Cullom
who claims to be one Of the real au-
thors of the interstate commerce law,
win fight vigorously to have another
Illinois man given the vacancy and
especially as he comes up for re-elec-
tion next year and his ability to name
the appointee to this vacancy may helI
him in his fight. And as Pennsylvania
has never had an appointee on this com
mission. Senators Penrose and Knox are
understood to have in hiding a mar
whom they will urge at the proper time
Should congress decide to give the com
mission the increased power mentioned
the fight would become more interesting
We're it not for the fact that Mr.. Fifer'
successor must be named before Jan
uary 1, and congress will not legislat,
on the rate question before spring at tht
earliest, If then.
Pennsylvanians will also be interested
In the appointment of a new sub-treas
urer at Philadelphia to succeed w. s
Leib, who is slated for removal fo
political activity. The interest lies il
the possibility that the President ma,
break with both Senators Penrose an(
Knox and appoint an enemy Of tn,
Pennsylvania Republican organization
to the place, as he fears the two sena
tors may not present the name of MAJ
whom he can consistently appoint
NANTICOKE, Luzerne county min
ing town, has $50 cases of typhoit
fever Five deaths occurred Sunday.