St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-03-21
Our Washington Letter.

The Hepburn BjIl-SGate Laws Re
garding hallway COMMUNICATIVE
Railway Rate Bill.
From our Regular Correspondent.)
Editor CALIFORNIAN:
The Daughters of The American Revo.
luton are now making their plans for
the Continental Congress, which is to
meet here Monday, April 16. During the
II wears since the society was formed in
1890, they have enrolled 55,027 names.
Last month $50 members were admitted
and combined with the applications in
hand and with those previously made, it
will make 1865 new members this year.
AT the commencement of the year, there
was passed over into the hands of the
treasurer, $4,000, of which $22,-
900 was given and $4,000 came from
the current fund. 1t is an interesting
fact that in the drawing of seats for the
coming Congress, the Indian territory
drew the first place. One OF the features
this year will be the reception to the
charter members of the society at Con-
tinental Hall.
The veterans OF the Civil War OF the
District hold monthly reunion in the
lecture room OF the First Congregational
church here; many interesting papers and
addresses have been given in the years
past by officers and soldiers from all over
the country, by those who participated
in battle during the Civil War.
Monday, March IL, being ladies' night
there was new departure in the pro-
gram, when the presidents of the leading
patriotic organizations of women were
present and gave sketches OF the societies
and OF work accomplished. Among
other things the president of the Relief
Corps, gave some account OF the accept
ing in 1895, the place where Anderson
vile prison stood, of buying additional
land, laying it out in walks, and OF plant
ing rose garden, in order to decorate
the graves of the 1916 soldiers, who
died there in IL months, and of erecting
memorial on the spot where during
thunderstorm, lightning cleft a rock
and a spring Of water burst forth to
queuch the burning thirst OF the soldiers.
1t was an enjoyable occasion.
Corporal Tanner, COMMANDMENT chief
OF the 6. A. R., has come out in strong
protest against the passage of the bill
containing an age limit for clerks under
the civil service and Of any reduction OF
their salaries with advancing years. He
declares this bill would operate seriously
on the veterans of the Civil War. He
suggests to Chairman Tawney of the
house committee on appropriations, that
Il the same rule were applied to high as
well as low, the members OF the house
committee, some OF them, and perhaps
thespeaker. might be included. He hoped
before they passed this law they would
hear Whitcomb Riley recite Goodbye,
Jim; take keer of YOURSELF" Older clerks
affirm that experience is very valuable in
the service in many OF the departments,
and that it is often the younger clerks
who are late to the office in the morning,
who write private letters and enjoy read
ing the daily newspapers during Office
hours The chairman of the bill in pass
ing the treasury one morning, asked the
newsboy, who took that roll of several
hundred newspapers every morning, and
he replied, "the people in the treasury"
He queried. when do they find time to
read all of those papers?'
One of the occasions ofcomplaint in the
age limit of this bill is that there is no
distinction made between the old clerks
OF 65 and 70, whether weak or strong,
or whether able to do full duty or not,
tor some men at that age arein the prime
OF life. The committee feel that there
should be Redistribution of the service,
and that like service should rec eve like
pay the present system Of promotion
seems faulty, and they advise to have
commission appointed by Congress to
ADJUST the matter OF inequality and
institute reforms. For instance, a clerk
who receives a salary of $1,000 a year,
may in few years be promoted to one
ofSl400 to $500 year while doing the
same kind of work. In one department
II takes many clerks to do the same
work, which is done by smaller force in
another, hence, many claim that Con.
gress should classify clerks according to
their ability, rather than by the age
limit Gen. Grosvenor oil, Ohio, one OF
Tue veterans Of the House, made lengthy
speech on the subject; he believes in rota-
ZION in office and not in the life term plan.
representatives, Senator's aud the Presi-
uent have to pass through competitive
campaign every few years and limited
term OF Office is involved in this free
government; but he would make some
exception Of the old veterans who helped
TO save the republic 10 its late wars.
The teachers of Washington are as
rule, paid low salaries, and they are urg-
ing Congress to make some increase in
j !