Evening star., 1933-01-15
Fifty Years Ago
In The Staf.

The Literary Society of Washington,
organized in 1874, is still in existence,
Pa. holding regular fortnightly !
Literary meetings each winter and
Society. Spring. In The Star Of
January 8, 1888. In the
following paragraph In Society Notes.
Of a meeting of this organization:
"In spite Of the disagreeable weather,
the meeting of the Literary Society
at the residence Of Col. Garrick NAL
lery on Saturday evening was an ex-
ceedingly brilliant occasion. The mem
bers and guests present were thor
oughly IN accord and between literary
exercises, vocal and instrumental mu-
sic and sparkling conversation, the
hours passed delightfully."- and all too
rapidly away. The formal literary
features of the evening were a paper
by Mrs. Long, illustrating the political
influence as well as the poetical genius
of Milton, and one by Mr.. George Ken
nan, reciting scenes and adventures In
the Caucasian Mountains, and it IL
rare, indeed, that an assemblage has
placed before 1t more instructive and
in these two contributions. Music was
supplied during the evening by the
hostesses, Mrs. Camp and Mrs. Knox"
~
The passage OF the civil service bill
which was approved by President
p.,:.., Arthur 80 years ago to-
koutlcal morrow, Is the subject
~ he fo1lnxu4x- nJt&nPfaI
10. 1888:
Now that the civil service bill has
passed both Houses Of Congress and is
certain to receive the approval of the
President, candid opinions are being
expressed about it. The bill is getting
more kicks than compliments now,
particularly from the Democrats. The
truth is that there was a good deal
Of insincerity In the support and pas
sage OF the bill. and it pervaded both
parties about alike. The Democrats
sincerely wanted the bill beaten. Since
the November elections their hopes Of
success in 1884 have risen to the high
est degree, and Democratic leaders
know that their followers look forward
to the offices with an eagerness and a
hunger borne Of over 20 years expul-
sion from the public crib. But there
was a public sentiment in favor of
reform in the civil service which
Democratic Congressman feared to defy.
They knew that the Republicans would.
In the next campaign, make the Demo-
Gratis stand responsible for the defeat
of the reform If that bill were de-
feated. 1t was to avoid being charged
with this responsibility that the Demo-
Gratis voted for the bill. 1t is perhaps
caf fA b. Ak@Ak alS
Gratis who voted for the measure voted
in accordance with their sincere con-
victions or desires There is not o
Democrat in the land who does not
want his party to come into power I'M.
hampered in the matter Of making re-
movals from and appointments to Of
flee. The broad fact that the bill will
not help Democrats to Office under q
Republican administration but might
hinder Democrats from getting office
under Democratic administration was
enough to render it Objectionable to
Democrats. though, as said, many of
them took the nauseous dose because
they feared to even seem to defy public
opinion.
With the Republicans there was
just as much insincerity. They re-
garded the measure as one of policy
than OF principle. In supporting it the
Republicans were not only obeying
what was considered the popular will.
but they felt that at the same time
they were making good stroke for
cratic success in 1884 the law would
serve to keep Republicans in ONCE. It
cannot be expected that q bin passed
under these conditions and circum-
stances would be by any means per-
fect. Il Is admitted on all hands that
the bill Is crude and many who gave
it active support excuse its shortcorn-
ings by saying 1t is but a start in the
right direction; that it merely blazes
the way for other and succeeding Con-
and untraveled forest, What the bill
may accomplish depends largely upon
the President. He Is really invested
Win power enough TO make It 9 fair
success or q total failure"