Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 June 1889 — Page 4

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, JUNF 19, 1889.

THE D AILY JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1889.

WASHINGTON OFFICE 513 Fourteenth St. P. 8. IIkath, Correspondent NEW YORK OFFICE 204 Temple Court, Comer Beekman and Nasaa Street. Telephone Calls. Bn1ne Offlc 23S Editorial Room U3 TKI131S OF SUllSCttirTION. DAILT. One year. wl'hmit Fnnday fltOO One year, with Sunday 14.00 Six mom I j a. without tsanday - 600 Six month a, with Sunday 7.00 Three month, wlthont Sunday 2.00 Three rnontfcf with Sunday 150 One month, wlthont snntlay 1.00 One month, with Sunday 1-30 WIEKLT. Per year fl-00 Reduced Rates to Clubs. Subscribe With any ol our numerous agents, or end subscription to THE JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, IXDIAlflPOLIS. IXD. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL Can b found at the following place: LONDON American Exchange In Europe, 449 Strand. PABis American Exchange in Parta, 25 Boulevard des Capucine. JfEW TO HS Olleey Iloua and Windsor Hotel. PHILADELPHIA A. P. Xemble. 7 Laneaater arenas. CHICAGO Palmer Houae. CINCINNATI. P. Hawley A Co., 154 Vina street. LOUISVILLE C. T. Tertn. northwet corner Third and Jefferson street 8T. LOUIS Union N'evra Company. Union Depot and Southern Hotel VA8IHNGT0N, D. C-RlgRS House and Ebbitt Hoom. - Johnstown Relief Fund. The Journal baa received the following sums from residents of Mapleton, Ind: Tier. Joeeph IT. Smith $2.00 Mrs. 8. A. Smith 1.00 Betah Smith 50 John Smith 25 Hunter Smith i!5 Mrs. Eliza Smith 1.00 Mrs. Amanda Patten........................ 25 Meppe Patten 10 Our fcister 50 Total ; $5.85 Read the letter from the Knight of Pythias, at Brazil. He deals in solid facts. Our Brazil correspondent contributes some more. The alleged Indian outbreak in Minnesota proves to have been only a drunken spree. The government should eee that the Indians get better "whisky. Monday was not a cold day, but the temperature of the atmosphere in the Council chamber must have fallen very rapidly when statesman Coy, fresh from Michigan City, gravely objected to the Baloon tax on account of itsunconstitutionality. These are the Democratic statesmen who voted against increasing the saloon tax: Burns, Coy, Gaul, Ilicklin, Johnson, Kelley, Markey, O'Connor, Parkinson and Stuckrneyer. They are a fine lot of patriots to intrust with the government of a city. A cable dispatch says that the Russian army is to be armed with breechloading rifles which fire with noiseless powder. The Czar will have a good tirao keeping those arms out of the -hands of Nihilists.' Noiseless powder is just what they have been hunting after. Woman suffrage is undergoing another ordeal in Wyoming. Women have voted for many years in the Territory, and now the question is whether they shall continue to do so when the Territory becomes a State. If so, it must be embodied in the Constitution about to be framed, and that is the sticking point. . The commissioners of Clay county issue an appeal to the public for charity. They say they are informed and believe there are 5,203 persons in the county, families of striking miners, who need relief. They do not speak of their own knowledge, nor officially, and base their appeal on reports made to them, as they say, bj' "authorized representatives of the striking miners." Their appeal. is addressed to the Governor. The release of Alexander Sullivan on bail was entirely proper and in accordance with legal usage. lie has not yet been indicted, and may not be. The investigation by the coroner's jury was, to say the least, ex parte, and its -finding very different from that of a grand or petit jury. However embarrassing Mr. Sullivan's position may appear at present, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence until something is proved against him. His bail was fixed at a high figure, and having given it, he has complied with all the requirements of the law. There is not the slightest danger of his running away or failing to respond to an indictment if one shall be found against him. One side of a story is always good until the other side is heard. Mr. Sullivan's side has not been heard yet. People who are atfecting such great concern over the President's failure to appoint Mrs. Dc La Hunt postmaster at Cannelton seem to have overlooked the following card, published by her in the Cannelton Enquirer in November last: a card. In order to silence all and nnmerous unauthorized expression concerning my desire or expectation of obtaining the Cannelton postoffice, I wish to say, once for all, that I am not, have not been, and shall not be an applicant for that otlice. The above statement may appear premature, but it is called forth by tbe fact that I have been greatly annoyed of late by the continued canvass of my name in connection with the possible change of postmaster at this place a position which seems to have far greater allurements to others than to me. I am thankful for all the kind expressions of my friends in this behalf, but I choose to have it distinctly understood that my interest in Republican success is not measured by any hope or expectation of official reward. Isabkllk de la Hunt. Cannelton, Ind., Nov. 12. 1883. After the publication of this card several candidates applied for the office, and Mr. Zimmerman got it. The ma terials for a sensation do not seem to ex ist here. City Attorney Taylor's opinion and the authorities cited remove all doubt . as to the authority of the Council to in- ' crease the saloon-license fee at anytime and in any amount, up to the maximum of $200, and collect the, increase from those who have paid as well as from those who have not. The license is not a contract, and its payment confers no vested rights. It is simply a police reg ulation, which may be altered or amend td at any time. The result is that un

der the increased rate persons who have already taken out licenses at the lower rate will be credited with the amount paid and will have to pay the balance up to $250. This construction of the law practically cures the action of the Council by which it was thought a large number of saloon-keepers would escape the increased license. The Board of Aldermen will, of course, pass the ordinance without delay. It will add nearly $50,000 a year to the city's revenues.

THE CrVTL-SEBVICB LAW. No human law is perfect, and it is nothing against the civil-service law to say that it has some defects. The law is experimental, and can doubtless be improved as time develops its weak points. Its object is in the highest degree praiseworthy. To abolish the spoils system in the classified civil service and substitute the merit system; to improve the efficiency of the service; to do away with sweeping removals in subordinate places, and to render the service more stable as well as efficient, are objects worthy of the most determined effort of all who desire good government. These are the objects of the civil-service law. That the present law has contributed and is contributing to these important ends there can be no doubt. The enactment of the law, and its practical application for nearly six years, have done' much to provoke discussion and educate the public, mind as to the object and merits of the system. The people want an efficient and stable civil service. They are not largely interested in the distribution of petty places. They see no promise of good government or progressive efficiency in the public service in the application of the spoils system. They do not believe in clean sweeps by either party. They believe in appointments, promotion, and retention for merit and efficiency, and not for party service. This is the creed of the masses of the people, whatever , the working politicians may think. Therefore, civilservice reform, as represented and embodied by the present law, is popular with all who are not personally interested in a return to the spoils system. The present law may require material changes in its provisions and administration, but they should be progressive instead of retrogressive. The primary object must be kept steadily in view, and any movement on the subject must bo forward and not backward. - The law provides that the commissioners "may make investigations concerning the facts, and may report upon all matters touching the enforcement and effects of the civilservice rules and regulations, and con cerning the action of any examiner or board of examiners hereinafter provided for, and its own subordinates and those in the public service, in respect to the execution of this act." The present visit of the commission to this city is in pursuance of this provision. They have no other object or interest but a strict and impartial enforcement of the law, according to its letter and spirit, for the purposes of its enactment, and in this they are entitled to the cordial sympathy and support of all good citizens. The investigation which the commission is now making of the postoffice is in marked contrast to the one made during the late administration. Then the commission was Democratic, now it is Republican. The former investigation was a political farce and a white-wash-'ing fraud. The present one is honest, fearless and thorough. President Harri son and the Republican party are pledged to the faithful enforcement of the law, and it is the duty of the commissioners to assist to that end. That they are doing it in the true spirit of the law shows the difference between Democratic and Republican methods. The way to enforce a law is to enforce it. THE NEW SITE FOB THE POST0ITI0E. The discussions of the proposed now site for the government building ought not to bo based upon the theory that there is but one suitable place; though, so far, it generally points to the half-square on the west side of Pennsylvania, between Ohio and New York streets. There may bo good reasons why it should go further north, and probably further west." When the present site was selected there was a general murmur, and its location so far from the then business center of the city was charged to the influence of John M. Talbott, then postmaster. Judge Perkins, then living on West New York street, north of the park, was especially hostile to the location, as being too far from the State-houso and the hotels, and he bitterly denounced it in the columns of his paper, the Richmond Jeffersonian, which he continued to use several years after his election to the'Supreme Bench, whenever ho had a personal or political grievance to air. Oliver H. Smith, living on Tennessee street, in the north part of the Hendricks building, and Caleb B. Smith, Hying near Judge Perkins, on New York street, were also conspicuous in their hostility to the location. But no one now thinks it too far from the center. Another thirty-two years may show that the entire block between Illinois and Meridian, and south of North street, is not only not too far north, but also not too large, while fifty to a hundred years henco the wonder will be just what the wonder now is as to the present building why the government ever built with such narrow views. The universal favor with which the suggestion is received not only in Indianapolis but " throughout the State, is highly encouraging, and, so far as heard from, members of Congress from other States give it a very respectful hearing. In some quarters, at least, the discussion takes quite a mistaken view of tho case. Men talk as if the present plans of the government contemplate building to and remodeling the present structure. While no plan has yet been matured or hardly suggested, this is not for a moment entertained. The government does not patch up such buildings. Even if located where the present building is, that structure will come down and a new one will be built, more modern in its pattern and so as to be a unit "from cellar to garret." This fact, of itself, will go far toward settling the question of a new site, for it. will tako several

years to build it, and the postoffice

must have a home meanwhile. To make this change of location will be nothing new. The government has twice changed the location of its building in Cincinnati since our postoffice was built. Finding that it had miscalculated as to the demand for room, it promptly abandoned the first location and building, which had cost more than a million, and promptly sought a new locality and put up a building which meets present necessities, and which can be enlarged as the demands of fifty, or a hundred, or five hundred years hence may require. It will do that in our case if we present the facta in the spirit of unity which now seero3 to prevail. With no purpose to antagonize any liberal plan, the Journal takes occasion to mention the Board of Trade as the proper mover in this enterprise, and that the plan include a full square instead of less territory. The ground will be needed in le6S than a hundred years. - AmVEBSABY OF WATERLOO. Seventy-four years ago yesterday the battle of Waterloo was fought, a battle which has been more over-estimated in its results than any one battle in the world's history. It was a great and bloody engagement, but its immediate results were not so much due to the superior skill or bravery of Wellington and his forces as to the practical exhaustion of Napoleon and his cause. The British were fighting for their national integrity, and the cause was on the Nation's heart, while Napoleon was the only inspiration of the opposing forces, and conquest was his chief aim. It is i customary to say that if the decision of that day's battle had been in favor of Napoleon the map of Europe would have been reconstructed. Not at all. Another battle would have been fought some other place, and possibly others, until Napoleon, the inspiration of the strife, was subdued. The battle ended that war, but it settled nothing. It was not .half as decisive as tho little battle at New Orleans, five months previous. That settled some things, though it was fought more than two weeks after the treaty of peace had been signed. The battle of Waterloo terminated Napoleon's career and sent to their homes his allies, but it settled nothing for Frapce, even. It deposed Napoleon, but thirty-six years later another Napoleon was on the French throne. A Bourbon took possession of the French throne only to see the last of the Bourbons driven into exile in less than twenty years. It was a great battle, but decisive of nothing. By the way, one battle seldom is decisive. It was not Appomattox, or New Orleans, or Yorktown that decided the questions at issue. The . arguments had been heard on earlier battle-fields. But it is well to remember that " seventy-four years ago the battle of Waterloo was fought, arid then to remember that the world the whole world -has moved since. AMERICAN TEADE Iff MEXICO. ' ' -. The Louisville Commercial .'.prints "al letter from Mr. J. H. Meyer, an Amerifcan merchant doing business in New Mexico, giving some of the reasons why, in the writer's opinion, American 'merchants and manufacturers fail to get a controlling share of Mexican trade. As these reasons go to the root of all successful trade they are of general interest. They are, first, lack of perseverance; second, lack of tact and politeness in dealing with foreigners; third, unwillingness to accommodate buyers and suit their tastes; fourth, the tariff. We notice the last point to dispose of it first. Mr. Meyer is a free-trader, and, like all other free-traders, holds that the tariff renders it impossible for American manufacturers to compete successfully for foreign trade. Facts, figures and statistics prove the contrary, and we dismiss this statement with the remark that it is not true. On the other points Mr. Meyer writes sensibly and tells American merchants and manufacturers some things they would do well to ponder. He says Mexico is naturally a slow country, and it takes time to establish trade there. Europeans recognize this fact, and labor patiently for years to obtain a foothold and lay the foundation of profitable trade. Americans, on the contrary, establish a branph house or agency, and if it does not show good profits in the first six months or a year at furthest, they give up. He says he has seen this repeated many times. It is a poor exhibition of American enterprise. The European merchant or trader makes less noise, but shows better staying qualities. Second, Americans are not as polite in their dealings with the Mexicans as Europeans are. The Mexicans are naturally a polite people, and expect politeness in return. Europeans, naturally more polite than Americans, favor them in this regard, and get their reward in orders which Americans drive away by their rudeness and ill manners. This is not a pleasant thing to be told, but bofore resenting the imputation we had better ascertain if it is not true. Politeness costs nothing, but it is a very important factor in business, and one whose value Americans are apt to underrate. Finally, Mr. Meyer says American manufacturers are constantly throwing away Mexican trade because they will not defer to Mexican tastes and fancies in regard to goods. They insist on making things according to their own ideas, instead of those of their customers. Mr. Meyer says: One example only of many which cam under my personal observation. Not long ago sauiplcsof American prints, were received hore, furnished by one of the largest manufacturers in the United States. Ouo of the most prominent importers in this country made his selection, naturallv selecting patterns which he knew by long experience would tell, and leaving out those he knew were entirely unsalable. The orderwas forwarded four or five weeks after receipt of the samples. Only rive weeks later a characteristic answer was received here stating that order can not be executed, "because, first, the samples sent represent mostly old styles which cannot be had any more: second, yon must take the goods, i. ... the cases, such as they are assorted for yon and yonr market in our factory; if you want to make your own selections, and buy only what you think is salable in your market, you must pay us an extra price." This is American all over. If the Mexican scnoritas or Indian girls do not fancy Rhode Island prints, they don't

know what is pretty, and if they want something different they must pay extra for it. This" may be very independent, but it is not business.' A manufacturer or merchant should try to please his customers instead of himself, and suit their tastes, not his own. European manufacturers understand this to perfection, and consult the tastes; and whims of their Customers all over the world. Mr. Meyer says the idea of American goods being kept out of Mexico by "European intrigue" is all nonsense. The only intrigue about it is that Europeans know how to do business better than Americans do. If our manufacturer and merchants want to control Mexican trade they must adopt better business methods.

From the fact of Sim Coy's being a saloon-keeper some people might think that personal interest led him to vote against the $250 saloon license. But we have his word for it that he regards the actauthormng the increase as unconstitutional. It seems he has been spending part of his leisure time recently in studying constitutional law. The Democrats ought to send him to the Legislature. A Democratic constitutional lawyer is badly needed there. The Sew Gas Ordinance. The ordinance which is now pending in the Council, to take a municipal oversight of the gas business, was introduced none too soon, but it will be incomplete if it does not provide that no one shall be intrusted with the oversight of any gas job who has not passed an inspection and been licensed According to law. It is not enough that bosses may have a license if they may give up their work to inexperienced and careless employes. Presumably the business is easily learned, and so far as skill is concerned, a boy of fifteen may be quite competent to do the mechanical part of the work, but has a boy of that age the wisdom necessary to the oversight of a work involving so much of life and property? That a great deal of bad plumbing has been done no one. now doubts, and, as a rule, this has not been done by those who earned on small shops and for tho most part did their own work. Let the ordinance lay its hand on the hand that does the work, and, if its powers will allow, let it attach a personal responsibility to the workman, so as, in Rome degree, to make the man who does the work responsible for damages clearly traceable to neglect or ignorance. It may be too soon to amend the fuel-gas ordinance so as to insure greater equity between the company and the consumer. The burdens of the present ordinance touch both. On tho one hand, some are wasteful. They pay for ' but one or two fires and keep them going day and night in the winter, and seem to be sorry that the intense heat of the summer's sun renders it uncomfortable to "get the worth of their money" in June, July and August a9 well as in January. On tho other hand, some have connected the gas with bed chambers and 6pare rooms and bath-rooms, in which lire is needed only a very small part of the time. These could easily accommodate themselves to a less wasteful use of the fuel. It is not to the interest of the public to oppress the companies, nor to the interest of any company to oppress the public, or any individual. A well-matured plan of buying and selling by measurement is the fair method. This need not imply that the manufacturer or the hotel proprietor should pay exactly the same rate that a small consumer does; yet, the difference need not be greater than is, found in the price of ether fuel. The Journal asks that the pending ordinance be so amended as to hold the man who has the immediate oversight of the job equally re sponsible with his principal for careless plumbing, and that at an early day careful consideration be given the jnstice of buying and selling by measurement. TnE proposition of the street-railroad company is to sprinkle the streets along several of its main lines if the city will put up attachments, so that hydrant connections can be made, and furnish the water. This is a liberal proposition, and should be accepted at once. Sprinkling by a moving water-car has been satisfactorily tested in other cities, and the Council should lose no time in having it introduced here. ABOUT. PEOPLE AND THINGS. Arabi Pasha, the Egyptian patriot, complains that his incarceration at Ceylon is killing him. The climate is too damp, and he is tortured with rheamatism. In the painting of him, recently presented to the Boston Medical Library, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes is represented sitting in an arm chair at a desk, writing. It is said to be an excellent likeness. The gossips of Europe tell great yarns about tho Shah "of Persia's grandeur. It is stated that the precious stones imbedded in his throne are worth $30,000,000. On the other hand his manners aren't worth a denarius. Continental papers report a literary treasure-trove from Bologna. In a bundle of papers in the Biblioteca Commnnale there were found treatises by the famous physicist Galvani, and by the eminent f hysician Morgagni, besides several older tali an plays, and an account of the great trial, in the sixteenth century, of four Bolognese students for heresy. "People wonder," said Chauncey Depew the other day, "about what they call the omniscience I display in my af ter:dinner speeches. Why, it's simply by hunting up men and things in cyclopedias and frescoing them in my mind in my own way that I have beconio the know-everything lellow they're making so much fuss about." and the great, good, man laughed heartily at the thought. Sir Julian Pauxcefote, British minister to this country, is a pronounced bibliophile. He spends a good deal of time in Washington groping around in second-hand book stores in search of rare volumes, lie buys sparingly, however, aud knows how to drive a good bargain. He is making a specialty of books about American peculiarities, aud is coaxing an appreciation of our humor into life. The Boston Globe starts the theory that Miles Standish was an Irishman. Because his name was written P. Miles Standish, he was probably the original Paddy Miles. The New York Sun destroys this theory, first, on the ground that Miles Standish lost a wife through bashfulness, which no Irishman ever did since the world began; second. Miles Standish sent another man to do his courting for him, and no Irishman ever did that either. Anton Meucci, Garibaldi's old compatriot, is still living at the old house at Clifton. Staten island, in which Garibaldi . manufactured candles when in this country. Mr. Meucci has Just recovered from an illness which atone time looked very serious. Although nearly four score years in age the old gentleman has sufficient vitality left in his body to be able to pull through. His bouse is visited daily by scores of Italians, men and women, who pay homage to it. - The Supreme Court of Iowa has just made a decision in a curious case that of Nancy Miller vs. her husband, for breach of contract. The two had had quarrels. To prevent their recurrence, it was agreed that if Mrs. Miller would look cloioly afte r

all the wants of the f amilv, Mr. Miller would pay her $200 yearly. last rows were to be forgotten. 3Irs. Miller did her part, bat her husband failed to pay. and she sued for the money. The court held that the contract was void, because against public policy. Etuelbert D. Warfield will be formally inaugurated as president of Miami University, on June 30. The address on behalf of the alumni is to be delivered "by Hon. Calvin S. Brice. The Hon. John W. Herron, of Cincinnati, will speak for the board of trustees, and Judge Joseph C. Cox. of Glendale. will administerthe oath of office, after which the president will deliver the inaugural address. Mr. Wartield is one of tbe youngest college presidents in the country, having been graduated from Princeton in 18S2. The Rev. Dr. Cunningham, who succeeded Dr. Tulloch as principal of St. Andrew's University, Scotland, is a man of marked individuality. A few years ago, when he was the pastor of a conntry church, he horrified old-fashioned Presbyterians by advising his congregation to take advantage of a dry Sunday to get in their crops, instead of going to church. And in tho General Assembly of the Established Church of Scotland, which was recently held in Edinbnrg. he moved that the Apostles' Creed be dropped from a certain book of devotions. That he is still a minister in good standing of the Established Church is evidence of the toleration that obtains in that body.

COMMENT AND OPINION. If society has the moral right to prevent the transmission of vast fortunes from one generation to another, why has it not a right to limit the possessions of a man while he is alive? New York Herald. He is a queer Dick who wants the world revolutionized in his way . or in no way. He doesn't care to lessen crime; he wants to abolish it altogether and right off, before the moon gets full again. New York Herald. The present tendency of public opinion is strongly adverse to political prohibition, not because desire for genuine temperance reform has at all diminished, but because the method of Prohibitionists has come to be distrusted and heartily disliked. New York Tribune. There should be art schools in every manufacturing region, and when they have been established tor awhile our manufacturers will understand wherein beauty of design consists, and our workingmen will be able to produce goods as artificially admirable as those of any other nation can, Louisville Commercial. - - -. The States of this Union have to educato their own citizens, they have to care for their own victims of intemperance. Why should the States and the local authorities be denied the right of taxing to the full extent the whisky traffic? Why should a State in which public sentiment favors prohibition be compelled to allow government gin-mills on every .cross-roads corner? New York Press. The reform that is most needed now is to relieve the heads of the government from undue pressure of office-seekers. This would not be accomplished in the least by abolishing the four-year term. But it would follow to a very large extent if each, administration were to allow the subordinate officials to serve out their terms, excepting Where there is just cause for removal. Philadelphia Press. " The fact that members of the Clan-na-Gael are among the most ardent advocates of the policy of bringing the murderers of Cromn to justice, no matter who the criminals may be, should be remembered to tho credit of that order. All law-abiding and honorable citizens are in favor of this course, and the great majority of the members of the society undoubtedly belong to this class.--St. Louis Globe-Democrat. If this unlawful and extortionate combination the Sugar Trust is allowed full swing, it will outstrip the Standard Oil Company in its profits. Sugar is a necessary of life in these days, and when it conies to tho consumer the least shade of advance in price is an immense sum in the aggregate. The next Congress ought to take this matter in hand. The present tariff a Word s protection to producers, and it is entirely competent for Congress to so adjust and condition duties as to break up this monopolistic trust. Chicago Inter Ocean. THE FIRST rOSTMISTftESS, . Widow of a Revolutionary Patriot, Appointed by Washington. Sunny Sooth. She was the widow of Colonel Andrew Balfour, of those revolutionary times in the days of our good and great President, Washington. She was a Miss Elizabeth Dayton, of Newport, R. I. Balfour came to America from Edinburgh. Scotland, in 1772, landing at Boston. He was a few years in the North married Miss Dayton in New York City. In 1777 he sailed for Charleston, but the distracted state of the countrv induced him to leave his wife and her children with relatives in .New England until he could prepare a - Southern home for them, but soon after this the tide of war turned South and rolled its wave over the Carolinas, and her husband cast in his lot with, the defenders of the home of his adoption (North Carolina); but he soon fell a victim to the barbarity of a party of royalists, led by Col. Fannin, a British otlicer, who murdered Balfour in his house, in the presence of his sister and his eldest child. Soon as Mrs. Balfour heard of her husband's death she hastened South, coming in caro of General Green, who landed at Washington. From thence it was a tedious trip through the country to the home, in Randolph county, where her noble husband was murdered. As the country was still unsafe, Mrs. Balfour deemed it improper to live upon the plantation. With sorrow she turned away, from his lonely resting-place, and went to Salisbury until she could return to the spot so dear to her. While residing in Salisbury President Washington appointed her postmistress, which position was tilled with entire satisfaction, and when her accounts were audited she was only one-half a cent behind. Due to the Weather. Brooklyn Eagle. The attempt to force the discussion of the question of the next Democratic candidate for the presidency is undoubtedly owing to the increased activity of the "sun spots" and the consequent absence of many of those delightful conditions which usually make the month of June so attractive. Such weather as wo have been having drives some desperate men to suicide and others to futile dalliance with the political probabilities of a remote future. The Pranks of Royalty. Philadelphia Record. Don Carlos, who styles himself Charles VII of Spain, is also a claimant for the throne of France, but as he is modest enough to think that he could not fill both positions and do justice to the people he lias appointed his heir, tho Prince of Asturias. successor to the French crown. There is as much fun in these royal personages as could be found in any of their types whose antics amuse us in opera boutte. ' Legal Hanging Only. Chicago Tribune. In order to quiet tho nerves of a number of excellent persons who have been terribly shocked to learn that a corporation for executing criminals in rirst-class style has been formed in Chicago, we are able to say on the highest authority that this corporation will not go about tho country executing person promiscuously. None but those who arelegally entitled to be hanged will receive any attention from it. A Real Candid Chicago Girl. Brooklyn Eagle. There is nothing that foreigners more-enjoy than the candor and naivete of Chicago girls. A French lover of the arts mustered up courage enough to as! oneofthem: "Do you paint?" Oh, no. indeed," she candidly responded, "but I've long suspected that ma does." Ilard to Say No. Milwaukee Sentinel. General Alger says that he would rather be President than "to be the lifelong Czar of all the Kussias." When a man feels like that it is hard to say "no" to him. May Flap Together. Illinois Stat Journal. Possibly both wings of the Democratic party will "llap together" when they engage in chasing rainbows under the lead of Cai. Brice.

A CIVIL-SERVICE INQUIRY

The Commissioners Object to Some Ap pointments Made by the Postmaster, Facts &s to Moore, Wheat aud Tousey Beins: Ix the Service Submitted, with Remarks as to What the fiules Require. It Is Said tho Law Was Violated in Ono or Two Particulars as to These Men. A Plain and Forcible Statement from Mr. Wab lace as to His Purposes What the Probable Conclusion of the Inquiry Will Be. The three Civil-service Commissioners, Messrs. Lyman, Roosevelt and Thompson, yesterday, in beginning their investigation' of the postoffice, determined that it should be conducted publicly. Tho inquiry began in Postmaster Wallace's private room, where reporters were made welcome. They first examined the records, when it was found that since August, 18SS, two hundred and eight persons have filed applications for examinations by the local civil-service board. Many of these were marked "soldier," and Mr. Lyman, president of the board, wanted to know why this had been, done. S. G. Woodard. the secretary of tho local board, said it was his understanding that soldiers were entitled to a credit of 5 per cent, in their examination ratings. .To this President Lyman responded, "Not unless they are discharged for disability while in the service. w Lucius B. Swift and William Dudley Foulke looked over a list of some of tho re ' cent applications. They desired to know why . no certificates of character acccmpaniedthe names. President Lyman made' explanation that such certificates were no longer required. It had been found to be av means of introducing politics into the service, as applicants would get the signs-, tures of influential politicians, and theso would have weight, ii there was a disposition to givo political preference in making, appointments. Tho records of the secre- ttarr of the local board were then opened, and showed the following names of persons who passed the examinations last August and February as eligiblb to appointment, together with tho average per cent, of each: For Clerks. Jesse C. Smith. 881 John G. Edmunds.. ..7 Henry Arbison 73John Laughlin W. H. Kastner 71Saramle Barrett.... ( Chas. B. Fawkner 87 Herbert SneUman....fc4 Frank M.NorthAy..71 John W. Frietzsche...77 Patrick J. Gorman... 70 Wm.Fricker 83 James W. Hobbs 89 Clarence II. Marpln.8 B a r tb o Ion; e w O' Lea ryr J. W. wton 83 R, J. Abrlet :i j Calvin Hollwell 83 Hugh A. Cuiaming8..Sl5 CUrkx. Henry M. DeWitt ....61 J. C. Brown 1 John L. Etter 78 Thada K. York. ...... 77 Lemuel F. Apple 7( Don B. Wells 7U Charles Humphrey lllenry 6. George 74 Evaus 70JThomas Judd 72 Charles W. Fentou...7sj Tor '2Iai!-Carricr. Charles Faulkner . . . .:i.Daruey Aicrumg..... : J 01T. . a 1 i I Alex. E. Manning 71 Albert Bowers 75 John P. Lyendecker..74 Sidney J. Gibson T3 Wni. S. Warner 81 Riley T. White 73 Wm. F. Htieff 7(1 Mike H.Counell 7t Elmer E. Blrd..M....7.t W. McEldowfley..7o Henry Barrett 73 Robert Felton 70 The records showed that four appointments had been made by Postmaster Wallace, and that three of these were mail-carriers James W. Doran, appointed April' 10; J. U. Hobbs, May 1 and Kobert 11. Blackledge, June 11. On June 1 W. A. Carson was appointed a clerk. The reinstatements were shown to be J. A. Downey, J. M. Taylor and George W. Sulgrove.'Mr. KooseveJt stated that under the rules any old soldier could now be reinstated without reference to his having been out of the service more than a year this being a change from the rule under tho Cleveland administration, and will probably result in the immediate reappointment of some of tho employ ea dismissed during the first year of Mr. Jones's occupancy of the onice of postmaster. Mr. Koosevelt also directed attention to the case of Charles F. Moore, who had been reinstated in the service, although discharged by Postmaster Jones, within a year of tho time of his reappointment. The commissioner inquired ybat the records showed as to the case. There was no record, and Mr. Wallace said the information about tho charges was all hearsay. It was pointed out that the rules require that "such separation was not occasioned by his delinquency; or misconduct." Mr. Wallace said that ne had found that Moore had ; special fitness for tho work, although there had been some charges made against him of gambling for the purpose of having cause lor dismissing him from the service. "You inquired as to his fitness," said Mr. Koosevelt, "and not as to his character?'' "It was told me," said Mr. Wallace, "by Mr. Eddy that the charge against Moore was a put-up job." Mr. Koosevelt remarked that if any accusations are established in a court, regardless of the justice of them. it is evidence that must not bo disregarded. Assistant Postmaster Thompson wanted to know what evidence must be taken; whether newspaper reports were sufficient. Mr. Koosevelt said to take the records, though it seemed the records of this office have been carelessly and poorly kept. Mr. Lyman explained the violation of tho law by Postmaster Wallace in appointing Moore without having made a requisition for his reinstatement and without certifying that he had not' become separated from the service on account of misconduct. Before Moore could be legally taken into the service it was imperatively necessary that this requisition should be made. The postmaster must assert that the removal of the person to be reinstated was not occasioned by any charces against him. "The burden of proof in this case," remarked Mr. Koosevelt, "lies with tho postmaster, and he is held strictly responsible." "As to the case of f Moore," said Mr. Lvman, "I think it is clear and well established that one postmaster cannot revise the indgmentof his predecessor; we have held that in all cases." There were no charges against Moore" said Mr. Wallace, "he resigned. Ho felt that he was being hounded, and he went to Mr. Jones and tendered his resignation. It is true he was arrested for playing a game of poker with friends. The young man is not a professional gambler, and is not dissipated. I got these facts from Mr. David Elliott." "Is it not your intention to obey tho law." asked Mr. Koosevelt. That has been mv intention from the beginning," said Mr. Wallace: "never in any interview have I said anything else." "I saw an interview," continued Mr. Koosevelt, "in which you were quoted as saying you would obey the law, but would give preference where you could to Kopublicans." "That was misunderstood." replied tho postmaster. "I intended that it should apply only to excepted places." Inquiries were made about Wheat and Tousey. It was explained that they were employed as substitutes for mon who were awnv on leave of absence on account of sickness. President Lyman said there was no provision for employment of substitutes except bv certifications from the local civil-bervice board. Mr. Wallace and Mr. Thompson both insisted that m this case it was absolutely necessary to tako experienced men that it took a man a year to learn the work. Assistant Postmaster Thompson naid he could not see that this was a violation of the law. to which Mr. Koosevelt replied sharply, requesting him to read the law, that it was his duty to know the law, and comply with it. He was informed that Wheat was not legally reinstated under the rules, and that the appointment of Tousey was wholly illegal. The commissioners ordered that Wheat's and Tousey 's connection with the officeraust cease at once. Mr. Thompson insisted that their dismissal would impair the service, to which the Commissioners replied that he would be held accountable for the impairment of the service, and that he had no right to make an illegal appointment. The matter of the creation of the office held b3 Charles A." Kouscr, that of night superintendent, cizrD