Evening Star Newspaper, November 16, 1889, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, - 16. 1889-TWELVE PAGES, WHERE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED. nse The Civil Service Commission and Its inted assistant secre june, 1896, and he prone as such until the ncipal of Columbia male académy, to which Save a national reputation. He was el governor of South Carolina in 1882, and two pint later he was re-elected. He was te of the treasury close of President Cleveland's administration. Headquarters in This City. How Examinations are Conducted and Appointments are Made—The Mem- bers of the Board and Their Staff Officers—The Rooms Occu- pied by the Board at the City Hall. The purpose of the civil service act as de- clared in its title is “to regulate and improve “Re civil service of the United States.” The act provides for the appointment of three com- missioners, a chief examiner, a secretary and other employes, and makes it the duty of the commission to aid the President as he may re- quest in preparing suitable rules for carrying the act into effect; to make regulations for and President Cleveland nominated him asa civil service commissioner, but the Senate took no action on the nomination. President Harrison Tenewed the nomination in response to a re- quest from a majority of the Senate and imme- diate confirmation followed. The governor's friends are not confined to any boek He is one of the most popular offici: ernment service, or sect. in gov- control the examinations provi supervise and control the records of the same; and to make investigations and report ypon all matters touching the enforcement and the rules and regulations. The service classi- fied under the act and to which the rales spply embraces the executive departments in this city, the department of labor and the civil serv- fee commission, the customs districts. in each of which there are fifty or more employes ‘eleven in number); the forty-three post office pe each of which there are fifty or more em- ployes, and the railway mail service—aggre- po about 28,000 places. THE HEADQUARTERS OF TRE COMMISSION. ‘There is nothing particularly beautiful or attractive in the building which houses, in ad- dition to the various local courts of justice, the civil service commission—the city hall—but it is highly probable that a great many govern- ment clerks would be willing to exchange offices with the employes of the commission. The rooms are well lighted and ventilated. A stranger in the city generally has to look over the dingy- appearing front of the old building pretty thoroughly before he sees the inscription whic! indicates the whereabouts of the reformers, but as soon as he pushes open one of the doors and steps into the corridor he can find any- body connected with the commission, for the door of every room occupied by members of that repressive body or its employes has a warning sign-board over it. ‘Commissioner Lyman,” -*Commissioner — “Com- missioner Thompson,” respectively, appear in t letters o1 a eek mend on the doors wn the west side of the corridor. & MR, LYMAN’S ROOM. Naturaily Commissioner Lyman’s room is the largest. Mr. Lyman is chairman of the com- mission and in his apartment he confers with his colleagues and lays the ground work of reports and amendments that worry the spoilsmen. There is a pleasant out- look from the windows of the three offices, Police headquarters, in all its sullen beauty, is the principal feature in the landscape, the ex- tended background cf whicii is the variegated row of office buildings on 5th street. There is round, though. in which trees and “when the spring time comes, gen and refreshing, everything looks very pretty cud the air 1s pure and good Cowmissioner Charles Lyman was born in Bolton. Tolland county. Conn, April 10. 1343, and wax edoeated in the public schools of hia native town, in the Ve: non acaden high school aud Bryant college. He began teaching school at scv- enteen years of age and taught for two years. He served in the arm; during the war in the fourteenth Counecticut volunteers, and in De- cember, 1864, he was —— to a clerk- ship in the Treasury department, in which department he served CHARLES LYMAN. 48 clerk, assistant chic! of division, and chief clerk of the treasure office until May. 1833. when he was chief exan iner of the civil service ¢ by President Art and on the retiren Cowmissioner Eaton, in March, 1886, was ap- pointed by President Cléveland his successor as Civil service commissioner. On reorgan’zing tne commission under the preseat administration by the appointment of Messre. Roosevelt and Themgee, Mr. Lyman was made president of the commission. During the administra- tion of President Grant Mr. Lyman had charge of the exnmination held for the Treasury de- yartment and the New York custom house un- the then civil service commission of which Dorman B. Eaton was chairman. Personally Mr. Lyman is respected and liked by public men who do not agree with him on civil serv- ice matters. Aside from his prominence on account of his connection with civil service affairs Mr. Lyman is well known in this city through his activity in church and other or- ganizations. Asa member of the Washington city presbytery he has taken a leading part in the deliberations of that body. He has served also ax president of the Young Men’s Christian association of this city. COMMISSIONER ROOSEVELT. Although he is the youngest man on the commission it is probable that Mr. Theodore Roosevelt bas a wider national reputation than d for, and Erect of & Stratton’s business | SECRETARY DOYLE’S OFFICE. Across the corridor from the oftices of the three commissioners is the official home of Mr. John T. Doyle, secretary to the board. Secretary Doyle's office has a local interest attached to it. for it was once the head- quarters of a number of the mayors of Wash- ington. Here the mail is received and innum- erable questions are daily asked and answered. Applicants for positions are constant visitors and the variety of information for which they call is distressingly large. Each morning's mail includes from 300 to 900 letters and every one is answered. The secretary's duties are exacting and multifarious. He has to keep the minates of the board; is responsible for all the books, records, papers and other property of the commission; sees that the register of e bles are properly kept; is charged with the im- | portant duty of making certificates for appoint- | ments; and has to find time to be interviewed | by more or less a crowd of anxious ones every day. He has not much assistance, for the act of Congress which gave the commission a being and right to draw salary only provided for ten clerks, a messenger, and a laborer. Of these the secretary bas three clerks, the laborer and the messenger; the other clerks are in the office of the chief examiner. | Onan average there are 1,500 applications | | for application papers during each month, but | they do not all come back; the mere filling out | | of the blanks is more of a civil-service exam- | | ination than lots of people care to go through. | ‘The application, properly filled out, is a per- sonal history of the applicant, THE SECRETARY. Secretary Doyle was born in New York city | thirty years ago and received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Gotham, This was supplemented after- of his une’ Judge Birdsall, Whi | Mr. Doyle was but eigh:- teen years of age Vost- | master James” (after- | ward Postmaster Gen- ‘ eral) appointed bim to place of considerable | mportance in the } | York post otice, “and gif | there he remained anti! A Rg the tion of the_s/™ ommission \ When Mr, seckeTany poyne, . to be due to the influence which the commis- sion brought to bear on the enforcement of the law sees ie veterans the preference. Along with the application blank the com- mission sends a lule of examinations, There are 143 places in the United States where those who want to be examined can go through the mill, and each one can select the particular lace at which he or she would prefer to un- rgo the torture. Accompanying these uments is a detailed description of the mode of certifying and appointing. No recommenda- tions or certificate is allowed other than those on the application paper and no others would be received. There is no necessity for seeking the aid of any presumably influential person; it doesn’t do any good. 1e committee con- ducting an examination has no discretion what- ever in the examining or certif; , and its whole action is a matter of record, based upon strict justice to all applicants alike. HOW EXAMINATIONS ARE CONDUCTED. In the examinations the applicants are known only bya number which is given them from the commission's “examination sheet,” on which the numbers run continuously from one upward. The declaration sheet which dis- closes the candidate's identity is filled out and | folded by the candidate and put into a sealed envelope, on which the applicant writes his examination number only, At the close of an examination the papers are marked by the central board of examiners—gentlemen per- manently detailed from the various departments for that pu The papers are marked strictly in the order of the dates of the exami- | Bations. When the marking bas been com- | pleted the standing of each competitor is as- certained, the envelopes containing the decla- ration sheets are opened, and for the first time it is known to whom each set of examination papers belongs. The papers of supplemental examinations for places in the depart- ments which require some special informa- tion or skill in addition to the ordinary clerical qualifications—such as t; writers, stenographers, law clerks, &c:—together with those of special examinations for places like those of assistant examiners in the patent office, examiners in the pension office, meteor- ologists, botanists, &c., are marked by special boards of examiners, consisting of gentlemen in the departments who are most eminent in the specialties covered by the examinations, THE REGISTER OF ELIGIBLES, Those applicants who attain a general aver- age of 70 (excepting veteran Union soldicrs or sailors, who need obtain but 65) are entered upon the registers of clizibles in the secre~ tary’s division. Those who have taken the at once for the clerk's office in the ¢ity hall. They get the license and then they want a preacher; want him at once. A m them and is just as much pleased over the assistance he has rendered them as though he had been presented with a check for $100 as a recompense for tying the knot. ‘The weeks and months roll steadily on and to many a waiting one the appointment comes not. Inquiry is constantly being made at the offices of the commission as to the possibilities or probabilities, Col. Webster is perplexed and his kindly heart throbs tee magemear ood with the auricles and ventricles of the modern le is worried by ‘ing and the com have to endure much for there is no In the corridor are two long benches and on these ‘anxious seats” the hungry office hunters rest themselves and wait the appearing of the particular commissioner who can, they think, end the struggle if he only would. There isa good deal of humun nature to be found around the offices of the United States civil service commission, TO PREVENT COLLISION. The Rules of the Road Further Amended by the Marine Conference, The consideration of amendments to the rules of the road was resumed by the inter- national marine conference today. The first of these amendments was that offered by the delegates from the Netherlands, proposing that the words ‘‘in sight of each other” be in- serted in article 14, 80 that that article shall read in part: ‘When two sailing ships in sight ofeach other,” &c. Without acting on the amendment it was referred to the committee on location, Mr. Frederick Verney of Sium had proposed a number of amendments to article 14, which changed the phraseology of that article. This article treats of steering and sailing rules for preventing collisions. There was considerable objection by the conference to any clfange in the wording, and Mr. Verney withdrew his amendment, Delegate Hall of Great Britain had offered an amendment ® article 18, which treats of the action of a steam vessel approaching another vessel, ‘The amendment provides that every steam- ship that is directed by these regulations to clerical examinations have their names placed upon the registers of the states in wicks they | have their legal residence, while those who | have taken the supplementary and special ex- | aminations are orded upon separate regis- | ters, When a vacancy occurs in the clerical force of one of the departments the certification | to fill itis made from those who have taken the examination, which embraces nothing more | elaborate than can be met by any one who has had a good common school education, The | requisitions from the departments are made on | blank forms, in which the sex. salary or class of the clerk wanted are stated. APPORTIONING THE APPOINTMENTS. The apportionment of appointments to the | various states and territories is a matter that | causes a great deal of labor. The law requires | an apportionment according to population. To bring about this apportionment the commis sion assumes that 1,500 appointments will be made. The first apportionment made by the commission was based upon congressional rep~ resentation, and when that had been filled the number was raised to 1,000, Ina little while that was too small and then it was increased to 2,000, churging the previor ease of any states on the new ay These 2,000 appointments were > was made stenographer to that body. While engaged im the New York office Mr. | Doyle had not neglected his studies, of which | law was the chief, and when he came to this city he entered ¥ ¥ Ww school of Columbian | er he graduated with President Clev ce reformer of a j type and an obliging official: alwas 0 | }give such information as he may have for dis- tribution. THE SECRETARY'S ASSISTANTS, In the same room as Secretary Doyle are two other laborers in the civil service Alexander C. Campbell and Orville 8, the former asa iver and registrar of mail {and general dispenser of application blanks, | j the latter engaged in a never-ending strug with the stenozraphic and typewriting work the entire commission. Beyond the secretary's fenced sanctum, on the northern side, -y room— artment which was once used as a private by some of the mayors. In this room are papets in the eases of those who have not been appointed, but who “are ‘opes.” The gle of vet big file cases aro fall even to overtiowing and | there is pressing need for more ace | tions and increased clerical force. Chis de partment is operated by Mr. Matthew F. Hal- ioran, who 1s another example of practical re- form. When the commis oe more than six vears ago—fe was its mes: He is now doing the complica ing perfect order the list of eligibles and aking the certificates as they are called for y the various departments, IS THE CHIET EXAMINER'S DEPARTMENT. The inquisitorial department is on the second floor. There Chief Examiner Webster and hi force lay traps for the candidates and they bag | a good many of the unwary and unprepared. ‘There is nothing ornate about the furnishing of the rooms, but they are more homelike and comfortable than the offices of any other gov- ernment clerk's in the city. They are, per- aps, alittle crowded but the crowding has not yet reached a dangerous stage. When there is | a big exai'nation going on and the examina- tion room is occupied with applicants the less elbow room in the offices than there ou; to be, but such troubles are only temporai There is a good dea} of machinery in Col. Web- ster’s department, and it keeps the little fore: pretty busy to operate it. Few people realize what an amount of work is necessary before a certification can be made to a department. When any one sends to the commission foran application blank it is at once forwarded with very specific instructions and 4 positive mane date that ghere.must not be in the application any dise ‘e of religious belief or political afliliation. THE FUN OF THE THING. Some of these application blanks when filled out by applicants fornish very amusing roading, but as a rule the humor is entirely un- ger. ed work of keep even his two distin- - conscious. The first question is “What is your omgpererpang mag th name? Give full Christian name and full sur- ee ee ae name.” That the term “Christian name” is educated at Harvard. and for a while studied law. Politics claimed him for its own befcre be bad reached his twenty-fourth year, for in 1881 he was elected tothe New York state legislature as a republi- can, and when his first 4, term expired he was / Fe-electe In_ the legislature he rapidly established a reputation for ability and fearless-ruzopokE ROOSEVELT. bess in the advocacy of causes which he be- lieved to be right. “He was the originator of a number of bills which had for their object important changes in the manner of governing New York city. ‘The state civil service law was piaced on the statute books largely bh his efforts, and in every possible way he endeavored, often successfully, to reform abuses and check extravagance. 1886 Mr. Ruosevelt was nominated by the re- publicans as mayor of New York, but he failed of election. Mr. Roosevelt was appointed a ¢ivil service commissioner in May last and has 8 d in the comparatively brief interven- ing period in getting into a number of more or less interesting controversies with various champions of the “spoils” system. He bas cattle interests in the great northwest, to whieh he gave close personal supervision for some time previous to his appointment. Satiri- cally and sometimes by his Triends Mr. Roose- Yelt is denominated “the cowboy statesman.” He has made several valuable contributions to literature, his last one. “The Winning of the West,” attracting especial attention. Commis- sioner Roosevelt is very popular personally, even his political antagonists admitting his COMMISSIONER THOMPSON, The third member of the commission is ex- Governor Hugh 8. Thompson, who was ap- pointed at the same time as Commissioner June, 1886, almost continuously when Carolina in 1837, and from that year up to he was resident of his native state. Ho was educated at the South Carolina military academy, and the war of se- cession broke out he went into action with not understood by everybody has been proven by several replies. Some people supposed it meunt religious belief, and one man filled in the reply “Presbyterian Jackson Crosby” and @ woman ventured the answer ‘Methodist Mary Farrar.” A great many of the applicants are compelled to admit that they are citizens of other countries and of course are disquali- fied. but the females almost always undertake to argue the case, aud no amount of facts or reasoning will convince them that they ought to be naturalized before they enter the serv- vices of the United States. Before the organ- ization of the commission a great many who were not citizens secured appoiutmenta, LEFT TO THE APPOINTING POWER TO SETTLE. One of the questions calls for iaformation as to whether other members of the applicant's family are in Uncle Sam's service and a large Proportion of those who want to be admitted ave been preceded by relatives, he rule is that there shall not be more than two members of any one family in office atthe same time, but the commission takes no cognizance of the question of relationship until after the appli- cant has been examined and i certified for appointment. The depurtment to which tho certification has been made is then notified and the matter is lett in the bands of the Secretary |tucky to 50, North Curolina to 42, | District of Columbia to 6. or one t- | | ment, are entered upon a certification blunt | women from the copyists’ reg mixed appointments from ot! In these 1.500 appointments vl a little more than one-tenth of the popul of the country. based upon the last census. would be entitled to 151 appointments; Ken- | pointme matter of to each 500 of population, fact New York hax at this time received 78 ap- | pointments; Kentucky, 23. and North Carolina, | 22. The certification is invariably made from | the state which at the time has received the | smallest share of appointments. Lhe names ot the three persons standing highest, of the sex and grade given in the request of the depa kept in astul book and are sent to the head of | the department accompanied by the papers of | the turee eligibles. Prom the three names | thus submitted the appointing office the selection, IN THE EXAMINATION ROO, The scenes in the big examination room at the | city hal! have frequently been depicted in the columns of Tux Star, but cach examination | presents new and interesting features. ‘The most noticeable feature in each person about to be examined is his or her nervousness. Oc- i y # candidate will be found who i st an exhibition of what some peo- as weakness, but most of the would- | Be eccyaute of Uncie Samuel great trouble | with their nerves wiile the ordeal is taking | place. The chief examiner is then the biggest man they ever saw and in spite of the fact that he is one of the most thoroughly good-natured officials in the service he is regarded as a good deal of an ogre, a somebody to be feared, to be azed at only with feelings of awe aud appre- William Holcomb Webster was born at Bur- lington,Conn, ,Jan, 24,1339. Trinity college, Hart- ford, is his «lma mater, and therefrom he took ‘ the degrees of B.A. and MLA. Thirteen days after graduating he was commissioned a second heutenant of company Tin the regiment raised and eqnipped by Col. Sau. Colt’ and” com- | manded by Col, Orange 8. Ferry—the Fifth Con- Ps necticut, Promotion rapidly but the of the short by disability eon- sequent upon ardaoas service. He was then s&s counected with the vet- W. H. WEUSTER. eran reserve corps, and when the war closed was on duty in connection with the Freedman’s bureau in the state of Louis iana. In June, 1869, he was appointed toa clerk- ship in the pension bureau. and in that branch of the service he occupied responsible positions, nine years of his long ker as chief of the old war and navy div: was one of the compilers of the digest of pension laws and decisions—a standard’ work. He passed inations for promotion in the Interior department nnder the civil service rules adopted by Gen. Grantin , 1873, pass- ing at the head of a class of fifty-seven’ com- etitors. On this examination he was promoted rom #1,400 to $1,300, He subsequently served asamember ot the examining board for the Interior department during Gen, Grant's ad- ministration, Mr, Webster was appointed to his present position in September, 1886, and fills it for adjudication, The lines of relationship are very fine and it is sometimes difficult to tell what family an applicant belongs to. In re- sponse to the question: “Haye you ever been convicted of, or are you under indictment for, any crime?” very many affirmative replies have been received. Where it is evident that the crimes have been serious the commission re- fuses to receive the application; if, however, it is a matter of small consequence the appli- cant is examined and the facts in his case are reported when he is (if he ever is) certified for appointment, Ofall the thousands who have alee application blanks not one ever confessed that he or she used intoxicating liquors to ex- cess, and while a number of them aumit physi- cal disabilities they all insist that they are ca- pable of fully discharging the duties of the po- sitions to which they seek appointment, A con- siderable proportion of those who are after gov- ernment appointments have been in the public service before, and while there are other causes they all claim that they were dismissed for political reasons; that is the universal plea. Only a few persons in the army or navy make applications for examination, for they must poses — the consent of Lgrhoimeyred = a e department they ppen to be sul ordinate to. Retired officers may, however, be examined without that formality. THE APPOINTMENT OF EX-SOLDIERS. A noteworthy fact is the one that there are more ex-soldiers in the service of the United States today than there ever was before the commission was organized, and this is believed most acceptably. ON THE ANXIOUS RENCE, To leave the office of the chief examiner without mentioning the reverend gentleman who labors therein would be an unpardonable omission. Pretty nearly everybody knows the Rev. E. D. Bailey, so prominent in city mission work, but as he may be unknown rag few it may be well to identity him as the ‘ ° friend,” of young folks gun away trom Virginia or Hand or anywhere else and come to this city to get married they rush | votes were taken on the amendments providing | for the regulation of the speed of vessels in fog | existing e1 keep out of the way of another ship shall, on approaching her, slacken her speed if neces- sary or stop or reverse if necessary. Where by any of these rules one or two ships is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed. After a long discussion the latter of the amendment which reters to article was adopted and the consideration of the first part was taken up, discussed and adopted, The following new rule, proposed by Dete- gate Hall of Great Britain, was then en up: “A ship which is required by these rules to keep out of the way of another ship shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing alead of the other ship.” The rule was adopted, A new rule, proposed by the British delegation, was taken up, and after a short dis- cussion was made an order of business for Monday: Between sunrise and sunset single ships shall keep out of the way of three or more ships of war in order, and no ships shall, under such circumstances, break the line of such squadron. At night, that is, between sun- set and sunrise, single ships should, for mutual safety, endeavor to avoid passing through a squadron, The conference then adjourned until 11 o'clock Monday moruiug. TO GUARD AGAINST COLLISIONS, In the conference Thursday after recess «nd asubstitute was finally presented to the effect that 'y vessel shall, in fog, mist, fall- ing snow, or during heavy rain storms, go at a moderate speed, having careful regard to the cumstances, A vote was taken and the substitute adopted, The amendment to article 14, proposed by Mr. Hall was adopted. It reads: “Risk of col- lision can, when time permits, be ascertained by carefully watching the compasa bearing of ah approaching vessel. If the bearing does not appreciably change such risk should be deemed to exist. SIGNALS FOR FISRING VESSELS. An Ottawa dispatch says Sir Charles Tapper hus received a telegram from Rear Admiral dir ¢ res, delegate from Great Britain of the sound signal committee of nternational maritime conference at present in session at Wash ton, asking that an officer be scut to Washington to give evidence before the committee on the sound signal require- ments of tishing vessels at se: he minister has instructed Lieut. Gordon, KR. comman«d- ing the fisheries protection service, to proceed to Washington tor the purpose, soe Milan and Natali Ex-Queon Natalie has scored another vic- tory over her ex-husband in compelling the Servian regents to enter into an agree- ment to permit her to see her son when- ever she may eboose to pay him a visit, the ouly condition of importance imposed upon her being that she shall refrain from political intrigue. This arrangement is very much as fiussia would have it a depended upon to make her intiuene ber son without her agreement, Ex-King Malan has gone back to Paris with @ muetaphorical black eye and the czar is prepar- ing to add anotl to his long list of bloodless couquests in the control of Servia when Natalie shall practically transfer the keys of Belgrade to her imperial protector. . soe Foreign Notes of Interest. The suit of Mrs. Besant. the socialist writer and agitator, against Kev, Mr. Hoskins of for libel, in stating in an election- alar that Mrs, Besunt regarded churity as a crime and unbridled sensuality as ended yesterday in a disagreement of y. The judge's charge was strongly against the plaintiff, Mr. Henry Lea of Philadelphia, has been 1 a corresponding member of the ch royal academy of science, ‘The Glasgow iron boom has collapsed, Ove r loading on the part of the bulls was the cause, ‘The emperor and empress of Germany have arrived at home. — see —___ A Long-Haul Short-Haul Decision. An important decision has been ren- dered by the Kansas railroad commission- ers in the case of alleged discrimination in freight rates brought by the city of Atchison against the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, the Missouri Pacific and the Central Branch rail- way. The wholesale merchants of Atchison represented that the rates from that city to Kansas points are excessiye and ask that the through rate from Kansas points to Chicago and eastern points be made the sum of the two locals, east and west of Atchison. The board is of the opinion that the state has no authority to lay ite hands upon any part of an inter-state rate, and that, therefore, | the only remedy would be to advance the local or the state rat ‘The board thinks that compan are not necessarily guilty of unjust discrimination in ac- cepting a less rate on through inter-state busi- ness than on local or state business. That question of unreasonable and exorbitant rates was discussed at length by the board. The board shows. for instance in the case of the central branch whici is solely a local line, that for the year ending June 30, 1889, the road lost e ‘The board is of the opinion, there- fore, that the local rates are not unreosonable or excessive, Gross earnings of the Union Pacific for Sep- tember were $3,818,524, increase over last year $206,907, net earnings $1,616,163, increase eu 000, o9——_____ Poring Over Testimony. A Chicago dispatch says there was an atmos- phere of blood stains, foot prints, window shut- ters, hair, corpuscles and other reminiscences of the famous trial in the neighborhood of Mr. W. 8. Forrest's oftice this morning; and there was perhaps more excuse for the objection with which the leading counsel for the defense met the reporter’s request for an interview than in nine cases out of ten in which Mr, Forrest has lately urged the plea in Judge McConnell’s courtroom. Bending over huge piles of testi- mony, Mr. Forrest, Judge Wing and Mr. Don- ohue were evidently devoting themselves to the task outlined by Mr. Forrest in closing remarks on Wednesday, ‘That of refuting by the notes taken at the coroner's inquest, meuts of witnesses who, testifying then, were subsequently called for the ins the press just now. Why, we haven't time to eat, let alone talk.” eee George Nicholas Seufert of Baltimore was very much in love with employed in « Broad fused b her hi WHAT NEW YORKERS ARE DOING The Great Growth of the City and Its Apathy Concerning the World’s Fair. CLUB MEN AND OTHERS ALREADY BORED ABOUT IT—THE GREAT BARYE BXHIBITION—THE BASE BALL PLAYERS’ ORGANIZATION — PLYMOUTH CHURCH AND ITs PASTOR. Correspondence of Tae Evexive Stan. Now York, Nov. 15.—-New York is not one of the “boom towns” of the wild west, but it beats them all growing, not perhaps in the rate but in the actual magnitude of increase. The an- nual real estate improvements amount to be- tween fifty and sixty million dollars,and the town is spreading out marvelously in all directions. The other day a committee of the state legisia- ture went floundering about in the mud in what is known as the annexed district—the extreme northern section of the city beyond the Harlem. I forget what their mission was, but it was something about an appropriation for local improvements; at any rate they bumped about in « suburban bog till they were amply satisfied that the locality required a a en of dirt at the state’ expense. Yet this very —— has been nated by the hig! hest officials of the New Yor! Central rail as the coming center of New York city, and for that reason as the terminal of their rond. As one of these officers ex- — it recently to me, “In twenty years 66th street will be as central as 42d street is now.” Such a prediction seems foolish only to those ‘eagle ubfamilar with New York’sgiant growtl To illustrate these tremendous strides we may look a moment at the statistics of traffic on the elevated railroads. Last year, or rather | for the fiscal year <oase this fall, the increase ha passengers over the preceding year on the Sixth Avenue railroad. alone was 8,000,000. As a newspaper mathematician has figured out, this means a daily increase of 14,000 fares in the patronage of the road. In other words the increase might be said to show—assuming that the patrons of the road used it to go in both directions daily—an increase of a city of 7,000 grown up and well persons, representing, of course, a much larger population. Or to | express it in still another way it shows that a | Sherry large town is added yearly to the upper popu- | lation of the city; oat thie is merely the de- velopment along one line out of four. THE INDIFFERENCE ABOUT THE WORLD'S FAIR. If we grasp the meaning of these figures we may perhaps comprehend New York's indiffer- ence to the world’s fair. This indifference is real and not affected and it is due to the stu- pendous growth and prosperity of the metrop- olis of Americ® under its normal conditions. When the fair idea was started it struck every- body as a happy thought and while it was a novelty it was very Popular, But as soon as the people saw that the project, if realized, meant hard work and sacrifice, their enthusi- asm quickly cooled off. The appeal to local pride never amounts to much here, for we are rather proud of not having any local pride. We claim to be too big for such a toy. Hence, the matte> stands somewhat thus: If, after thinking the matter over, the businces men of New York—the brewers, for instance. and the real estute brokers, and the railroad and hotel men—think that the fair will be a good in- | vestment and that it will come here without involving much “hustling” or other lnbor and expense, they will put the thing through. But | the spirit of martyrdom is not prevalent. ‘The | wealthy ladies will not throw their jewels into | the contribution box nor the elubs ‘melt down | their solid silver. the more fashionable element has already voted the faira bore. It will be very noisy and vulgar and driving in the park ‘will be more crowded than ever. BALL PLAYERS AND CLUR MANAGERS, The base ball magnates and brethren have been having a terrible week of it at the Fifth Avenue hotel, No one knows what thefoutcome of all the hubbub will be, but there is a general impression that the plavers have got in beyond their depth. It doesn’t follow that they won't get out onthe right side and live happy ever after, but just now they are floundering pain- fully. It is going to be very hard work to hold eighty or a hundred men together on a basis of sentiment in the face of such seductions as the league managers can offer. Moreover, the men see that the financial cream will be skimmed by half a dozen of the leaders. The coolest heads look for a smash-up of the new combina- tion, At the same time there is universal sympathy for the players, and if they are able | to manage the business end of the game as well | as “play ball” acceptably they will be greater | “giants” than ever. 1t must be admitted that | thus far their leaders have shown a shrewd and a self-control that argues well for the future. I dou't believe, however, that stock in the new clubs will be quoted above par next year nor for along time after. PLYMOUTH CHURCH is perhaps not so much talked about as in the time of Mr. Beecher, but many of its friends | feel that it is even more substantially prosper- | ous and progressive under the care of the Itey. Lyman Abbott. He has been its regular pastor for some time. but, owing to tho fact that this church long ago threw off its allegiance to the Congregational council to stand alone and in- dependent, Dr. Abbott bas never been formally installed. Lut now the church finds itself in a slightly awkward position. It is discovered that the xssistant, Rev. Howard Bliss, has not beeu installed or ordained to the ministry, aud i even this church, which is a law unto itsel!, re- | quires that formality. In order that Dr, Ab-! bott may not be ignored it 1s decided that Mr. Blies shall be ordained and both pastors in- stalled by a cquncil called by the church itself. In the makesup of this council a careful dis- crimination is observed, as it is intended only to include those ministers whose views com- mend themselves to the church. Among those included will be Dr. Patton. formerly of Wash- ington; Dr. Meredith of Brocklyn and Dr. Griffis of Boston. Dr. Storrs, Dr. Wm. M. ‘Taylor and others, who are suspocted of inclin- ing toward the dangerous extreme of Presby- terianism, will be left out, TRE BARYE EXHIBITION. The Barye exhibition was opened for the press to view its treasures this afternoon, and the reception this evening for the managers and stockholders will be a brillant occasion. The exhibition attacts widespread attention and excites the deepest interest among all who ere observant of artistic subjects. It is undoubt- edly the finest collection of the works of the Barbizon school ever brought together in this country and perhaps in the world, ‘The splens did collection of Barye's bronzes from the Cor- coran art gallery elicits much comment and is apparently rather a surprise to mauy somewhat } narrow New Yorkers, who are a little apt to think everything worth seeing isin New York. THE MUSEUMS, The trustees of the Metropolitan and Natural History museums do not show that eager en- thusiasm that was expected of them about offering these buildings for use at the possible world's fair. They are rather disposed to stand on their charter rights and decline posi- tively to yield to politicians, even for a time, the control of these unique and valuable collec- tions. The men who have devoted years to the development of these artistic ‘treasure houses are naturally careful that the results of such an expenditure of time, ene: and money should be jealously guarded. new and connie collection of birds and birds’ eggs. re- cently added to the Natural History museum, has attracted the ornithologists from far and near, and such men as Dr. Elliott Coues and others of his tastes have been investigating and comparing and | Seog holding high car- nival amung the feathery assemb! Hexrxy R. Exxiot. 2 In fact, to tell the truth, | § ness | Kasy' You cannot make good cider from rotten apples; some might contend that you cannot make good cider anyway. At any rate you cannot make cocoa from spoiled cocoa beans, and good cocoa is always good—for Breakfast, Luncheon and Dinner. The natural aroma of carefully selected cocoa beans is Blooker's just as essential to the manufacture of doch Cocoa as is the natural flower in the manufacture of the most exquisite of perfumes. Great care is taken in ci ay Bee beans so that they shall not reach Amsterdam, olland, spoiled by dampness or impregnated with the odors of other cargo. At $1 per pound Blooker’s Cocoa goes farther than any other brand. One pound makes 150 cups. Sold by leading grocers. Hi, A. Srzosox, THE WINE AND LIQUOR MERCHANT, ‘Has taken possession of his MAGNIFICENT NEW STORES AND WINE VAULTS, 1200 and 1202 Penna. ave., cor. 12th st. nw. Tam perfectly satisfied with the immanse sales made Since the inauguration of the 20 per cent removal sale, and bave made more money than I would bave done with higher prices. I shall, therefore, continue to allow the same reduction hereafter. Extiwates cheer- fully given to parties about to purchase supplies for the coming season. Orders by mail promptly at- tended to. PLEASE COMPARE MY PRICES WITH THOSE OF : i if i Gal, per Gel i t Foo "soso 459 “Lge 150 BS re 2000 «180 iss) ize 200 160 lv ou 100 80 400 330 500 400, 1000-00 1200 60 1500 1040 CAN WINES. 100 30 dozen... - 400 320 Genuine North Caroiiua Seuppor =~” BORE, . 15000 (130 (A deli Sweet Catawba (dnest quality)... _ 90 80 Malaga, 150 1320 AND CoRDIALS, S00 400 Guo $89 Buerry. Good. Bol 2 Sherr3—Good—Table-- 300 320 Sherty—Dud Gurdon, 600 $00 Sherry—Amontillado, 720 «G00 Genuine Buy Kum, oi 409 $20 Genuine Bay Rum. very 500 400 Fy itu, o1d B00 $00 600 480 Bou 280 503 ¥00 Go 489 a 600 $80 Old Rye Malt Gi 400 320 Old Tom Gin, 600 = $80 Scotch Whisk soo $80 : 750 © «600 c ye iB ways rautwein. sa ALSO THE FOLLOWING MESIiC WHISKIES. Trimble Pure ye, jouticello Pure ‘Kiye. tae aap Perfection Pure 1 : 7 Haunseville Pure 103 ‘ Bottles, very low. Old Kentuc Gomuec Braud In Demijohna ac Brandy: ip or & one. tara ‘bu { Bottles, very low. Coguac, Sclguette...... Per Doz. Per Dom Bitters—Wild Cherry—Harterv.. 812.00 $0 00 Vermouth. : 20 % 00 ¥00 Bottle, 40 320 ei vei FeszsazsTo is RHEIN WEINES—du bottles only), Laubenbein Sacees See2s8 Sse H. A. SELIGSON, ‘THE WINE AND LIQUOR MERCHANT, 1200 and 1202 Penna. ave. n.w. R. J. HORNER & CO, 61, 63 AND 65 WEST 23D STREET, NEW YORK. LARGEST EXHIBIT OF ARTISTIC FURNITURE IN AMERICA. TEN SHOW ROOMS FILLED WITH THE LATEST PRODUCTIONS OF THE FURNITURE AND UP- HOLSTERY ART FROM THE RECOGNIZED MANUFACTURING CENTERS OF THE WOKLD. NOVFLTIES OF LONDON PRODUCTION. NOVELTIES OF PARIS PRODUCTION. NOVELTIES OF VIENNA PRODUCTION, ‘Our Own Imporirt on. NOVELTIES OF AMERICAN PRODUCTION, Including Those of Our Own Manufacture. Visitors to New York are cordially invited to call and examine our stuck aud prices. The central loca- tion of our establishment (adjoining Eden Musee) ‘makes it easy of access from all parts of the city. eeld-Stam,wssus Mc Mess ELIXIR OF OPIUM Isapreparstion of the drug by which its injurion effects are removed, while the valuable medicinal properties are retained. It possesses all the sedative, anodyne and antispasmodic powers of Opium, but pro- @uves no sickness of the stomach, no vomiting, Bo costiveness, no headache, In acute nervous disorders it is an invaluable remedy, and is by the best physicians. = FERRETT, Agent, myte 372 Pearl et., New York. EPPS's COCOA knowledge of the natural laws fowen eprerattope td ‘aud nutrition, end yong a ‘breakfast with « ssl Savers beverage which may many Leavy doctors’ bills. it ‘the Glows use of such Grincies of let’ that s coment LUTZ & BRO, 497 Penn. ave., edjoining National Hotel, ‘Horee Blankets and Lap Robes at low prices, plz Pa ee eee a Sees isto: LADIES’ GOODS. Mac T. B. Hassox, 1320 F STREET. WINTER OPENING or IMPORTED HATS AND BONNETS, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AND 21. During her recent trip to F: Mme, HARRISON sccured the CHUICEST NOVELTTES 1 MILLINERY from the leading bouses in oo aud Fert apa Arranged to receive ail the NE FASHIONS by first steamer after they are out, No curds ot DONE aT CCORDEON SKIRTS AND CAT Eetablinlicnes web Ball office Standard 8.4. 0 BW. (Masonic Temgie), Washington, D.C. Vj ME. BRADLEY, Mo _ FORMERLY OF DAN ors pists escuiad chante es Washington ladies tor liberal patronage and solicits # continuance, Perfect Bt. Moderate TCstoe. nd-i2t HABITS, 1880-90, RECKPLION GOWNS AFIEK THE LATEST MODE... 5 =, n) 1-2w* 1496 Q st dow, F 91 Cais wopigie dor iim er, Opposite Boston Mouse daas usa Habits anu Evening Dresses, Street Costumes 88.up. Perfect nt oc 26-00 Lia RUSE's INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, IN CHARGE ‘of the Sisters of Charity, G st Oth und 21st resminaking, Millapery and Freach Gockine. Freak Home-made Cakes always ou hand. ool ate SERMAN FAVORS, JAP SCROLLS, PAKASOLS, Gn um Toye, New Scrap Lictures, Payor Doli ities, Gold Paint Metallics, ‘Materials for iti Paper Flowers, Gold, Silver and Colored Paper, rus, &." J. JAY GOULD, 422 Uth ot © LACES DONE UP IN ie wall wt the only extab- VALMONI"S, 713 11th specialty. Prices rea ee Sau” SEALSKIN GARMENTS DYED AND ALTERED iuito Newest Styies, New Seal Garment made to order by the MINSES CUNNINGHAM, Practical Pur- Pets, 1510 Sth st.uw.. between Nand. sev-Gm SRONIS | FRONTS {1 FRONTS IIT Just the thing for Summer. Always in order by plain combing, LE. M. 9" PRANDI. arrie0's) i Las WISHING FIN Pirst-class F b Liehed piace mm the city, ecuw. Fine Lace Curtat 3 = Fine French Hair Goods, J MEDCH DYEING SCOURING AND DRY cI NG ESLABLIBHMENT, 1205 New ¥ Fisst-claes Ladier aud tion. AND CAKO! Sid Maimou Ariewe, Paris ADIOS, HSCHER'S DIG CLEANING Es rai Lidl BDL AND DYE WORKS, HOU Get. ow. Ladies’ and G kinds closuedand Dts’ Garme: Dycu without being ripped. mite OF ali Ladies’ Evening Dresses 2 apecity. ‘larty-lve years’ experience, Prices ca delivered aia Abi Sock eaGuN is Slabs UP ox RurED, dyed 8 Food Viack. 4. FISCHER, ela YUU G st, FAMILY SUPPLIKS. oe = = = = Hovsrxzerens, REMEMBER THAT THE OLD AND RELIABLE FM T. H. WALKER & CO, ‘Will sell all Groceries at greatly reduced priees for the next ten days: Kew York Burbank Potatocs st 5c. per bushel. e Bais oclt- Ita" Give Use Wal aud convince yourselves that weare welling Groceries cheaper lai any other house in the Poute avention aud prowpt delivery to ail parts olaty, Satislaction guarantecd. Kespecttully, EK & OO. 80 ha ae. T, H WALK! _n15-6t 946, 948 and I Have Jesr Ovexen. AT 922 LOUISIANA AVE. NW. An Entire New Stock of Groceries, which we DeUILK at the Lowent Fuseiuie Pyoss for cas, Just received two car loads of Choice Burbank toes, Which we witi aeil for Goc. per busbel We alsy wina lo cals special attention to ourJeve and Moctis Cuttce, roasted anity Voiong, bugil stewktast and powder Leas at Reduced Prices. AUweee SOU Five Creaiuery sitter 4 Spectuty. dinve siso Just received scar jond of F.M. Wi Superlative Fiour, Which wesumrautes to be the tu the city. Ju couuoction with the above we handle Fresh Meats aud Vexotables ot all Kinda, Special care K1Veu to tue Hlling of orders received by tual or telephone, Prompt deuvery FP. M. WALKER. n0-Im Uez La. ave mw, AG ROSE FOTAT ES, BUSLEL. Fall Creain cheese, Loc ib. Sew Pruncs. Se. th, Full ime Forew ‘Dowestic Dried Fruit, also ® full dive of Grvc eryiow. A. & POULE, O68 su we ve. HOUSEFURNISHINGS, _ Comm Br Gan A full line se GAs COOKING STOVES (1 Laud and for sale WASHINGTON GASLIGHT COMPAS, FINANCIAL. — = —— ACOMA, WASHINGTON TEKKITOR) aincurts can be Placed bere 80 as to yield G2 trow 25 Lo OU percout imaide of ure bu Surer uF salor uvestments, BETHELL, McMANUS & GILLESPIE, mh31 —25-3m_Ubien_Methet Block, Tecoma, W.E.__ J% ¥ conson. JNO. W MACARTNER, CORSON & MACARTNEY, GLOVER BUILDING, 1419 F ST. x. w, Bankers and Dealers in Goverument Bonds, Deposits. Exchange. Loans. Collections, Railrond Stocks aud Bends, and all securities Listed Gh the Exchanges of New York, Phisuelpuis, Bustom and balumore ‘Aepectally toete ot investuent epcurition District preriny Bonde sud el Lacal ‘Ges, Lunuranee aud lel e ck Gealt in. “Kuverscau bell Telepbone Stock bought and sold Jy 8 PRINTERS. eee OOK AND SO 12007110 h ot n, wetoate he, COMMERCIAL, LEGAL AND PROFESSION, PaiNTING OF ALL KINDS aad buvi oon _dl-7m ___ 1380 Pennsylvania avenue. PROFESSIONAL = ‘of