PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S SWEEPING ORDER

Grover Cleveland.

Walter Wellman, journalist and explorer.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, May 11, 1896.

HIS SWEEPING ORDER.

President Cleveland and the Civil Service.

FEW REWARDS FOR THE WORKERS.

But the Leaders Can Still Pluck Political Plums—The Next Step of the Reformers—Creation of a Civil Pension List Age in the Departments.

   WASHINGTON, May 11.—(Special.)—President Cleveland's recent sweeping civil service order, predicted in these dispatches, has left very little for the Republicans to take possession of in case they win the presidency this year. There is substantially nothing left for the rank and file of the party. The same number of places is open for the leaders, for the men who are influential enough to get foreign ambassadorships, ministers' posts and consulships, collectorships of customs and internal revenue, United States marshalships and district attorneyships, but the  small fry have been practically frozen out.

   The gaugerships, inspectorships, clerkships and all that grade of employment, whether in Washington or out through the country, which in times past the great army of political workers have depended upon for their reward, have been swept out of reach. The extent to which the president's sweeping order has removed politics from the civil service of the United States may be judged by the fact that the only government employments now outside the civil service classification are those places for which nominations must be sent by the president to the senate, the fourth class postmasterships and a few laborers and messengers. In other words, only the highest and the lowest remain subject to the will of the president and his followers.

   It is estimated that the employees of the government now number 160,000 persons. Of these 85,000 are under the civil service. Of the 75,000 places left outside the civil service more than 60,000 are fourth class postmasters, mere local appointments, and the present incumbents, according to tradition, are not to be disturbed till their four years' terms have expired.

The Political Horde.

   If the Republicans obtain possession of the government at the November elections, the probabilities are that there will be a great pressure upon the new president immediately after his inauguration to revoke some of the orders of his predecessors and throw down the bars for the horde of politicians who will be seeking government employment. It is not believed, however, that any man who is likely to become president of the United States will be willing to revoke a civil service order. There is a feeling that the sentiment of the country upholds the divorcement of the civil service from politics and that the people would condemn any president who took a backward step in this reform so long agitated by many of the best men in the country.

   Contrary to the general impression, a great many public men, such as senators and representatives, are heartily glad of the change that has been wrought by these orders placing so many civil employees under the protection of the law. Under the old system half the time of public men has been spent in the effort to secure places for their henchmen. Often the task is a hopeless one, and the senator or member knows he will have his labor for his pains. But good faith with his constituent requires him to make the effort.

The Exempt Class.

   It is a mistake to assume that the reformation of the civil service by these executive orders is going to make any easier the life of a president of the United States. The places which are placed under the aegis of the civil service do not belong to the president's domain in practice. Nominally he has the right to fill them, but he never bothers his head about them. They are left wholly to his subordinates. The president to be inaugurated next March will have just the same trouble with the office seekers as his predecessors have had. The men who want foreign posts, collectorships, marshalships and such offices of the higher class are the ones who bring the pressure upon the White House. These are the men who camp in the hotels of this city every four years and lay siege to the master of the White House. They will be at it next spring, as heretofore, and no civil service order yet issued will keep them away.

   Some day, it is believed, all the postoffices in the country, excepting those in the larger cities, will be taken out of the hands of the politicians and put under civil service rules. At the present time no good way of doing this has been discovered, but it is predicted by the civil service reformers that that is the next stop. They may be depended upon to cultivate public sentiment to this end. They contend that the smaller postoffices are exceedingly important to the people and their good and skillful management a matter in which not only the people but the government are vitally interested. Why, then, they ask, should these offices be given out as political prizes without regard to the experience or fitness of the appointees? Perhaps the day will soon come when even the village postoffice, which Petroleum V. Nasby celebrated and Senator Hawley recently idealized in a senate speech, will pass eternally out of the realm of the politician.

The Next Step.

   One offset of the permanent establishment of civil service reform in Washington will be the creation of a civil pension list. That is regarded as inevitable. Already bills have been introduced in congress to this end, and one of them has received a great deal of consideration, though it is hardly likely to pass this congress. It provides that a certain share of the salaries of clerks shall be withhold every month and go into a fund, out of which pensions shall be paid when clerks retire for age. As employment in the government departments is now permanent during good behavior, thousands of men and women will grow old in it, and a civil pension is an absolute necessity to provide for their necessities in the evening of life. The large number of old men and women now employed in the departments is rather noticeable.

   Figures compiled as to the treasury department show that there are employed in that great building no fewer than 264 men and women who have passed their sixty-fifth year. In most of the departments the men and women well along in years predominate, in striking contrast to the rule a decade or two ago, when nearly all the clerks were young men and women appointed through political preference.

   The changes that have been wrought in our civil service since the first step was taken 13 years ago, amounts to revolution, and our government is now practically on the English basis in this respect.

   WALTER WELLMAN.

Greater New York Signed.

   ALBANY, May 11.—The governor has signed the greater New York bill.

LOOKS LIKE FOUL PLAY.

Young Man's Peculiar Death in Cayuga Lake.

HIS TWO COMPANIONS FLED.

All Had Been Boating and Capsized. Upon Recovering the Body, No Water Was Found in the Lungs,

 While His Face Was Badly Bruised.

   WATKINS, N. Y., May 11.—At 5:30 Sunday morning men fishing in Cayuga lake, near Odessa, noticed a boat upset and at once went to the rescue of the three men.

   One of them did not succeed in making his way, but the other two at once swam to the shore and hurried away.

   About 9 o'clock the body was recovered and it was found to be Robert Charles Estbrook, 20 years old, who resided near Odessa. Efforts to revive him developed the fact that there was no water on his stomach or lungs.There were bad bruises over his left eye and nose and he was bleeding from the ears.

   Inquiry developed the fact that the two men with him were Harry Bowers and Carl Miller. The two men have been subpoenaed for the coroner's inquest and asked to explain the matter.

   The affair has caused great excitement here and suggestions of foul play are made.

   The general opinion is, however, that the men, while out boating, quarreled. It is thought that blows were struck and, in the fight which followed, the boat was capsized. This, however, would hardly account for the man's death, as he evidently did not drown.

   It remains for the coroner's physician to discover whether the blows on the head and face would be sufficient to cause death. In the meantime the dead man's companions have been locked up to await the result of the autopsy.

Negro Murderer Hanged.

   BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 11.—Mike McCrea, a negro, was hanged at Ozark for the murder of Angus McSwean and wife, four miles south of Newton, Ala., in September, 1893. On the scaffold he spoke for an hour, saying that Mitchel Woolen, who was hanged a year ago, was innocent. He confessed to the crime. Five thousand people were in town to witness the hanging.

Baron De Hirsch Memorial Exercises.

   NEW YORK, May 11.—Hebrews of all shades of belief and a goodly sprinkling of Christians, filled Tempel Emanu-El at the special services for the late Baron Maurice De Hirsch. The services were opened by the singing of the anthem "Cast Thy Burdon Upon the Lord," by the choir. Rev. Stephen S. Wise, rabbi of Bnai Jeshurun, delivered the opening prayer and was followed by Colonel John B. Weber, late commissioner of immigration, who knew the baron intimately, and who delivered an address. Hon. Oscar S. Straus and Hon. Simon W. Rosendale also paid glowing tributes to the memory of the deceased. Rev. Dr. Kauffman Kohler of Temple Beth-El pronounced the benediction and the services were closed.

Sunday Baseball.

   The games of the Eastern and National League clubs yesterday resulted as follows:

   At Buffalo—Buffalo, 18; Syracuse, 4.

   At Rochester—Rochester, 18; Springfield, 8.

   NATIONAL LEAGUE.

   At Louisville—Louisville, 1; Brooklyn, 3.

   At Cincinnati—Cincinnati, 18; Washington, 11.

   At St. Louis—St. Louis, 6; Baltimore, 9.

A DASTARDLY OUTRAGE.

One Jersey Yearling Slaughtered in the Pasture, Another One Stolen.

   Mr. B. H. Wheeler of 8 Wheeler-ave. about two weeks ago turned into his pasture lot upon what is known as the Blair farm, located one mile west of Cortland, two thoroughbred Jersey yearling heifers. Upon going to the lot last Thursday he found one of them dead, her throat having been cut. The other one was missing and has not yet been found.

   Near by was discovered a holdback strap that had been taken from a harness, a whetstone was also found that doubtless had been used to sharpen the knife with which the cowardly deed had been committed. The heifers were both very valuable. The registration papers for one of them had just been made out and were ready to mail.

   Mr. Wheeler lost a calf under similar circumstances last spring. It was found upon the same island on the Tioughnioga river where also was discovered the carcass of a calf belonging to Mr. S. P. Cleary. It is thought by some that the same miscreant committed all these acts of theft and cruelty as the manner of doing the work seems to be similar. It also seems quite probable the same party last year slashed and maimed a cow belonging to Mr. David Benham and also poisoned Mr. W. B. Knapp's cow.

   An investigation should be made and if the guilty party can be found he should be severely dealt with.

NORMALS WIN AT ITHACA.

Defeat the High School Team by the Score of 12 to 3.

   Last Saturday a special car carried the Normal baseball team, and about fifty of their loyal supporters to Ithaca when the Normals crossed bats with the high school team.

   The game was called at 2:30 P. M. with the Normals first at the bat. The first three men at the bat were put out by well fielded infield hits, In the second half, the Normals repeated the dose. In the second inning the Normals were again relieved without a score, while in their half the high schools scored one run. The third innings, both teams scored. Score 2 and 1 in favor of Ithaca.

   The Normals batted hard and sure in the fourth inning and were not retired until five men were sent across the home plate and in turn sent the Ithaca boys out without a score.

   In the fifth inning both teams were retired without a score. The Normals made two runs in the first half of the sixth, and in the second half the first three men the high school sent to the bat were put out. In the seventh the Normals again sent two men across the plate and again retired the high school boys without a score. The Normals obtained two more runs in the eighth and the home team in this inning obtained their third and last run. In the ninth inning neither team scored.

   Both teams played good ball, five errors being credited to the Normals and nine to the Ithacas. Van Pelt for the high school pitched a good game and struck out five men but was not well supported at critical times. E. House for the Normals pitched an excellent game, struck out nine men and settled down to business at critical times. Buckley played a perfect game behind the bat, accepting every thing and anything that came his way. He made two hard runs and gathered in two foul flies that seemed almost impossible to be caught. The out fielders, Givens, Boyd and Phillips played an excellent game. Ketchum's playing was good and his batting was sure at critical times. F. House at first, Van Tuyl at third, and Meade at second played good ball and together with Ketchum seemed to enclose the field like an impenetrable wall.

   The Normals have fully demonstrated that they can play ball and with the team as it now is will surely play scientific if not winning ball.

   The boys are very enthusiastic in their praise of the treatment accorded them at Ithaca. An attempt is being made to arrange a return game here next Saturday and if so a first class game may be expected. The Normals play the Homer team at Homer Wednesday afternoon.

Obituary.

(From the Lisle Gleaner.)

   On Thursday evening, April 30, at 11 o'clock, Lucy, wife of Dr. James Allen of Richford, entered into her rest. For some months past she has been in poor health, but it was not thought serious until about four weeks ago when a heart trouble and other complications arose. Her son, Rev. M. J. Allen and wife were sent for, but on their arrival she had improved somewhat and for three weeks much hope was entertained. On Tuesday of this week Rev. and Mrs. Allen returned to their home which they had hardly reached when the messenger came and she went to join her son Frank who had gone on before about fifteen years ago.

   Sixty-eight years ago Lucy E. Hammond was born in Freetown, Cortland Co., N. Y., where in 1850 she was married to Dr. James Allen with whom she lived forty-six years, and one day. For thirty years they have lived in the place and during that time she has endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a woman of rare intelligence, an active worker in church and society and the place now left vacant will be hard to fill. Too much cannot be said in praise of this woman who was everybody's friend and the whole community voice the sentiment of the one who said "She was my ideal of a woman."

   She leaves a sorrowing husband and two children, Rev. M. J. Allen of York, Me., and Miss Mary of this village, besides a brother, a sister, and friends who mourn her loss but rejoice in her gain. Her funeral was held at the church on Monday, Rev. J. S. Mitchell officiating. The Sunday-school class of which she was the teacher, and the W. R. C. and L. A. S., of which organizations she was a member, sat in a body, as did the G. A. R. The floral decorations were beautiful and she was laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery.

Norris G. Woodward.

   Mr. Norris G. Woodward died at his home near East River, in the town of

Homer, Saturday evening after an illness of some months from Bright's disease. His age was 53 years and 5 months. His death removes another one of the veterans of the late war. He enlisted with the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh regiment and served three years. At Gettysburg he was captured and taken to Belle Isle where for three months he was nearly starved to death. When exchanged his weight was only about sixty pounds.

   It is believed that it was during his imprisonment that the seeds were some of the disease which has now caused his decease. He has never been the [same] rugged well man since the war that he was before. The same thing can be said of thousands of the old soldiers who escaped death and wounds in battle. There is scarcely one of them who endured the hardships of the field, but that as he grows older feels the effects of the exposure in one form or another, and in nearly every case death is directly caused by or is at least hastened by some result proceeding from that army experience.

   Mr. Woodward was the oldest of a family of eleven sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus Woodward of Cortland. His father and two sisters have died, the others being still alive. He is also survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. Mr. Woodward was held in highest esteem by all who knew him. He was a prominent member of the grange.

   The funeral will be held from his late home at 1 o'clock Tuesday and the burial will be in Cortland Rural cemetery.

About a Cortland Man.

   The cycling papers of last week confirmed the following from Louisville, Ky., which is of interest to Cortland people:

   Eddie Bald, the "Barnes White Flyer," and Arthur Gardner of Chicago are the stars here just now and both are doing conscientious work. Bald failed to secure his old trainer of the past three years, Asa Windle, and in his stead has employed S. H. Strowbridge of Cortland, N. Y., a man new to the national circuit, but well known as a rider and trainer on the New York state circuit. Mr. Strowbridge bears a marked resemblance to Tom Eck in face and build.

Fitz-ave School.

   The following was the program of Arbor day exercises at the Fitz-ave. school last Friday.

   Salute to the Flag.

   Song—America, School.

   Scripture Selections, School.

   Recitation—Arbor Day Greeting, Kittie Loope.

   Recitation—Nothing New, Tommy Murray.

   Recitation—The Violet, Jennie Medes.

   Song—Where the Flowerets Live, School.

   Recitation—The Last Feather, Glenn Wadsworth.

   Recitation—The Pansy, Nellie Grant.

   Recitation—How to Make a Whistle, Frank Sullivan.

   Recitation—The Secret, Charlie Dailey.

   Recitation—The Acorn, Lena Gilbert.

   Song—The Dandelions, School.

   Recitation—Arbor Day, Kate Murray.

   Recitation—The Crow, Isaac Miller.

   Recitation—The Buttercup, Henry Higgins.

   Recitation—The Lost Bird, Dannie Murray.

   Recitation—April Days, Lena Beers.

   Recitation—The Red Clover, Abbie Littleton.

   Recitation—The Oak Tree, Harry Missilier.

   Recitation—The Cousins, Nellie Grant.

   Song—Spring is Calling, Awake, School.

BREVITIES.

   —New advertisements today are—F. Daehler, a summer suit, page 6.

   —The office of Nelson & Call was to-day connected with the telephone exchange.

   —Mr. C. F. Blackman, undertaker, has to-day taken possession of his new location with Robert Otto on Port Watson-st.

   —The Chautauqua circle will meet with Mrs. F. J. Doubleday, 44 Port Watson-st., this evening. Roll call, "Michael Angelo."

   —The "Pirates of Penzance" was given at Geneva Friday and Saturday evenings by home talent under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Dixie. Mrs. G. W. Ostrander of Binghamton, who took the part of Mabel in Cortland when the opera was presented here, assumed that role at Geneva. The presentation is well spoken of by the papers.

   —Mr. W. F. Clark received a telegram this morning announcing the death of his sister, Mrs. Sarah Miller at the Binghamton state hospital. Undertaker Elmer Bangs went to Binghamton at 10 o'clock for the remains. The funeral will be held Wednesday from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Livingston on East-ave.