  The Civil Service Reform League—and every reform is dependent upon an organization—has addressed a letter to President-elect Cleveland, asking him what he proposes to do about removals from office. Mr. Cleveland answers, with full information, that he believes in the doctrine of civil service reform. We think that the practical application of the letter to the civil service will make a real and safe basis for judgment. Till we see this, we deem it wise not to express an opinion. The old “Liberty bell,” which was on exhibition during the Centennial at Philadelphia, has been taken to the New Orleans Exposition in charge of a committee. The council of Philadelphia passed a resolution authorizing its removal from Independence Hall for that purpose. Our national Congress is the subject of a shameful scandal, and the worst feature of it is, our Senators and Representatives know it, but fail to correct it themselves. It is this: By figures prepared by the Public Printer, it appears that during the last four congresses nearly six hundred speeches have been published in the “Congressional Record” as a part of the debates and proceedings of Congress, but not one of them was ever delivered in the House of Representatives. Here is a number of printed but undelivered speeches of Senators. This is an unnecessary expense entailed on the government. It is a falsehood and makes the “Record” a lie, for you can not tell by reading it what has been said or done in Congress. Senator Vest has introduced a resolution into the Senate to abolish the practice, but it is still an open question whether a body of men who do such things will have the moral courage to vote their undelivered speeches out of the “Record.” Our readers will find the article by General John A. Logan, elsewhere in this impression, full of interesting and very remarkable statements concerning rudimentary education in the different states. We think his points concerning the common schools in the Southern states will be a surprise to many people. Another article on the subject from the General’s pen will appear in The Chautauquan for March. A number of Bradstreet’s, issued in the latter part of December, shows that at that time the whole number of men out of employment in the United States, because the establishments had shut down, and by reason of strikes, etc., was 316,000, or thirteen per cent. of the whole number employed in 1880, which was 2,452,749. Concerning General B. F. Butler, it is announced that he has signed an agreement with a publishing house to write his political reminiscences, in two volumes, for which he is to receive $50,000 in cash and a royalty beside. The advent of Messrs. Blaine and Butler into the literary world is suggestive. It is altogether probable that both of these men regard literary fame, when compared to political favor, as a more substantial and enduring quantity, and believe that their names will live longer in literature than in politics. Of course, there may be other motives prompting them, but to some men fame hath its peculiar charms. It was a surprise and sorrow to Christian people to learn that the management at New Orleans had decided to keep the Exposition open on the Sabbath. The very liberal—perhaps we ought to say lax—ideas about the observance of the Sabbath which prevail throughout the country deserve serious thought. Certainly to extend opportunities for making sight seeing and pleasure seeking part of the day’s work should be emphatically discouraged. One of Chautauqua’s staunchest friends and most devoted workers, the Rev. S. McGerald, has entered a new field of work. In a recent issue of the Buffalo Christian Advocate we find his name announced as the future editor of that paper. Mr. McGerald’s new and important position is sure to be well filled. He has the hearty good wishes of all Chautauquans in his new enterprise. The Indians of Arizona made an exhibit at the recent fair of that territory, which ought to open the public mind to the degree of civilization which some Indians have attained, and suggest, as well, the possibility of such civilization for all Indians. The first premium for the best modern plow displayed was awarded them, and to show their taste for the antique as well as the modern, it may be mentioned that a wooden plow was displayed which was an exact counterpart of those used 2,000 years ago in the valley of the Nile. There is no doubt of it—the cause of much human failure and misery is insomnia. Mr. Gladstone has found the only panacea in Christendom which prevents and cures this dread disease, and he gave the secret to the world recently, when he said: “I never allow business of any kind to enter my chamber door. In all my political life I have never been kept awake five minutes by any debate in Parliament.” Now that Mark Twain is attempting to become his own publisher, it may be of interest to read the record of his occupations. He has been in turn, practical printer, steamboat pilot, private secretary, miner, reporter, lecturer and book-maker. Should he succeed in his publishing scheme, he may start a fashion among successful writers which will be hard on publishing houses. A winter resort where the thermometer falls frequently to 40° below zero, is fully launched at Saranac Lake, in the Adirondacks. The hotels are reported full, and prices of lots have gone up with the usual nimbleness which characterizes embryo resorts. If peculiar, this new fashion may serve as a blessing to the idle and half sick people who are apt to patronize fashionable resorts by bringing into use many vigorous and healthful winter sports. The wonderful Fish River caves, discovered last year in New South Wales, have been given a new name by the government of that country, and will henceforth be known as the Jenolan caves. Astonishing discoveries are reported to have been made there recently. Our own Kentucky wonder begins to dwindle before the reports of these new subterranean palaces and gardens. A reading people we know ourselves to be, but it is rather astonishing to discover that we publish twelve times as many daily papers as the United Kingdom. The AthenÆum calls attention to the fact that while the United States has one daily paper to every 10,000 inhabitants, the English have one to every 120,000. It would be gratifying if we could feel sure that the quality stood in the same ratio. The work of the Chautauqua University is attracting attention far and wide. In a recent issue of the Irish Christian Advocate, published in Belfast, we notice in answer to a correspondent’s query, as to “What is the Chautauqua University?” a long and enthusiastic article upon the plan. The adaptation of the “Chautauqua Idea” to all people and all countries is very wonderful. A lady is said to have recently offered $50,000 to the Boston school authorities, to be devoted to the filling of the teeth of children whose parents were too poor to employ dentists. Should she devote her money to the purchase of tooth brushes and toothpicks, and employ a police of teeth, who would compel their daily use by children from babyhood up, she would confer an inestimable benefit upon future generations. Frances Power Cobbe, well known to the readers of The Chautauquan, concludes her powerful article on “A Faithless World,” in the December issue of The Contemporary Review, with these strong words: “We have been told that in the event of the fall of religion, ‘life would remain in most particulars and to most people much what it is at present;’ it appears to me, on the contrary, that there is actually nothing in life which would be left unchanged after such a catastrophe.” A wise thing is being done in London. A series of popular lectures upon the subject of precautions—national, local and We are happy to extend congratulations to a well known contributor to The Chautauquan, Mr. C. E. Bishop. Mr. Bishop was married in Buffalo, December 31st, to Miss Emma Mulkins, of that city. As the former editor of the Jamestown (N. Y.) Journal, of the Buffalo Express, and at present of The Countryside, of New York, as an editorial writer on The Assembly Herald, as the author of “Pictures in English History,” and of frequent entertaining articles in our columns, Mr. Bishop is widely and favorably known. The assignee’s sale of the stock of imported books and fine art publications of Mr. J. W. Bouton, of New York, is now advertised. It is a real shock to know that this rare collection must be sacrificed. For years his rooms have been a resort for book lovers, and a liberal education to the loiterers about his counters. Perhaps there is no collection in America, outside of the libraries, the sale of which would cause such general regret. |
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