New-York tribune., 1874-07-18
WASHINGTON.
THE SPINNER -BRIsTOw DISAGREEMENT

THE SPINNER -BRISTOW DlSAGREEMENI'
THE TROUBLE IN REGARD TO THE APPOINTMENT of
c1rRKs-TREAsURER SPINNER URGES THAT THE
CIVIL SERVICE RULES DO NOT APPLY TO HIS
oFFICE-THE PRESIDENT CALLED UPON TO DE-
eide nIE QUESTION.
WASHINGTON, July IA good deal has been said
with reference to dsagreements of a serious charac-
fer between the United States Treasurer, Gen. Spin
pcr and Mr. Bristow of the Treasury, and it is a
subiect which forms the basis of the current gossip
in the Department. The case, though by no means
important is about as follows: Gen. Spinners force
of female clerks or counters" was somewhat aug
mentcd by the acts of the last session of Congress
He sent nominations as has been his custom to the
Secretary's Office to be confirmed and the ladies ap-
poiuted The nominations were stopped under the
fourth rule of the regulations governing the ClNi
Service To this Gen. Spinner objected, saying IL
had been his custom to select his own employees, as
he was responsible for the money, &c, ana had
given bonds. He also produced an order from the
President of April 1873 directing the appointment OF
a lady. and stating that the Civil Service rules
should not apply III in which the salary was
less than 81 900 year. The Treasurer then had his
attention called to the fact that the last regulations
of the Civil Service required that counters should
be subjected to an examination in arithmetic. etc.
and that they were clearly embraced within the
meaning and were of the character of other en-
plovfS His attention also directed To the TACT
that the rules were dated in August, 1873 or four
months after the Presidents order to Gen. Spinner
and further, that the President having approved
the rules they superseded his previous order;
whereupOn the Treasurer has appealed to the Presi
dent in a very feeling letter. He shows that he is
responsible for the conduct of his subordlnates, ana
he cannot trust everybody with the handling OF
money. He cites the provisions of the law under
hold t1 lp
sor the honesty of his employees. He urges that
skilled clerks and counters required, and makes
cenera al appeal to the President to sustain him in
his position for the good of the service and the
safety of the funds.
The President has il within his discretion to
suspend the operations of the rules whenever he
deems II necessary or eXpedient As for the Secre-
tary of the Treasury he can only carry ont the rules
prescribed. He has no right TO appoint clerks,
except under the regulations of the Civil Service
system. Tue SecretaryS Office, however, holds that
the appointing power should rest with the Secretary,
and that all Bureau officers should he subordinate.
1t is also held that there ust as good, honest
eapabe and efficient clerks of both sexes outside Of
Gen. Spinncrs Office as inside, and that the other
business of the Government is quite as important
and responsible as his and that. finally
if Civil Service is advantageous in the Con-
troller's and Auditors Office, it is equally
so in the Treasurers. The threatening that Gen.
Spinner will resign il he is not given free lance Is
entitled 10 10 considerations and should cause no
sensational anxiety. There was nothing in his let
Ter 10 the President even suggesting such result
What he has threatened outside is no more than he
las threatened at every slight cross for years, and
there l. no reason to suppose that he intends
10 carry ont his vows now than formerly. he
awaits with some impatience the decision of the
President In the mean time the most cordial rela
tions prevail between the Secretary and the Treas
urer and 1t j., not denied that either has the right TO
resign il lac sees proper