New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-16
THE DISCHARGE OF CLERKS.
REDUCTIONS Bogus IL rHE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
COMPLAINTS As TO THE METHODS OF DIS
InY rrLFcRApn TO TIE rRpUNE.l

COMPLAINTS As TO THE METHODS OF DIS
MIssAL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, April 1J.-The necessary reduction
of the clerical force # the Interior Department has
already begun. Twenty employees of the Pension
Bureau were discharged yesterday. few other
clerks had previously been dismissed in other bu-
reaus of the department. Further reductions VIII
probably be made during the present week, and they
will continue until the force is brought down TO such
standard as to make the expenses of the department
come within the appropriations.
good deal of excitement has been caused, not
only among the clerks who have been discharged,
hut among those who remain over, by the methods
by which the dism;s,als have been made. It was
generally understood that the principles of civil ser
wee reform would b. applied in all cases where
clerks were discharged, well as in making
appointments and promotions, and II was supposed
that those least competent would be first selected III
reducing the clerical force 1t is now reported by
the friends Of some OF these wlO were Informed
Yesterday that their services would hereafter be
dispensed with, and of those previously discharged
or suspended that the efficiency Of the clerks has
apparently been taken very little into the account.
In making the selections for dismissal it is said that
persons who have strong political backing, or who
have influential friends in the bureau which has
tanned; and il is asserted by those interested, that
the selections have been made with very little refer
ence to the efficiency either of those re-
tanned or of those discharged On some former
occasions when reductions of force were
necessary in other departments, the record of each
clerk in each division was made ont, and the as
missals took place solely among those who stood
last on the list Ii is asserted by some of the clerks
recently discharged in the Interior Department that
no such comparative record has been made out
there and that il is susceptible of proof that many
of the clerks retained far less efficient than some
OF those discharged.
II anything Of this kind has occurred, ii has been
wholly without the knowledge of Secretary Schurz,
it has been necessary for him TO ntrust the duty
of reducing the force wholly to the officers of the
several bureaus Secretary Schurz will find it very
difficult to put his theories of civil service reform
fully into practice if the matter is left entirely TO
bureau officers While no political influence may
be used with him. and while he may desire to try
all clerks impartiay, and to retain those who are
most efficient it is impossible that the politicians
shall not make their influence felt with subordinate
officials i'll the several bureaus and Ill many cases
save their particular friends from dismissal.
The two permanent members of the Board of
Appeals-Messrs. Warren and Bartlett-which the
Secretary has appointed are men who are honestly
and earnestly in favor of thorough reform i'll the
civil service, and will doubt act with strict i'm
partaty in all referred to them. In order TO
insure the success of the new ideas governing the
civil service in the department, and to silence all
just criticism on the acts of any of its officials in
connection with She reduction of the force, it has
been suggested that all clerks who are discharged
shall have the privilege of going before this Board
Of Appeals and submitting their cases 20 it for final
adjudication.
II is possible Nat the Secretary already contem-
plates allowing such an appeal but the clerks who
have already been dismissed have thus far received
notice that such privilege Will be accorded to
them.