The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1882-03-18
COL. WEBSTER ON CIVIL SERVICE
REFORM.


The following Is the letter sent by Collector
Webster TO Mr.. George d. Cole, secretary Of tho
Civil Service Reform Association. in reply to the
communication the Collector received from Mr.
Cole, asking his Vows on the principles Of civil
service reform as advocated by the association:
CusToN HousE. BALTIMORE, Nh.
CoLLEcroR's OrFIcg. March s, lss2.
George ". Cole, Esq., Secretary If Girl Ssrrirs
Reform AssociafioB If MaTylaHd:
Dear Sir-i our favor Of the 9Th IL at hand 20.
day. Your communication Of the 9Th uliino was
also received enclosng resolutions passed By your
association In reference 90 the selection Of subor-
dinates In tho Baltimore Custom Hose, suggest
ing that Il be done according TO the principles
advocated by this Your association that Is to
say, by the competitive examination Of appoint
ments &e., stating that your association would be
pleased Go learn from Colonel Webster 10 what
extent he is in sympathy with lie purpose. and
principles" In reply, beg 20 assure you that
your communication ofthe 9TH ultimo has remained
unanswered to this time, not because Of any want
Of respect on my part for your association. or Of
interest IN the questions which you submit for the
expression Of my views, but chiefly because my
time since my appointment ~ collector Of this
port has been 90 fully occupied by persons seeking
appointment In the Custom House aud their
friends, some Of whom are members Of your asso-
citation. and by the present employees who desire
to be retained. and their friends, that opportunity
has not presented itself for earlier reply. Even
now, Tor the same cause, my answer must be made
briefer than the Importance Of the subject lie.
mands. With the general purposes and prinei.
pies Of your association, a. underst md them,
fully symPathiEe. | ain in full accord with your
desire 60 elevate the standard, Intellectual and
moral, Of the civil service Of the country and be-
lieve appointments should be made in accordance
with the fitness and merit Of applicants. but IL IL
due to frankness 20 say that DO not think that
the nm lilaaftane nd alm NJ
ineumbents ~ your association seems 20 hold, can
be fully properly determined by competitive cx
aminations alone. Especially l. this true In refer
ence to much the larger portion Of the subordi-
mates In this Office. consisting % day and night
watchmen. officially designated a. day and night
inspeetors. messengers and laboTcrs. These Off
GERS should not only be intelligent, but they should
especially be upright, sober, vigorous, vigilant
and cOurieous-qualiiies not easily diseoy ered by
competitive examination. but ascertaincd By per.
sonal intercourse aud by the nie gent aud b. nest
enforcement Of associates and acquaintance In
making appointments and promotions among my
suboriinaies, ] propose 60 avail myself Of all
trustworthy sources of information a. 20 their
qualifications and character not onitins eotnucti.
tive examinations when II l. neees sary that they
be made. In this connection. | may say iha,
possess at this time an unusual opportunity Tor
being personally acquainted With the thorough
htness of quite number u the applicants Who are
seeking employment in this office. They filed
most faithfully and efficiently, a few years aso.
while was collector the very o1ices which they
no~ seek 70 obtain. and removed for the
gentlemen who now occupy them. Indeed. out e
the 100 employees | left behnl when quilted the
Custom House in 1909. only three were here 10
welcome ne my return in i-S:. I Wil add
that the efforts %: your association 60 improve the
civil service q the general government command
my respect and nay beet ui.hc. for success. and
that trust that our municipal aud State govern
m y aHn al VHN nrH.nA
number % public officer. than are found IN the
Baltimore Casiom House. will also have the ben--
81 of your patriotic labor. in the interest q civil
service reform.
remain. very repeatedly. your obeiien; .er
want. HbWiS ". WEBSTER. Collector.