New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-29
OWL SERVICE REFORM.
ATTITUDE OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.
REPLIES TO POINTED QUESTIONS ny THE CIVIL
SERVICE REFORM ASSOCIATIONS.

REPLIES 10 POINTED QJESllDNS III luF I4Nll
SERVICE REFORM ASSOCIATIONS.
A committee of the Civil Service Reform AS
ISOLATION consisting Of George William Curtis. Everett
Wheeler William Potts. October 10. sent circular
to all candidates for State offices in NewYork. asking
behalf the association and for the Information Of the
voters in the state the following questions:
DO you approve the passed by the Legislature,
which the law OF the State which provides for
ana opn competitive examination aud subsequent pro-
btOn with such exceptions as may lie found expedlcnt;
and which prohibits absolutely the practice known pO-
litlca aSscSsInentsi
In the event OF your election would yoa aid III the
enforcement OF the law both according 10 Its letter ana lis
And I'm view Of the fact that the law will become fec
tive on the itb Of January next whereas you elected
during that Interval obey the spirit OF IA" law Ia making
Fly practicable though It's provisions were already
in force3
The following replies have been received from the
dldates on the Republican ticket
FROM THE CANDIDATE FOR STATE TREASURER.
Ihave lot particularly studied the details Of the net Of
the last Legislature concerning the Civil Service OF the
STATE 10 which you refer. would hesitate - form
express hastily opinion Of ~ merits. IT, evident pur
pose however, Is comnendable; and with the gen
cT1d spirit OF civil service Reform / have long
been in fuu sympathy,-bcu,ying that our
public service should be managed upon the
Positions ia the public service shOuld not Dee con-
sidercd privileges nor disposed Of rewards; blt should
character aud suitable ability.
As 70 the best methods Of selecting proper incTmhcus
for appointiye oice-, DO feel wise strenuous
Judgment The tentative measures for Lat purpose 10.
defects will probably hc developed therein requiring
amendment have fu faith that In securing general rc
CUgitiuu OF the principle, which underline true Csil
service reform, the foundation has been LAID upon which
shall be erected purified public service that VIII not
only render satisfactory business return 10 the country
but will become e1empl1cdtOn OF the culture aud
character Of the nation and have great formative inhu
ence thereon ~ we'll PiI&l J., SEXTON.
FROM CONTROLLER DAVENPORT.
In rcpiy yours t.e 18th inst. briefly say that
answer In the affirmative all The questions therein
tained II has been the policy OF this department To TIE
tain efficient clerks and This policy has been observed by
Controllers, whether Democratic OF Republican. An cX-
animation running back many years. o the roster OF
his department. a. punished ~ The stare lrd BOOK VIII
show the names Of men retained under both Democratic
and Republican Controllers. Speaking fIUm my expert
cncc II would DO misfortune Tor tue tate ana serious
mistake for Controller to reverse IN, common sense
policy IRA DAVLSrOEL
FROM TIE STATE ENGINEER AND SURVEYOR.
Gtly approve OF the principles OF Ciyn Service Re
form aud also Of the Till passed 10y the last Legislature iu
relation 70 that subject II reelected 10 the office Of state
power TO render tue law elective SIL,- SEYMOUR.
IRON ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RUSSELL.
Ihayc during my term of official service been opposed
10 the practice Of political assessments have appointed
discharged person for political cause and have
made my appointments and promotions entirely FOR per
5OIll mcTt ana nthcss nave always entertained the
idea that healthy, thorough, ana faithful public
well private, service could bc obtained from employees
by the OF security IN the retention " their petitions
80 long mertO1Our service rendered ana by the
hcaltLft stimulus of ambition when promotion uuIu
hunced by any other consideration than Lthiuiucs5
capacity and diligence.
therefore # Is very easy for 10 airn8tivcly
the question OF your letter that do approve the bin
passed 10y the last Legislature providing for appointment
IN the minor puzzle service upon full and open competitive
examination and subsequent probation, with such cXccp
tons may be found expedicnt, and prohibiting absO-
lutcly the practice known political
Pin the event Of my election, shall aid the enforce
Ineut Of the law In its letter and spirit the best OF my
ability.
3. In view OF the foregoing. IN answer to the third
question seems perhaps, unnecessary, but am very
willing to that should be glad to obey the letter
and spirit of the law both before and after II became cf
fectiye, the 4h day Of January wei thereafter
during my administration LESLIE ". RUSSELL.
FROM THE SECRETARY or STATE.
heartily approve OF and I'm full accord with the
resolutions relating 10 the Civil Service and political
assessments, adopted by the Republican State Conyen
ton held at Richcd Springs. II I reelected To the
Office hold, shall obey choerfuy well before
after effect, the spirit and the Civil
Service law enacted by tho last Legislature
JOsErH i. CARR.