Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-03-31
PITY THE POOR CLERKS
Whose Day of Party Assessment
Draws Near.
THE CoNNIVlNGs OF POLITICIAN:
To Cirsamyent the Civil Service Laws-HOw
ltis Treated by Bob Lincoln Grant
on BIaine-PoIitics Among
the Riehiganders.

WASHINGTON, March 30.-The civil Serv-
ice reform sham continues 10 hold forth.
The commissions expeditions into the in
terror for the purpose of holding examin-
ations frequently degenerate into mere
junket;ng tours. The recent trip to New
Orleans during Mardi Gras was a sample.
Only small percentsge OF the candidates
who have already passed examinations have
any prospect of ever being appointed to
places in the government service. A spec.
linen case is that OF a Pennsylvania lady
who vas among the frst to be examined
more than year ago. She stood every
test, and passed with grade OF 100. She
expected an appointments waited long and
patiently, and is still waiting. Meantime,
scores of non-eIamined persons, having
influence" back OF them, have been given
government positions.
A Fayoriie Method OF Defeating the
Law
is to fill vacancies by promotion, and for
tie lowest grade in which vacancies are
thus created, mere temporary appoint
ments are made under the convenient
puise OF "lsborer," or other menial term
for which the civil service rules do net pro-
vide.
The other day Congressman called on
Secretary Lincoln IN behalf OF q fayorite
who las passed q cTeditsh!e examination
before the Civil Service Commission. The
Cor CresSman wanted the tavorite appoint
ed 20 vacancy about 10 occur. 81 can't
do j., replied Robert, "y0u know the civil
service law" But the matter was finally
srIai gCd in this way, or at least the Con-
pressrnan says it was. II the favorite's
pane is on the list of four which the Civil
Service Commission will, under the law,
send the Secretary when he announces the
vacancy, that name is To ne selected oy tn-
War Department for the place. Having
accomplished this, the Congressman hiec
himself IN the commissions o'iic- ana
there go fixed" matters that his protPr"'s
name is sure TO he on the list Of tour 70 oe
sent 10 the Secretary OF War.
The Civil Service Law IL Very strict
about cam psgn assessments. As the stat
ute is worded it will take deal OF ipgenui-
~ to work the clerks for the customary
per cent of their salaries and at the same
Tine avoid liability under the law. But
American politicians are nothing il not in.
gerious. They have fo1nd n way to get
over that difficulty, and are already at
work. The government employees from
many States have Republican associations
here, and these are being strengthened and
new ones organized so as TO get every clerk
in the district into Republican club
The proper kind Of men are worked into
the officers chairs, and then these clubs
are to labor for the good old Republican
cause. OF course, the clerks are not TO be
assessed for campaign purp' ses-they are
merely to pay a club mem be rship fee, APP
portioned on the basis OF Their salaries, and
the club will donate its funds TO the Re-
publican Campaign Committee.
The Republican Managers
are in quite stew about the funds Of their
coming campaign. They fear that, with
al their ingenuity, they will not be able
to work the clerks as we'll as usual, and
their candidate OF 1854 will have urgent
reasons for inquir!ng: How are the de-
paTlments doing There is no Star route
ring 10 contribute largely OF its ill.gotten
wealth. The business interests" have
been worked so often that they are get.
ting little lukewRrm, and about the only
source left open seems to be the bis corpo.
rsliCLs and monCpolies who have whole
some fear OF Democratic power. As the
Republicans look ahead they fOresee the
nomination of a rich candidate by the
Democrats, but they have not even that
consolation on their own side. Neither
EImunds. Lincoln, Gresham, Arthur nor
Logan could call up big campaign fund
B,aIne's friends could do pretty well, but
il he Republicans want Il candidate that
will fiji their committee Golfers they had
better fsll hack on the old ticket-Grant,
OF New York, and Wilson, OF Iowa.