Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-06
NOT A MERE SENTIMENT.
The President on Civil Service Reform

From the Washington Post
President Cleveland made yesterday the fob
lowing personal statement to the Post.
"The reorganization OF the civil service COM
mission was made necessary by the designations
of the members OF the old beard In such re-
organization it seemed 10 me that friends for
the cause could be made i'm the party TO which
1 belong. and which is ut present, to a large
extent, charged with the enforcement of the
law. by changing the political complexion of
the commission. This view. / think was shared
by AL the old commissioners and the change
has thus tar progressed with nothing but the
best ieeIing AS tar as know on their part.
IN the selection OF the new commissioners
there were many different qualifications
which deem desirable that have found 1T no
easy matter TO ill the positions with men who
would combine the elements which 1 consider
most useful to the fair, honest and successful
enforcement of the law. Prominent leaders i'm
the civil service movement strongly advised
me TO select one OF the commissioners from the
south. This L have done; and the person
iected from that locality / am quite certain
possesses all the Qualifications for an efficient
officer.
MIR. Edgerton i never saw until yesterday
and don't remember that ever heard of him
until Chief Justice Waite urged him upon my
ATTENTION as most eNce.lant man for the
place From my impression of him upon per-
Sonal interview and from represen tations made
ny ms friends l am entirely satisfied that no
mistake has been made in his appointment.
Il cannot rid myself OF the idea that this
civil service reform is something intended to
do practical good and not mere sentiment i'm
vented for the purpose of aflording opportunity
to ventilate Understanding notions and fine
phrases. My plan of giving it the greatest pos
sible usefulness involves the removal of srum-
bling blocks from the way OF good, honest men
who are inclined to its support md demon
strateS in every public manner its value as
adapted to the everyday affairs Of the govern
ment.
THUS two democrats were selected, and 1
certainly intended to select them for the two
prominent positions in the commission: and
this was done largely i'm Difference to the Senti-
ments and opinions held by good men in the
don 10 nd has al Sn f.l
me that it was plain dictate OF common sense
that one of the old commissioners should, if
possible, remain for time TO aid the new ones
The preparation of the report OF the commission
is "A most important matter affording an occa-
sion to commend the reform TO the people by
exhibiting to them all that il has accomplished;
and il ought to be very useful, too. in removing
misapprehensons and objections. Deeming
the experience of one who has been in the COM
mission during the time 70 which the report
will relate, of the utmost value in its prepara-
ton, and fully convinced that the knowledge
gained by connection with the administration
OF the law would be a great help at the outset 10
the new commission, / obtained the consent of
mission; and / have to-day appointed him i'm
the place OF Mr.. Thoman. the former demo-
cratic member When Mr.. Eaton finally retires
L shall appoint "A republican whose selection
will, hope, detract nothing from the strength
and efficiency OF the new commission.
MY attention has been called To statements
in some OF the newspapers relating TO Mr. Sterl-
ing. i have heard that he has applied for en-
animation as wegier. i have no informal
from something appearing i'm the papers, that
certain people lear that he has, and are already
flashing themselves into a dreadful state of APP
prehension lest he should be selected. after ex-
animation, 10 fill the place to which he was APP
pointed without examination and from which
lie WAS suspended. When the civil service COM
mission consulted with nae as 10 the status OF
Mr.. Sterling and the true construction OF the
rule bearing upon that subject, agreed with
them in their second opinion that the position
of weig CHER was subject 10 an examination, and
that it should he filled by one who by means OF
proper examination under tue law proved
himseIfcompctent and eligible. But il seemed
To Inc That the good of the service required that
the person TO be appointed should be possessed
of certain traits and qualifications which
10 theoretical examination would de-
veiop One having in charge two or three
weigher has to deal should possess personal
courage, energy. decision and firmness of char
actcr. Ii is entirely certain that the possession
OF such qualifications could not in the least be
determined by the result OF an examination
organized Tor the purpose OF testing an appii-
cant's Knowledge and education. So / sug-
sested that the examination for this place b.
nor-compettive; but finding that the law and
rules did not permit that in such a case il was
proposed that instead OF sending to the aDpoinf-
ing power only four names from those who had
proved themselves eligible upon examination
and obliging him To select one of them, the
whole number who successfully passed should
be sent up; thus permitting an opportunity 10
judge of the qualifications not developed by the
This, as understand 1t, was agreed 10 among
would de followed. think II certainly should
be. L might, perhaps. add that at the time il
was, as supposed, settled upon. l had not,
and am quite sure that member of the
Commission had the slightest idea that Mr. Ster-
ling would appear AS an applicant for exami-
nation.
Now, if Mr.. Sterling has submitted TO the
conditions imposed by the civil service law,
and II he has passed the examination pre-
scribed he should be treated Justly aud fairly. /
do rot mean TO say that the appointing power
should be unjust and unfair u Others by APP
pointing Mr. sterling over the heads OF those
who have passed u better examination than he,
and who are found on inspection. 10 possess
the other quaiif cations essential To an effective
Office. But think all who have passed should
be certified, and IL, under q fair application OF
the rules. and in the exercise, honestly and in
good faith, of the selection thus afforded, Mr..
Sterling should be chosen, no friend OF civil SER
vice REFORM has any right TO complain.
- No cause can gain 10y in Justice, or by a twist
Ing or its purposes 10 suit particular tastes And
when result Is fairly reached through the
proper operation Of methods adopted TO further
Il reform, 1t should be acceptec-especially by
the friends OF the movement They should not
10 say, with any semb1ance OF truth, that they
themselves submit only when the result accords
with their views
A Victory for the Administrator.
Fromthe Louisville Courier-Journal.
1t is a complete victory for the administra-
ton and the party, won in the face of a noun
tain of Misrepresentation and soreheadedness.
--->O>-
Opening or thc balkan C0uference.
The first meeting OF the Balkan conference
took place in Constantinople yesterday. Bus-
ness was limited TO the exchanging of creden-
tials and the appointing Of officials The con-
ference viii reassemble ON Saturday, when the
first formal session will be held. The confer
ence Ol,enS with accord among the pOWer8 the