The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-11
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The President Explains His
Views and Position.
HIS

'e HIS
> Recently Made on the Commission
and Those Still to be
h Determined.
WASHINGTON, November g. President
e Cleveland to-day expressed himself us fol
Il lows to a member of the editorial staff O
8 the Post in regard to the reorganization O
the Civil Service Commission. "Reorgani
e cation of the Civil Service Commission we
, made necessary by the resignation OF mem.
bers of the old board. In such a reorgani-
e zation it seemed to me that friends for the
cause could be made in the party to which
l belong, and which is at present to a large
extent charged with the enforcement of the
law by changing the political complexion OF
| the Commission. This view was, l believe,
r shared by all the old Commissioners, and
the change has thus far progressed with
none but the best OF feeling, so far as I
know, OF their part. In the selection of
new Commissioners there were so many
different qualifications which | deemed de-
sirable, that l have found it no easy mat
ter to fill the positions with men who
could combine the elements which 1 con-
slider the most essential to a fair, honest
and
SUCCESSFUL ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
Prominent leaders in the civil service move
ment strongly advised me to select one Of
the commissioners from the South: ThisI
have done and the person selected from
that locality | am quite certain possesses
necessary qualifications for an efficient Off
Ger. Mr.. Edgerton 1 never saw until yes
terday, and l don't remember that I ever
heard of him until Chief Justice Waite
urged him upon my attention as q most
excellent man for the place. From my i'm
preston OF him upon a personal interview
and upon representations made by his
friends, l am entirely satisfied that
NO MISTAKE HAS BEE MADE
in his appointment. I can't rid myself of
the idea that this Civil Service reform is
something intended to do practical good,
and not a mere sentiment intended for the
purpose OF affording an opportunity to
ventilate high sounding notions and
phrases. My plan for giving it the greatest
possible usefulness involves removals-to
remove stumbling blocks from the way OF
good, honest men who are inclined to it's
support, and to demonstrate in a very
public manner it's value as adapted to the
everyday affairs OF the Government. Thus
two Democrats were selected, and l GER
tainly intended to select them for two
prominent positions in the Commission,
and this was done largely in Difference to
the sentiments and opinions held by
coon MEN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
It has also occurred to me that it was the |
plain dictate Of common sense that one of
the old Commissioners should, if possible, |
remain for a time to aid the new ones. The |
preparation of the report of the Commits
sion is a most important matter, affording |
an opportunity to recommend reform to |
the people by exhibiting to them all it has
accomplished, and the report ought to be
very useful, too, in removing misapprehen-
SION and objections. Deeming the expe-
rience OF one who has been in the Commits |
sion during the time to which the report
will relate, as OF the utmost value in it's |
preparation, and fully convinced that the
knowledge gained by connection with the
administration Of the law would be a new
help to the Commission, 1 obtained the con-
sent OF Mr.. Eaton to remain temporarily
in the Commission, and I yesterday ap.
pointed him in place OF Mr.. Thoman, the
former Democratic member. When Mr..
Eaton finally retires l shall appoint a Re-
publican, whose selection will, / hope, de-
tract nothing from the strength and
EFFICIENCY OF THE E COMMISSION.
My attention has been called to state.
ments in some newspapers relating to Mr..
Sterling. Ihave heard that he has applied
for examination as weigher. l have no in
as to whether he has passed or
not, but I judge from something appearing
in the papers that certain people fear be
has and are already flashing themselves
into a dreadful state of apprehension lest
he should be selected after examination to
fill the place to which he was appointed
without examination and from which he
was suspended. When the Civil Service
Commissioners consulted with ME as to the |
status OF Mr.. Sterling and the true conatruc-
ton OF the rule bearing On that subject. l
agreed with them in the opinion thai the
position as weigher was subject to an ex-
animation, and hat it should he filed by
one who by means of a proper examination
under the law had proved himself eligible,
but it seemed to me that the good OF the
service required that the person to be ap-
pointed should be possessed of
CERTAIN TRAITS AND QUALIFICATIONS
which M theoretical examination would
develop. One having charge of 200 or 300
men OF the class with which the weigher has
to deal should possess personal courage.
energy, decision and firmness of character.
1t is entirely certain that the possession of
qualifications could not in the latest
be determined by the result of an examina-
ton organized for the purpose OF testing an
applicants knowledge and education. So
| suggested that an examination for this
place be non-competitive, but finding that
the law and rules did not permit that in
such a case it wal proposed that instead OF
sending the appointing power only four
names from those who had proved them
selves eligible upon examination and oblig.
inn him fo oo1oof 1on NJ fhoro %Lo r,Lo1o
who successfully passed should be
sent up, thus permitting al opportunity to !
OF QUALIFICATIONS
not developed by examination. This, as
it, was agreed to among US, !
would he followed. I think it certainly
be-. l might perhaps add that at
The time it was as supposed settled upon
had not, and l am quite shure that no 4
member OF the Commission had the Slight
st idea that Mr.. Sterling would appear as
IN applicant for examination. Now, il
Mr.. Sterling has s. omitted to the condi- \
imposed by the Civil Service law, and S
t he has passed the examination pre-.
he should be treated Justly and
LIDO not mean to say that the ap- :
pointing power should be
UNJUST N UNFAIR
% Others by appointing Mr.. Sterling over
he heads of those who nave passed a bet g
er examination than he and who are found =
N inspection to possess qualifications '
to an effective performance of the
luties pertaining to the office; but l think =
Ill who have passed should be certified,
if under a fair application of the rules I
lid in the exercise OF honesty and in good
aith OF the selection thus afforded Sterling a.
hould be chosen, 10 friend OF civil service d
eform has any right to complain. No
ause can gain by injustice or by a twisting
it's purposes to suit particular tastes, =
md when a result is fairly reached through
methods adopted to further reform,
t should be accepted especially by friends I
the movement. They should not per.
ait these OF whom they require submission n
0 say with any semblance of truth that =
hey submit only when the result accords y
nth their views.