The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-13
THE CASE OF JONES.
commissions Eaton on the Results of thu
Civil-Service Examination.

commissioner Eaton on the Results of the
Civii-Service Examination.
New York Times.
commissioner Eaton was at the Fifth avenue
notei yesterday. and he was asked to give a
statement as to the result of the Civil service
Eomh,ssions examination of the charges
brought against the Postmaster at indianapolis.
rms matter, he said, had been greatly misuu-
oerstooo. some journals seemed to think the
commission found leniently for the postmaster
such was not the fact.
There was no testimony whatever" he said
showing any violation of the rules within the
part OF the service subject to the examination.
1t was beyond dispute that he had neither 70.
moved nor appointed any person in violation of
either the law or the rules. 1t was reported.
and may have been a part /. the charges laid
before the President, that outside that part of
the service-that is. among tie laborers and
workmen at the postofice-the post
san prescription, and therein had
violated the spirit of the civil-service act. But
the public laborers ard workmen at postofices,
as we'll as at custom houses and navy yards. are
yet at the mercy Of the spoils system. The
commission has no authority whatever, TO inves-
tigate. and did not attempt to investigate, the
action OF the postmaster liz dealing with poor
women who scrub floors or mend mail-bae,s. or
with poor men who clean chimneys. That part
OF the charges was not referred to the commits
sion. / will not now 60 into that matter. AS
a commissioner L can have nothing to do with it,
1t will not be long. l think, before these hum
blest and poorest of all the servants Of the
government will be as well protected as clerks
now are. AT present they have no protection
from the injustice of partisan officials. l cannot
see how their opinion in regard to politics or
religion is important, and believe the people will
soon think so.
1T was clear enough that some of the decla-
rations Of the postmaster were quite out OF
harmony with the spirit of civil-service reform.
He could not, perhaps, reasonably be expected
to change all at once into harmony with the
policy of the President. / believe he will soon
be found altogether in harmony with the ad-
mlnlstration under which he serves. But
in the meantime it should be remembered
that neither the law nor the rules limit the free
dom OF speech. They do not even require that
the words and action of an officer. shall be COM
patlbie. 1t was very natural that with such
declarations and such action outside the sphere
of the examination it should readily be inferred
that the doings inside the examination we're no
better. He brought the trouble upon himself.
But it is to be regretted that several journals
should have accepted suspicious facts. They
decided the case before the evidence was taken.
and now incline to charge the commissioners
with screening the postmaster. Nothing could
not have hesitated for an instant in exposing to
the fullest extent any violation Of the rules, had
any been made. But in making such investiga-
tons it acts iudicially, and any attempt to make
out a case against the accused or to get up a
sensation would have been disgraceful. The
charges were unquestionably presented in good
faith and had probable cause. Their investiga-
ton, | am sure, will have a very ~salutary effect.
1t was thorough and complete. 1t shows the
resolute purpose Of the President, and that no
official, even OF his own appointment, can screen
his action from publicity"