Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-22
POLITICAL.
Lively Discussion in the Suffolk County
IN. " Democratic Convention on
the Civil Service Law.
Resolutions Offered by Congressman
Perry BelmOnt-Cleveland's Admin
istratiOn Endorsed.
The New York Republican Convention
to Meet at Saratoga TO-Day-The
Probable Candidates.

RIvERHEAD, l.: 1, September 21.-In
the Suffolk County Assembly District Con-
vention, to elect delegates to the State and
Judiciary Convention, this afternoon, Con-
gressman Perry Belmont offered the fol-
lowing:
ResolUed, That the Democrats OF Suffolk
county do hereby declare that we stand by
and reiterate the declarations on the SUBJ
ject of civil service reform made by the
Democratic National Conventions of 1876,
1880 and 1884; we demand that the power
of removal from office conferred on the
President of the United States by the con-
stitution be re-established, and to that end
that the tenure OF office laws Of 1867 and
1859 be repealed Immediately and entirely,
as we'll as the legislation Of 1920, known
as the 'four years law" We insist
tn at there should be a prompt displace-
n ent OF all those in the public service,
shown to have used their official power or
Influence ia the recent elections as ''offen-
sive PaFtisans," and unscrupulous manipu-
lators Of local party management. In re-
eet to the exercise of the power of
appointment of its inferior officers, as dis
tinct fIom the power of removal, we ap-
prove OF the civil service law of 1883,
which provides for a classification of
certain portion of the civil service as is
calculated to cid the executive in selecting
and appointing the most meritorious for
such offices, but we insist that the rules
for carrying that law into effect, and
the Interpretation of it, shall not
impair the constitutional power of choice
Of selection ana of appointment of such in
ferior officers as is vested in the heads
OF departments. We also insist that the
civil service law shall not be interpreted
or in any way be prostituted 30 as to pre-
sent to the appointing.power only Repub-
hcanS upon the list of eligible candidates
already having passed examinations, and
thus to promote the very objects which it
was the true intent and spirit of that law
to condemn. Neither the civil service law
nor any commission has anything
to do with removals, excepting of the
commissioners themselves, who can by
that law be displaced by the President
without consent Of the Senate. Competi-
tive examination has not been, and can
not be, applet 10 nominations and ap-
pointments to be made by the President,
on the advice of the Senate. The existing
civil service rules exempt from examina-
ton confidential clerks in any department.
all financial officers and those having to
| do with moneys or accounts under the
| security of a bond, all those in professional
employment. and all chiefs of bureaus,
deputy collectors, chief clerks and chief
In short speech Mr.. Belmont asked for
the adoption of the resolution, saying the
right way to deal with an important pub
lie question such as the civil service WAS
the direct way. He had voted for the
civil service law, and the Democratic ma
tional convention had on three occasions
advocated civil service reform; that Pres
ident Cleveland was elected on that plat
form, and was carrying out the law.
Ex-Judge John R. Reid of Babylon
moved to amend by adding that the senti-
menr Of the convention was in favor of
the total abolition of the civil service laws,
and that the President should turn out ali
Republicans and appoint Democrats.
A lively discussion ensued between the
two speakers, after which the resolution
was adopted with but one dissenting vote
that Of Judge Reid.
4 resolution strongly indorsing the ad-
ministrstions cf President Cleveland and
Gov. Hill was then passed, and the con-
vention adjourned.
CIeVeIand's Administration Endorsed.
New YoBK, September 21.-At meet
ing OF the Young Mems Democratic Club
tonight resolutions were adopted that
President Cleveland's administration was
worthy Of hearty approval, and urging
the Democratic State Convention to en-
body ap emphatic civil service plank in
~IaTf