New-York tribune., 1885-07-05
ACLEAN SWEEP BY GARLAND.
REORGANIZING HIS DEPARTMENT,
THE PUBLIC INTEREST SACRIFICED TO MAKE PLACES
FOR HUNGRY DEMOCRATS


FOR HUNGRY DEMOCRATS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIpUNE.I
WASHINGTON, July 4.-Honest Civil Service
rcformers feel indignant at the clean sweep made by
Attorney Garland In the Department Of Justice
The changes made for the purpose Of giving places to
Democrats, affect the efficiency Of the public service
more than Is generally believed. The Gov
ernment loses the services OF numb er
OF excellent advocates Of the interests Of
the United States before the Supreme Court and the
Court OF Claims. The places filed with Democrats
in sympathy with Southern claimants who demand pay
ment from tho Government from property lost and
destroyed during the Most suits decided In favor
of tho United States in the Court of Claims be
appealed by the claimants to the Supreme Court Of the
United States by removing the officers who have
studied these casos for years and who know all the
points involved and evidence collected, aud by appoint
Ing In their places without experience and In
paty with the claimants the doors OF tho Treasury
thrown open ana the way Is paved toward paying out
millions for fraudulent claims. Some OF tho change 5
made by tho Attorney General in his department. and
their significance are these:
In charge OF the office OF Solicitor General Virginia
Democrat ex-Congressman Goode, has been placed He
Ia Confederate. His legal training is meagre and
he wholly inexperienced in the duties to which he has
been assigned. The man he displaced was Samuel f.
Phillips appointed In 1872 to succeed Benjamin H.
Brstow, made Secretary OF the Treasury. Mr..
Phillips excellent lawyer, enjoyed in the highest
degree the respect and confidence Of the Supreme Court
and exceedingly successful in protecting before 1t
the interests of the United States.
The Assistant Attorney General Is in charge OF tho
before the Court OF Claims. Thomas Simons was
appointed to this place in 1875. During his term OF
Office he saved millions to the United States by defeat
ing fraudulent Southern claims. ITe s succeeded
by " Bob" Howard an Arkansas Democrat and ex-Con
federac who has already publicly expressed himself to
effect that heretofore too much stress laid upon
the fact that some claimants were dsloyal
Assistant Attorney Isaac g. Lyon, whose thorough
acquaintance with the entrusted to his care en-
abcd him defeat many frauds and who perhaps more
than any other labored to collect evidence and de-
tails necessary In preparing the who travelled over
the country otllng day and night, aud who was thorn
IN tue side OF rebel claimants is succeeded by Ben
jamn Wilson. OF West Virginia, ex-Confeder.
and Democratic member Of Congress from that state.
Assistant Attorneys John s. Blair. John c. Fay Frank
II. Howe TENTS r. Dick and H. r. Heath, employed on
similar work have been superceded by inexperienced
men. all Democrats OF course whose appointments are
due TO the practical influence OF fraudulent Southern
cianents The General Agent and the Examiners OF
the departments have also been made to walk the plank
This virtually abolshes the Examiner service because
| while the appOntees Will undoubtedly
draw their pay with cheerful regularity they cannot be
expected to perform with equal advantage TO the Gov
that work heretofore performed by experienced
examiners. Tie examination oi ohcers OF mar s.
clerks. commssioncrs attorneys, ctc niue uhuer nc
publican Administrations nave resulted III greatly in-
| proving the service, saving large SUMS ol ulOuc1
| 10 the Government ana preventing IN,
| position on the part OF careless 1 alia
Examiners Joel W. Bowman. Ralph Balin, and Messrs.
Nightingale and lorkc requested to resign and In
earnestly recommended To the confidence OF the At
torncy General by Democratic Congressman, Mt
| weight. but Bowman had "a mako room for hr Cnal'
mcfs, of Texas, "A cousin OF Fort Pillow ChainersI
Ralph Balm, who was appointed Tor ms pecui lhr
H. sn e,nert rconntant and tnoroighy convcrsant
With he N4,ks and
adary officers. lie Is Of fine executive abilities ana
the author of system Tor keeping Official records aud
accounts marshs for the introduction OF which Con
At is last -rsson and upon the recommendation
of special committee appropriated ~ 900. In the dis
coycry OF frauds accounts Major Ban has saved the
Government large sums OF money. - r.
amner Yorko. Before he was one OF tue
service the United states District Attor'
era asking him to detail Mr. Yorke assist defend
the title OF the Government In the property and I'M
proyements OF Mare Island. valued at s9.ooOOoO Mr.
iOrke thoroughly posted a. TO the claim against the
Government for the property. lie IA removed ana a
aud totally inexperienced man Is appointed III MS
When Mr. Garland took charge OF the Department he
dropped three examiners who had been IN the service
ory about month THIS he did To cnrtill expenses
Two OF The three men discharged happened to be Dem
ocrats-M J. Heskell and d. A. Fisher. Dir; Garland
wanted to retain the efficient and experienced men; ne
Now that three months have elapsed ana these tTo e
h",e probably i%rE"rsn ~ns, sh nrence% cyamimers
told 10 20, and Fisher ond Heiske are rcappOnted
Mr. Garland has al accepted the resignatan OF Cen
This direct violation of the spirit OF the civil Service
law. as Mr.. Ewngs place comes under the CLASSIFIED
service He Is most excellent palnstakng and efficient
officer Some time ago the Attorney y-Genera called
for the resignation OF Aaron T. button law clerk In
the Department, who Ill at the time and appointed
Mr.. Robinson, Of Louisiana Democrat lii MS place
The following dag Mr.. Dutton died The Attorney
Generals brutal treatment Mr. buttons friends as
serted had FASTENED hls death 49, 90
The Departn ent OF Justice Is now cleaned OF Republi
can officials Mr.. Garland has done his work quickly
and effectively. He can afford once more To De Clv
Service reformer Ii Is question Of time merely when
will follow his example III the Olucr
dana