The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-06
THE FINDING.
n Report with which the Postmaster Should
BE More than Satisfied

a Report with which the Postmaster Should
BE More than Satisfied.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-The Civil servica Com
mission day made its report to the President
in regard to the charges against Postmaster
, Aquilla Jones, of Indianapolis, referred to The
commission for investigation by the President,
July 49, The commission begins by stating the
charges as follows:
First-Whether for the purpose of securing
patronage, or for other unjustifablo reasons, one
or more persons had been removed by the post
master in violation of the ciyilseryice act or
rules.
Second--Whether the postmaster had, by his
public conversation or declarations, at the times
referred to in the charges, expressed purpose to
disregard the law and rules especially by select
ing only those of his own party and by rejecting
those of the other party among the applicants
certified for appointment.
Third-Whether the examination held on the
10th day Of June last at his office, or the mark
ing and grading of the papers of those examined
was so irregularly or unfairly conducted as not
to do justice to the applicants.
The report then saws the charges were for
warded to Mr., Jones, and his written reply is
submitted. Commissioner Thoman and Chief
Examiner Lyman also went to Indianapolis and
Examined twenty witnesses, whose testimony
filling 131 pages. is submitted. The commission
states its conclusion as follows
First-It does not appear that the postmaster
has madeany appointment or removal in violation
of any provision of the civil-seryice act or
r ues. Only the first and second rules put any
limitations the authority to remove, and no
violation of either of them has been charged or
proved
Second-The facts as to the conversations or
declarations charged, related rather tomatters Of
taste and official propriety, than to anything
which is, IN itself, a subject of investigation.
except in far as these declarations might shed
| light upon any questionable case of appointment
or removal Tho evidence shows that the post
| master, IN conversation, declared a purpose
| to make removals and appointments
| according to theory of political
| discrimination quite repugnant to the civil
| service law. Such declarations very naturally
awakened distrust and suspicion that his act
| had been in accordance with his words These
! facts naturally resulted in the presentation of
| the charges, and the commission has found
| abundant reason for thinking they were present.
| ed with commendabe purpose Of promoting
the just enforcement of the civil service law and
rules and that they are likely tohave that effect
| 1t is due to the postmaster to state that he
| declares himself not to have been ellnformcd
as to the full effect of the rules in regard
! 20 pontical discrimination at the
| lime of the conversation, and that
! what he stated as to selection
| had reference to places not to be filed through
the examinations. In dismissing this part of
| ttIe SuoIScl, DIS 10 WHICH IL Is NOT possible to
reconcile the testimony, the commission thinks
the postmaster had not, and he has not now. anv
intention of resisting the rules, but that he now
more clearly than before, understands that any
political discrimination in making selections
| from among those examined will be violation
| both Of the spirit and the letter of the civil
| servceGues
Third-lt was matter of regret on the part
| OF the commission that it was not practicable for
! the chief examiner or one of the commissioners
| to he a a NJ 7
! asmuch as only one Of the three examiners va
familiar with the duties Of his position. The in.
| vestigatOn has shown that the examination was
not as thoroughly aupervised as was desirable
! but the most searching inquiry has failed to
| show that there was any cheating ATTEMPTED or
! any injustice done; indeed, there is no evidence
| having such a suggestion. Commissioner Tho
man and Chief Examiner Lyman reviewed
the marking of the papers of near
! ly half Of all those examined
including those marked highest and those
| marked out. and failed in single case to dis
| cover any unfalrness or discrimination It will
| be borne in mind that the papers can be re-
marked as readily and accurately one year as
| one day after al examination. 1t is a signj6'
cant fact that not a single person. whether
| marked high or low, or altogether marked out,
although the opportunity has been ample has
| complained that any injustice has been done
| him, or that any favor has been shown to anv
other person. In view of these facts and max.
I ing due allowance for inexperience, the com
| mission regards the action of the examiners as
creditable TO their intelligence and sense Of JUS
tice and finds not the least occasion for disturb
! ing the examinations.