Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-07-16

lists from persons qualified as such who
have not undergone the civil service ex-
animation" That letter was referred to
me July 18th, by the Hon. G. s. Fair
child, Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury, for my opinion. On the same day [
answered said questions as follows: Il
think the Secretary of the Treasury has
the right to make such selections from
persons who have not undergons the
civil service examination. In examining
the civil service law with the rules, and
regulations of the commission, to-
gether with the classification made
by the Secretary of the Treasury of
clerks coming within the terms Of as;a as;j
law, l am satisfied .n .sas It was not in
'en" -. 10 include the eopyists referred
to in the inquiry. There is no doubt in
my mind as to the correctness of that
opinion, but my attention has been called
to that portion Of the appropriation act
of March 3, 1885, in which said copyists
OF $500 is allowed to each, and not $i2O,
Say that if my opinion had been asked as
TO whether the copyists provided for in
said act, the sum of 5000 to each being
therein appropriated. would have said
that under the classification made by the
Treasury Department said copyists would
come within the classification and civil
service law. Why Mr.. Switzler in his
question said salary of $40 for less, !"
when 5000 is provided for in the appro-
priation, | cannot say. | deem it Just to
you and myself to make this explanation
and statement. Very respectfully,
ID, J. DURHAM; Comptroller.
The Presidents Way OF Finding out
About Public Affairs.
WASHINGTON, July 15-The Presi-
regard to public affairs from other than
the customary official" sources has al
ready become matter Of considerable
comment Recently a prominent bust
ness man in one of the Middle States,
whose name is entirely unknown in poll
tics, became personally interested in the
proposed transfer of an official from one
part to another and wrote to the Presi-
dent, giving his reasons in business
mans way opposing the change, which
reasons were chiefly personal to the Off
cial the order for whose transfer ha d
already been issued. The President
wrote in reply that he appreciated the
validity of the reasons which had been
given him and would couotermand the
order for the transfer. lie also expressed
a wish to meet his correspondent when
ever the latter should find himselfi in
Washington. A brief friendly CORES
pondence grew out of the episode and the
gentleman, who had business at the Capt.
tol one recent Saturday, called at
the White House. Although the
new custom excluded visitors on that
day, the caller was very cordially
greeted. The President sat for an hour
conversing with him, and spoke freely
upon many general matters of public
policy. lie expressed determination to
have none but good men in office. and
said with some emphasis that when a
politician deceived him in making a
recommendation to cfice, that would end
that mans influence with him. Among
the topics referred to more particularly
was the selection of Collector Heddon
for the post of New York. The Presi-
dent is reported to have said that this
was not made In compliance with the
suggestion of any politician or any politi-
cal organization, but solely with v;o--
to meeting, as f. &c n,ss;b,a tho v;aw. ,aw
~ =. business men. TO ascertain what
these views were he (the President) had
first set on foot private inquiry among
business men to see whom they would
like to have in The place. in this way
Mr.. Heddoh's naine was brought to
the Presidents attention, and there
after the inquiry ,. was pursued
more definitely to ascertaia if his
appointment would be acceptable
The result was strongly affirmative and
the appointment followed at the proper
time. The President said he was giving
personal attention to the matter of ap,
pointments, and that the personaIIftnes'
of the applicant for the Office sought was
the first question considered.