New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-19
CIVIL SERVICE DEADLOCK.
POLITICAL USES FOR THE EXAMINERS.

THE "N0N-PARrISAN" COLLECTOR LEANEs lhr
SURVEYOR TO FIGHT THE COMMISSION
Chairman COmstock, the sole remaining MEM
Der Of the Civil Service Examining Board at the Custom
House, was asked yesterday II he also would soon re-
sign, such report had been circulated about tho
Custom House. In reply he said that at present he had
such intention. As Mr. Comstock Is deputy In the
Naval ONCE, and his SUPERIOR Mr. Burt is in full sympa
thy with the Civil Service reform system. he ia amply
protected and can afford to remain In the Examining
Board Of which he has been a member for eight years.
But 1t Is well understood by his friends that he
will not remain member Of the Board
II the Surveyor and Collector succeed
In packing 1t for partisan purposes they hope to do
Commissioner Thoman IL the only member OF the civil
Service Commission in Washington, and he has ac-
cepted the designations OF @. w. Williams and Jasper T.
Kane as members OF the Examining Board. As Mr..
MusFraves resignation was previously accepted, and
Examiner stanwood was removed from Office, the
Board VIII be unable transact any business until
the vacancies filed II is expected that the resgua
ton of Examiner Stevens which sent to Washing
ton on Monday, will DO accepted also. Some
surprise was expressed over Mr.. Thoman's prompt
action In accepting these resgnaons the examiners
had consented to act until the vacancies filled but
now the Board has not quorum.
Tho new deputy collector. Arthur Berry, whom Mr..
Thompson long ago made leader OF the County Democ
racy organization In the With Assembly District
nned 10 act as Collector yesterday Mr. Heddon though
not member OF the Democratic State Committee, being
absent at Saratoga to assist Hubert o. Thompson In his
political manipulations. As II TO increase the
complications in tho Examining Board and
force the Commission to accept the
three names OF Berry. Barre and McKeoun. sent to
Washington by the Collector ana Surveyor. Mr.. Berry
yesterday made requisition Chairman Comstook for
the Immediate cercaon OF the names OF two persons
from whom TO make selection for gaugor There Is
certified tho only eligible tho LIST
persons who had been examined for such appointments
collector edden made reply to the letter containing
that ne had not returned the certincate. Now
The Ms Board a'''Df E aa s' left E''y whoas
quorum the acting dopny requests that an lmmedate
Ing vscanles the Examining Board. and az Mr.
Berry sent letter To the Ciy Service Commission
ces, there was feeling about the Custom House that
lie was seeking 10 force his own appointment as an
the Collector, has not before attempted to ex
ercise such arbitrary powers as Mr. Berry has
on such naiter "a that Of refusing to comply with the
courteous request OF the Civil Service CommIssIon
the Comm ssion and In regard TO the appointment OF
gangers Il IL Thought b. persons familiar with Custom
was willing to leave Mr.. Berry 10 do the work OF
antagonizing the Commission Last week. when the
Collector asked about appointments that had
been officers night watch, sad that he
knew nothing aboutIhe matter and referred the inquirer
made by the Collector; which regarded far
evidence that the Surveyor aud not the Collector, Is
mHuaging tue political affairs OF the Custom House.
Thomas Churchill and NJ. r. Graham, probationary
clerks the seventh aud eighth divisions yeser
day confirmed clerks, and another probationary
assistant gnugcr confirmed No person has yet been
named Deputy Surveyor TO succeed Sir. hlbbe, but t
sBid that disappointment would DO made after tho
conference OF Democrats at the place would be
aid IN securing deiogsos To the State Convention
for Edward Copper for Governor Nj Cooper called tho
Surveyors Office the day before his departure for Sara
tngA Surveyor Bcstt' said yeseptdy that he did not
care whether not there Civil service Examining
Hoard that he should 1.-Two up 10 the existing laws
and compel his snbordinates To do He said that
while b" did not think much OF scholastic examinations
for ascertainnE mans fitness for Office yet h. should
abide by the law lie said thHt lie satisfied from his
own examinations that ihe two men he removed IA a.
sstan gauger incompetent. They could not prop
erlv answer urunIry questions ia mrusuratiOn. mem
Der OF the local CIVIL Service Reform Association in
fertluY TO thls matter said;
think Mr. Beattes attitude on thismatter u ono TOO
ridiculous for sensible IN take He refers 20 the scho
lastc examinations hunbugs, and yet when e wanted
10 yet nd OF assistant gnugcrs he called them into
his oico ard asked them difficult questions IN mensurH-
ton aud othe. scholastic requirements and because
they did not - his mind. Immediately furnish salts
factory replies he removed them as incompetent Those
aur-tnus more dr ut than any asked BY the civil
service Examining Board. II IL not claimed that this
mode OF examination l. alone sufficient 10 determine an
applicants illness and for that reason appointments
are made Elk months probation. But ln-
work as "a test, Mr. Beattle undeft ok n new
aud difficult scholastic examination on his own account,
and on tie alleged result OF that he made his Judg
ment Of the assistant gaugers ntnsss to retain their
places that not only The height 81 absurdity
ire -urveyors theory, but IL 10 the
for that rra.O ~ the Surveyor should Ind that he had
made himself liable To "a fine aud imprisonment"