The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-03
AGAINSTTHE SPOILS SYSTEM
The State Civil-Service Association
Meets and Perfects an Organization.
Senator Foulke Makes Suggestions Which
Meet with Democratic and Mug
wump DisapprObation.

first meeting. There present Senator w. ID.
Foulke, OF Richmond, and his brother-in-law, Mr..
Reeves of the city w. " Stewart, of Lafayette
Editor Reed of the Peru Republican and the follow
Eng, of indianapolis: John W. Murphy, Col James B.
Black, w. P. Fishback. Lindey Vinton Lucius B.
Swift. Louis Rowland. Noble G. Butler Joseph
Keatinge Horace Speed, Oliver T. Morton, Col W. R.
Holloway. Charles Walker and Rev. Oscar G. McCul-
Ioeh While the meeting in progress others.came
zn increasing the meeting to about thirty five
As to organization, every one seems to be OF the
same mind, for, after placing Senator fouke IN the
chair and making Noble c. Butler secretary the pro-
eeedings met with opposition as to amendment OF
detail in plan or government of the association The
chair stated that the meeting in response to call
which had been numerousy signed throughout the
State to take action looking the creation of sent
rnens and work in favor of civil-service reform in
Indiana 1t the purpose to strive for reform of
this kind similar to that in New York and Massachu
setts 1t comprehended competitive examinations for
subordinate officers and the purpose to secure legisa
ton adapted to this end possible
1t suggested that committee of three be APP
pointed to draft constitution. but Lucius b. Swift
Nd that he and other gentlemen had been canvassng
that necessity and he had with him copy of the con-
stution of the Civil Service Association of New York
With the consent of the meeting, he would like to
read it, probably answering the purpose
He, in consultation with others, had made
a few. changes in striking out, interlinatlon
and addition to apply it to this locality.
Mr. Swift was requested to read the paper, which he
did 1t seemed to meet the ideas of all for at once
this New York constitution with material changes,
was taken up seriatm and adopted without change,
excepting increase IN the number of vice presidents.
in order to give to each congressional district
The constitution has ten sections the fret naming the
organization as the Indiana Civilservice Reform AS
rsafiop and tho
The object of the association shall be
to establish system Of appointment.
founded upon the principle that public Office is public
trust admission to which should depend upon proved
fitness To this end the association will demand that
appointments to subordinate executive offices, with
such exceptions may be expedent not inconsistent
with the principle already mentioned, shall be made
from persons whose fitness has been ascer
tanned by competitive examinations, open to
removals shall be made for legitimate caule
only such as dishonesty. negligence, inefhciency,
but not for such reasons political opinion. or re-
fusa to render party service and that the association
will advocate all other appropriate measures for
curing integrity intelligence efficiency good order
and due discipline in the civil service of the national
government the State of Indiana and various munich
paites therein" Section third relates to meetings,
funds correspondence support of all legislative and
executive action that promotes the service. Section
four draws the line of party feelings, promptings
prejudice and favorsn by saying that party dis
cusson shall enter into the work of the association,
shall party utilization be used in promoting ap
pointing officers.
The government of the association is provided for
IN president thirteen vice presidents, for each
congressional district, and secretary. But
aside from these an executive committee of six is to
have great deal of power and is to be in
of both executive and legislative character. 1t will
administer the affairs of the association in
and otherwise making itself useful 1t
enact bylaws, amend the constitution, but not with
out the approval of the association and look after
absence of election by the association at its annual
meeting, but as to its appointing secretary and
treasurer there restrictions whatever. 1t can
appoint corresponding secretaries at such points in
the State it may deem fit The ecutive
mite is required to be appointed equally from Repub
Gcans and those in sympathy with the administration.
Vacancies in it to be filed by the president while
the committee itself shall appoint all other comR&
tees.
This brings the constitution up to Section 2, which
provides that the associations annual meeting shall
be held the first Friday in October Section relates
to membership An applicant must be proposed by
member in writing which is to be acted on by the
executive committee. All members dropped if
their dues are not paid.
those who have signed the call shall be considered the
original members Of the association, on payment
of dues This was carried, when a, recess
of I've minutes taken to allow the president to
select the executive committee which ne announced,
the meeting coming to order follows: James B.
Black. Oliver T. Morton. Noble @. Bnter, Louis How
land, Iucius B. Swift, John W. Murphy
Voce-There does not seem to be three in accord
with the present administration the committee
l.
for of them, and if it is necessary the rest
stand up and speak for themselves
The committee selected was approved, when. no
one being prepared with additional suggestions or
motions the meeting had liking for adjournment,
but Senator Fouke said he had a motion that might
be properly investigated at the present time if the
executive committee for further examination. His
attention had been called to the considera-
in this State or outside Of it. Between the 1st and
10th OF August he had written 295 letters to the
of the suspensions and whether they had been
made in accordance with civil service reform. He
also asked if charges had been preferred and by whom
and when they filed; whether said charges had
been investigated and if evidence had been taken If
no charges had been preferred against them who was
responsible for their removals? The Senator said
ut exists but there had been a violation
of its spirit well of the spirit of President
Ceyeiand's letter and George William Curtiss ad-
dress The removals had been mostly made the plea
OF offensive craftsmanship, which the administration
regarded as just cause He had received 155 replies
from Indiana and presidential postmasters in other
States. In Indiana ninety-nine postmasters and
fhirty-two presidential postmasters in other States
replied that no notice given by the department,
or by any person. of any charges having been made
or filed against them There was no investigation
OF any description whatever, far the knowledge
OF these suspended postmasters went There were
only two Investigations as far he could draw from
the replies of others. One was that of Miss E. A.
Bidgood, postmistress at Cleveland, Ind, and T. J.
inspector and in Mr.. Buffers Office short
age ncsurred Others replied that the first
jntimation they had of being suspended was
through the newspapers, by the new appontees
presenting the order of suspension their commits
Bons. Eighteen removals attributed to one con-
gresham. In Indiana, Matson is credited with four
Lowry with the same number and Bynum Ten
Indiana postmasters, suspended postm asters, and
eleven elsewhere requested copies of charges and an
opportunity for investigations. No opportunities
were given and charges disclosed. Twelve editors
OF Republican papers were removed. The remainder
Of the respondents resigned.
Senator Foulke said that all this was on OK parte
evidence, and no doubt in many instances the admin.
istration had sufficient make the suspensions
and removals But he thought there was enough in
the result of his letters to warrant the nronrf f
making inquiry at the department. whether these
changes have been made without investigation. II
would probably be the best after this to snbm
the matter to the President He suggested that the
be referred To the xecutiva cornrnittaa - -