New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-06
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
FAVORABLE REPORT FOR AQUILA JONES

FAVORABLE REPORT FOR AQUlLA JONES
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FISDs THAT HR
TALKED 100 MUcm-HE GAINS SOME KNowL
EDGE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-The Civil Service
Commission to-day made the following report to the
President on the case of Aquila Jones' postmaster at
Indianapolis:
SIR: The Civil Service Commission herewith very
respectfully submits lis report in the matter OF that
mister master at indianapolis which was referred
to the commission for investigation by the President IN
his communication dated the 18th OF July last That
portion of the charges, IN substance, involves the fo
iowing points for Investigation:
Whether for the purpose of securing patronage or
for other unjustabe one or more persons had
been removed by the postmaster, III Violation Oh the
civil Service &C; or rules. go
2 Whether the postmaster had. by his public CONVEX
sson declarations. at the times referred to IN the
charges expressed purpose 10 dsrcgard thc IA" ahl
rules especially by selecting only those Of his own
party among the applicants certified for appointment
3. Whether the examination ned ON the ION day OF
June last his Office working and grading Of the
paper OF those examined. was 40 irreguar,y or I'M
fairly conducted not t. do Justice 10 the appcants
At once upon receiving the Presidents conninhlca-
tiou the commission addressed letter to Mr. Jones.
the postmaster at Indianapolis, Wha WIN ,, ~
a copy Of the charges, in when letter
his attention was called To the points nvoi'ing
his Official conduct. and he was requested 10 MAKE IN
appropriate answer and explanation IN "rflhg. us
response Is among the Iarts Transmitted herewith.
Commissioner lhOman ana Ohei Examiner ~ nun, a'
the request Of the commission proceeded To ndinapo
lis aud made full and thorough investigation OF All the
matters mentioned In the President commuhisa.ioi
the details of which shown In the Isl pages OF est
mony being that OF twenty persons ana among thein
that OF Postmaster Jones. herewith sunmtrh ln'Ie
% be need for cnerng largely into partcunrs
this report, but the commission may state us cohcu'
siOn- upO the three main pplui. a. ioiloWn'
|. II nOes not appear that the po'imaste: mas maze
any appointment or removal III violation OF any pro
vision OF The tlN o'rVl' hct OF rueS. vhS w, ~
aud second rules put any limitation upon the authority
To- and no violation Of either of them ua' De'h
= The far, a to the conversations declarations
CHARGED related rather to matters OF taste ana "cla
propury than TO amy hing when IL III it-'h rI'c' o
investigation. except IA so far as those declarations
might she'd light upon any questionable case OF appoint
ment or removal. The evidence shows that the post
master IL conversation declared purpose 20 b'he re-
movals and appointments according 10 theory OF po,
teal di-crin nation quite Tepugnant 10 the spri ana
the letter uf the rules such aions very naturally
awake ed distrust aud suspicion that MS action iin
been M accordance with his words These facts naturally
resulted IN The pres alton OF the CHARGES ana thc com
mission has found abundant reason Tor thlhKhs lhay
promoting The just enforcement OF the Cvil Service las
due posmasterto state that he declares hinse
not TO have been we'll Informed a. TO the
fun elect OF the rules IN regard 10
political determinations AZ the time Of the Conversations
and that what he stated as to selecting those OF ms own
party and rejecting those of the other had reference" To
places be nled through DETERMINATIONS III as
missing h, part OF the subject as to which IL Is hot
possible 10 / cpucile the testimony. the commission
thinks postmaster had not amt thAt he ha- not now
any intention Of resisting the rules bnt he now more
clearly than before understands that any political DIS
criulnaon f. making selections rom among those ex
.miuci Will be violation both OF the spirit hd oI the
letter Of hs ru.- Tho fact hat one OF The examiners
held that position under the preceding postmaster ana
continuously since tho Inauguration Of the system aud
that 81 the first places made vacant 10y renov
as we're nllni 10y promotions from among the old en-
poyc are not without significance as to the purpose OF
the postmaster
8 Il wa a matter 81 regret on the part OF the CON
ms.ion.r- not practicable Tor tue Chei TX
the to be present al the
June TO- iuasmuch only one oi the hfee
examiners familiar with tho duties OF hi- position
The investigation has shown that the examination was
not thoroughly supervised as wa desirable Bat the
most searching inquiry has failed Ia show that there was
any cheating pied injustice done Indeed
there l. no evidence having such suggrstou Com.
mi. sOuer Thoman and Chief Examiner lyman reviewed
the king ~ hc papers OF nearly hat OF Az tuosc
examined. Including those marked highest ana those
marked out failed IN single case TO discover any
evidence uufairurs- or determination II VIII be
borne mind that tho papers can he rrlnaIksu as
readily and accurately one year a. one hay ait'r an
examination Il Is significant fact that not single
per.on whether marked high low. or altogether
marked out though the opportunity has been ample has
complained that any injustice has been done hun OF
that any favor has been shown To any other person.
ia view -; these facts aud making due allowance FOR
urxpercncc IA. commission regards The action Of the
examiners as cTedltabc their intelligence aud sense OF
Justice and finds the lcnst occasion for disturbing
the examination Aud have The honor OF being very
respectfully, your ObcdIcut servants,
BORMNN r. EAToS,
LEROY D. THOMAN,
Commissioners, Nc., dc.