Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-08-06
FALSE CHARGES.

In American politics to-day there is no
question so important as that OF Civil
Service Reform. The Democratic party
is pledged to it, and President Cleveland
has in every way sustained the pledge. OF
late the papers have contained a great
deal about Postmaster Jones, OF Indian
apolis, and his violations OF the law on
civil-service. The charges were SO strong
and in many cases came from such
sources that it was impossible not to give
them some credence, and give rise to
wish that at least an investigation might
be made. The Civil-Service Commission
has made its report, and that report eX-
onerates Postmaster Jones from the
charges brought against him, and the
conclusions of the Commission are as
follows:
First-It does not appear that the post
master has made any appointment or re-
moval in violation of any provision of the
Civil Service Act or Rules. Only the first
and second rules place any limitation upon
the authority to remove, and no violation of
either of these has been charged or proved.
Second-The facts as to the conversations
OF declarations charged, related rather to
matters of taste and official prosperity than
to anything which is in itself a subject for
investigation, except in so far as those de-
claratiOns might shed light upon any ques-
tionable case of appointment or removal.
The evidence shows that the postmaster in
a conversation declared his purpose to make
L..
theory of political discrimination, which is
quite repugnant to the system of filling them
through examinations. In dismissing this
part of the subject, as to which it is not pos
sible to reconcile the testimony, the Com
mission thinks he has not had any intention
of resisting the rules, but that he now more
clearly understands that any political dis
elimination in making selections from
among those examined, will be a violation
both of the spirit and letter. The fact that
one of the examiners held that position
under the preceding postmaster and contin-
uously since the inauguration of the system,
and that three of the first five places made
vacant by removals were filled by promotion
from among the old employees, are not with
out significance as TO the purpose of the
postmaster.
Third.-It is a matter of regret on the part
of the Commission that it was not practic-
able for the Chief Examiner or one of the
Commissioners TO be present at the examln-
alton of June 10th, inasmuch as only one of
the three examiners was familiar with the
duties of his position. Investigation has
shown that the examination was not as thor
oughly supervised as was desirable. But a
most searching inquiry has failed to show
that there was any cheating attempted OF
any injustice done. Indeed there is no eyi-
dence of any such suggestion. Commits
sioner Thoman and Chief Examiner Lyman
! reviewed the marliT G papers of nearly one
half of all the examined, including those
marked the highest and those marked out
and failed in a single case to discover evl-
denceS of unfairness or discrimination. 1t
will be borne in mind that the papers can
be re marked as readily and accurately as
on the day after examination. The significant
fact that not a single person, whether
marked high or low, although the opportun-
! ity has been ample, has complained that
any injustice has been done him, or any
| favor shown any other person.
Rules and OF the civil service re-
| ferred TO in the same report are in the
following language:
Rule l. No person in said service shall
use his official authority or influence either
to coerce the political action of any person
or body, or to interfere with any election.
| Rule ,. No person in the public service
shall for that reason be under any obliga
! ton to contribute to any political fund, OF
to render any political service, and he will
not be removed or otherwise prejudiced fol
refusing TO do 50.
1t is genuine pleasure TO know that
the charges brought against Mr.. Jones
were false. When the charges were
made at the same time it was sought to
! bring in the name OF Nice-President
Hendricks and to place upon him the re.
sponsibility for such doings in the In
dianapolis post-offfce as were falsely
charged against Mr.. Jones. In the light
of the report of the Ciyil-Service Com
mission these charges fall to the ground,
and those who started them stand before
! the public as base calumniators. Had
the charges been true no doubt
the President would have requested
the resignation OF Mr.. Jones, and
| in that request the whole Democratic
party would have joined. 1t is a most
significant fact that not a single person,
whether marked high or low, or altogeth-
er marked out, although the opportunity
has been ample, has complained that any
injustice has been done him, or any favor
shown any other person" That the Com
mission could make such report is the
greatest vindication that Postmaster Jones
could have had As time moves on and
charges against the Administration are
made and are investigated, they fade
away in the light of truth, and that which
seemed dark becomes bright.