New-York tribune., 1885-02-13
LEGISLATION IN ALBANY.
TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.

| MULTITUDE OF BILLS INTENDED TO RESTORE Po-
LITICAL PATRoNAaE-DIsCUssION IN THE JU-
DICIARY COMMITTEE.
(FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
ALBANY, Feb. 12.-The Assembly Judiciary
Committee listened arguments this afternoon on the
various bills amending the State Civil Service REFORM
Law. multitude Of these bills confront the Assembly,
nearly all OF introduced by Democrats from new
YORK They frankly state the Civil Service law In
nerferes with the acquisition and retention OF patron
age Their amendments. II adopted. would cripple the
law some OF them indeed would make 1t imperative
owing to the number Of exemptions granted by them
George Walton Greene appeared in behalf OF
the New-York Civil Service Associations Silas W. Burt
Chief Examiner Of the State Civil Service Commission;
William G. Sanger and William @. Low to represent the
Brooklyn Civil Service Reform Association Mr. Greene
made the opening speech He stated that the Newton
Board Of Aldermen had passed resolutions against the
Civil Service reform law examinations He appeared 10
especially oppose exempting policemen, hremen anu
houoraby discharged soldiers and sailors from exa'n
ton He denied that the examinations were unfair or
prejudical civil service. Ee then compared the
examinations Of persons applying for positions Us ponce
men under the old system and tho new system Ihere
were few college bred But of 2l3 successful ap-
pcants for positions tho police force Oh New
is3 received II common school education ana only ~
college education As for the boosted physcal .es.'
that did not amount to much under the old system
Favoritism governed IT, Men were mracuiousiy eurco
chronic diseases when 1t was necessary to get tben on
iect TO a strict medical examination. BY simple con-
trvance the strength Of mans lungs heart arms legs
WAS tested They were put 10 run
mile Their experience with firearms was
tested. The result Of the examinations In Brooklyn
had been -u ,cessful In departments that were not
under tho Civil Service regulations the commissioners
found IL necessary tn get men under the new system
The amendments suggested intended TO break down
tbe new system and reintroduco the old system OF
fnyoritism The suggestion to give the preference 10
discharged soldiers and sailors merely device 10
give polite leaders the power to put In ONCE henchne
OF theirs who happen to be discharged soldiers and
snors Under the amendment only discharged soldiers
would get Office. All others would be excluded. Now
every discharged soldier ana sailor ha chance 10 get
Office The people supported this system IL gave 10
every man "A chance open chance, 10 begin career
m the Of his country Every attempt 10 restore
the old system uD-democratic. nrcpublcan ana
American. Mr.. Greene READ the IoIioWInB
Mayor Grace: :. .
have received your noto OF this date asking me II
favoro the exemption OF policemen aud renen from the
operaton OF tho Civil Service Acts. In reply / may
say cmphatcally that opposed 10 this ana all otncr
exemptions the civil Service system. believe thN
thus sysfem should receive fair trial, aud while am IN
favor Of making and have endeay ored TO make the eA
aminations sensible practical. and adapted TO the chdr
acier of the Offices be heJ have or doubted tat
IL will approve itself To the Judgment of all good citizens,
when it IL fairly tried No obstacle should now be paced
n its WAY, and shall earnestly oppose, 50 lar as am
able all attempts to destroy It's usefulness
As,elublyman Shrclun made brief argument In IA
yOr of Assembly ymans Erlo's bill cNcmpting soldiers ana
sDilurs from examinations under tho law. Assembly
man Reilly. Of NewYork complained that the ClVl ser
vice examiners OF New York mad not made any reply 10
his resolution requesting Information about their method
examining applicants for positions In the ci'l service
OF New York