The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-21
THE CIVIL SERVICE.

Unjustifiable Complaints Against the Oper-
ations Of the System.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May, 20.-Secretary Manning
was asked to-day why Dr. Green chief Of
division Of the Second Comptroller's Office was
removed. Secretary Manning grinned all over
when he answered, "Offensive partisanship"
The belief is growing daily that the spirit of the
civil-service act is to be violated, and that at
least 95 per cent of those outside the protection
of the law will be removed, and that the untried
charge of offensive partisanship will be the as
signed cause.
DR.. Gregory, Of the vilservice Commission,
was asked to-day: 'Is the ciyil-service law
generally obeyed9"
1T is, as far as it comes under the
jurisdiction of the Civil-service Commission
was the answer. 'It must be remembered that
the rules of the commission extend only to the
clerical places in the departments, and the large
postofdces and customs districts-about 800
places in ALL The law forbids certain partisan
procedures throughout the entire service, and
the spirit of the law and of the reform is against
all partisan removals and appointments in any
part Of the service. But over the places outside
Of the clerical service the commission has no
control"
"Have there been no complaints of violation
of the rules in appointments in the depart
ments?"
eyes. The complaints have been loud and
frequent from the outset. People often come to
US and claim to know Of appointments made in
open violation of the rules. Commonly. how
ever, they refuse to give any names or any clew
by which the cases can be followed. Sometimes
however. the complaints are made in good faith
and by intelligent persons, and in all such cases
a prompt investigation has been made by the
commission, and in every case thus far the
charge has proved false. Two or three appoint
ments have been made by a misunderstanding
of the requirements, but these were promptly
recalled by the appointing officer when his
attention was called to the irregularity. The
commission has good reason to believe that no
intentional violation of the rules has occurred
"Are the applications for examination largely
in excess of the demands"
'Yes; in most Of the Atlantic seaboard States
and in some of the Western States" said DR..
Gregory. ''This has led the commission to dis
continue the examination of applicants from
several States whose registers are already over
crowded with the names of persons examined
and found eligible, and to continue to examine
in such cases would only serve to create false
hopes and overwork the board of ex-
aminers. The worst result Of the
overcrowding of the registers, continued DR..
Gregory, lis the discomfort of disappointed ap-
plicants and their friends. Many bitter COM
plants reach the commission from those who
seem to think that to pass an examination enti-
ties them to an appointment, and who cry out
bitterly against the civil-service rules. as if a
great wrong had been done them. The simple
truth is that the names graded highest are al
ways certified and they are appointed. Those
whose grade is low have no right to expect ap-
pointment while better applicants stand above
thomu