McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-04-02
cnrrE1AND IND o1r1L SERVICE
Some Speculation as to Ho,c He WiH Manage
Appointments.

Some Speculation as to Ho,c He VIII Manage
appointments.
John M. Gregory, Ii. D., of the civil service
commission, recently talked at length and
freely to st. Paul reporter. Questioned in
regard to the new administration, said he:
l., as we'll as Others Of the civil service COM
mission, believe that President Cleveland
means every word of his civil service utter
.nces. Mr. Cleveland is plain, straightfor-
ward, practical and honest man. For months
before his Inauguration we adjudged him to
be in perfect sympathy with the principles OF
civil service reform, and believe his appoint
ments and his official acts during the few
weeks since March to be in perfect accord
ance with such estimate Of him. Mr.. Cleve-
land has had several years Of experience in the
workings of the reform. AS much as any
other he furthered 1t in New York, and
throughout his gubernatorisl term always lent
to it his official favor. BE knows how sue,
cessful il has proven in New York, and Will
try the same policy In the federal government emf
believe that he has the force OF character
and the inclination to do what he considers
for the best interest of the nation. In regard
to the federal offices, in Minnesota
for instance, 1t is difficult to forecast his pol
icy. Where a man has proven an efficient OIL
Ger, I do not think the president will remove
him. Undoubtedly many offices throughout
the countm have been used as political ma
chimes If he could be led to believe that such
has been the case with any officer here. think
the president would remove him. There are
many seeking after the various positions who
would not hesitate to charge present lacum-
bents with rabid partisanship. How much
effect such charges would have upon the presi-
dents Judgment is impossible to make. That,
/ think, would be the only argument that
would induce him to remove an efficient officer.
The terms of all the officials expire during the
presidents administration. 1t would be In
the strict line of civil service reform to con-
tinue in office those who have proven non-par-
tisan and efficient. MIR. Cleveland is but
human, however, and where either OF two men
could serve the country well and efficiently 1t
is but natural that he should favor the one OF
his own political creed. Not only do not
think that he would appoint man who would
make of his office democratic machine, but
believe he would dismiss any man doing such
a thing. Mr.. Cleveland has said,
"a public office is public trust" AMI
that is the keynote of his pol
lev of appointment. Mr.. Pendleton's APP
po.EtSoent is most worthy one. he sacf'-
form, and his appointment Is graceful and
worthy recognition of his lahors In that be
half. The other appointments thus far made
are in the same tenor. A little act OF the
presidents, few days since, ttly indexes his
character. In looking over the roll OF clerks
in the executive department ne found that lie
could dispense with quite number. lnquir-
ing into their work, he found them capable
and efficient M n, and instead of dischargiIg
them as supernumeraries, he retained them
until places could be found in the other de-
partments They were almost all republicans.
Finding the assistant private secretary TO be
very competent, he was also retained.
think we may safely class President Cleve-
land as a genuine adherent of civil service re-
form. The success OF the work since the Law
went into effect in July, 1888 has surpassed
the most fattering expectations Inc princl-
pies have been carried out to the Letter, the
appointments have been rigorously impartial
aud non-partsan, and the appointes
have been able and efficient: We
have examined 10000 candidates. Of these
over 1000 have been placed in the
service without the slightest regard to their
7 Official views. If an applicant ventures to
hint at his politics, his letter is returned to
him or thrown into the fire. After appoint
ment the candidate is put on probation Tor SIX
months. and the fact that all appointed, Dat
two, have not failed to receive reappolntment
at the end of the term, speaks most creditaoly
for the republican chiefs OF departments, 1or
in that time 1t is very easy to nnu Out mans
nolitics: and the fact that this had no weight
is high compliment to the intention OF the
officials strictly to follow the law. l believe
that in twenty-five years the civil service sys-
tenn will have been extended not only Into
every department of the federal service, ex-
cepting only elective offices and the cabinet,
but throughout every state and large city goy-
Massachusetts, and New York have
already adopted it down to the most insigniti-
,ant positions. Other states must. 1t is the
only way to do away with rings and the Old
spoils system and to guarantee us pure ana
efficient government.