The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-03-26
Washington whispers,

WASHINGTON, March 25.-The e1ecu-
tive session of the Senate was very
short one. The cases of {, number of
postmasters whose predecessors were
suspended, were reported favorably. 1t
was stated that they were cases of men
against whom no charges have been re-
ceived from any source, and in respect
to the majority of whom the sus-
pended officials have recommended.
confirmation. This is in compliance with
an informal understanding the post
office committee made some days ago
with regard to such cases. An adverse
report was made in the case OF an Iowa
postmaster and was ordered to be
printed, in confidence, for the use of the
Senate committe. Accompanying the
report was q letter from the NOM
inee, who charges that the Re-
publican incumbent had been pub
fishing newspapers in German and
another in English and thereby doing
much good for the Republican party.
He(tha present nominee) says that if he
could have the Office, he too, could pub
lish newspaper or two for the benefit
of the Democratic party, and
that he was willing to devote
the emcluments of the Office to
this purpose. Slips from the writer's
paper, in support OF the Democratic
party, are quoted. The committee also
refers to the circular of the Postmaster
General and the utterances of the Presi-
dent with regard to the exercise OF par
tisan influence by office-holders. The
committee says it reports the case ad-
versely in order TO aid the ad
MS CT in
policy. The case of the internal
revenue collector for the District of
Vermont was reported favorably. A
written report was made, declaring,
in substance, that the committee had
heard from the Secretary of the Trea-
sury, in response to It's inquiry, that
there were no charges against the out
going official, and that he was removed
for political reasons alone.
The President sent to Congress to-
day, the third annual report of the
Civil Service Commission, together with
the following message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 25.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tiUes-I transmit, herewith. the report
of the Civil Service Commission for the
year ended the 10th day of January
last. The exhibit thus made OF the
operations of the commission and the
accounts thus presented as the re-
suits of following the execution of
the civil service law cannot
tail to demonstrate its usefulness
and strengthen the conviction that this
scheme for reform in the methods of
administering the government is no
| longer an experiment..
l. i, a
foothold, 1t he's steadily advanced in
the esteem of those charged with public
administrative duties, while the people
who desire good government have
constantly been confirmed in their
high estimate of its value and efficiency.
With the benefits it has already secured
to the public service, plainly apparent,
and with its promise of increased use
fulness, easily appreciated, this cause is
commended to the liberal care and
jealous protection of the Congress.
(Signed,) GRovER CLEVELAND.
The report says that applicants have
been examined within the year from
every State of the Union and from
every Territory, except Utah. The
whole number of persons examined un
der the commission during the
year, has been 1902, of whom
6,s72 were males and 73e were
females. About 1000 Republicans and
about 1000 Democrats have secured
places in the public service under the
civil service act. The report states
many particulars of the evils that were
removed. and how far they have been
remedied under the new system.
based on free, open competition of
merit. Political assessments have been
in considerable measure suppressed.
Solicitation and pressure for appoint
ments have been greatly limited, and
members of Congress have been re-
lieved from much annoyance. Those
administering the government have
had their time much less taxed by
office-seekers than formerly, and have
consequently had much more time for
doing public work. The ability to dictate
appointments and enforce assessments,
which has been the strength and profit
of partisan manipulators and dema-
gogues, has. the report says. been
diminished in the same degree that
faithful study in schools and good
character and reputation in private
life have been encouraged and reward
ed. The report concluded with the
statement that the commission has had
at all times the cordial support of the
President and his Cabinet.
The President has nominated Mark
n Baldwin Of 0hio agent for the