National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-09-23
BLuNDER1Ne OR WORSE.
Ex-CommIssioner Thoman on the DEM
ocratic Campaign Book.

The following letter Will speak Tor ITSELF
YouNGsTowN, ONO, Sept. IA, lSs6.-To
the Hons. ions T.. KESNA, Chairman, &c;
Phil b. THOMPSON, Secretary, &c.-GeH.
Hcmen :: / am in receipt OF the Champaign
Bookn and have examined In part Its con-
tents. IL matters but little what [ may
think or say Of It as a valuable contribution
to the political literature Of the country,
but cannot refrain from calling your at
tention to part Of the publication which
evidence, either surprising ignorance or
willful and malicious misrepresentation
neither OF which Is creditable to you.
In speaking OF the civil service commits
sion, on page 1853, you say "After the
commission was appointed II was const-
tuted purely q partisan commission. AL
three Of the commissioners were Repub.
licans every examiner aud officer under IL
was q Republican, and ninety.nine one
hundredths Of the appointees were Repub
licans. The commission was intended by
the law to be non partisan, but as consti-
tuted by the Republican administration II
became mere political machine for the In
stallment OF Republican partlsans in Office.
AS an example, out OF $50 exam
liners appointed only one was Democrat.
IL would he impossible TO force more
falschood into as few words. II you plead
In exteDuation Of this criticism ignorance,
then you show yourself thoroughly untitled
for the trusted and honorable position you
occupy. The commissioners were not all
Republicans, as you well knew when you
wrote and caused 10 be published that
statement. or the subordinate force
Charles Lyman, chief examiner, was the
only Republican. w. s. Roulhac, the first
secretary, and John I. Doyle, stenographer,
were Democrats. After the death OF w. s.
Roulhac, in June, 1884, Il. ID. Graham was
appointed secretary, and he Is Democrat.
In July, 1884, one clerk Of class was given
the commission, aud Charles +. Adams was
appointed, and he is Democrat. The
subordinates were not selected ON account
Of their political affiliations, but with ref
ereDce to their special fitness for the work
before them. AS to the political complex
branches Of the public service coming
under the. PROVISION of the
civil service law Il know
nothing, but do know that Democratic
senators, members Of Congress, influential
politicians, and leading Democratic news
papers, without any information as TO the
methods OF conducting examinations,
marking and grading papers, making certif-
icatlons, maintaining the appointment, &C.,
called upon the Democratic youth Of the
country not to attend the examinations.
/ do know that the most willful msrepre
sentation was made by these same men and
newspapers as to the work done by the
commission, and II would not surprise me
TO know that in the first eighteen months of
the work under the Pendleton law moro
than 40 per cent. OF those examined for
positions In the civil service were Repub-
iicans. / do know that during the thirty
two months In which was member OF the
commission no political test was required,
and no complaint was ever made of an at
tempt to discriminate by appointing officers
on account OF politics until after the 4th Of
March, 1885. And It is not, 10 my judg-
ment, creditable to those Democrats who
applauded the attempted violations of law.
On page 10 you speak OF the party zeal
shown by the commissioners In examining
and certifying those examined for the pen
sion service, &c. You show yourself Just
as ignorant OF the fact In this particular a.
in the matter above set forth. The mora
than 500 papers from the several examine
lions held throughout the Union were all
marked at the rooms Of the commission by
competent examiners selected for the pur
pose, after which the certlicatlons wer
made, and nearly all of this work was done
and performed under my sole direction and
| supervision, as l was the only commissions
| in Washington during the month Of August,
| 1884.
II there were no Democrats on the certif-
cation 1t was not the fault Of the system nor
| OF the commission; and II, as you say, there
whole number (l50) the blame does not
attach to the commission, as 1t has no power
Of appointment.
On page 154 you wish to be understood as
heartily indorslng the efforts Of the Presi-
| dent to successfully establish an honest ad-
ministrative reform. Hope you are sincere
| The conduct OF leading Democrats In both
branches Of Congress and the declarations
OF Democratic conventions and leading rep
rcsentatives Of the party give no assur.
ance Of any advanced thought on the Ques
ton Of civil service reform.
The enactment Of the Pendleton law ant
the honest and successful prosecution of thu
work under 1t made 1t possible to elect
| Grover Cleveland President. His public
Of his good faith. shown by his works
brought the victory. The meaningless plank
in the Chicago platform had nothing to dc
| with 1t. The policy which seems to have
been adopted by you, as we'll as q number
| Of the Democratic conventions which have
been held, to damn the President with faint
praise, may please the so-called leaders. hui
1t does not the tens OF thousands OF earnes
| Democrats who are not spoilsmen, but who
believe in keeping apace with the living and
great questions OF the day.
Civil service reform will be In 1888, as 1
was In 1884, one Of the questions on which
the contest will be waged. If the Presden
had the earnest support Of the leaders o
the Democratic party he could place 1t Il
an impregnable position. But, unfortun
ately, he Is hampered with the persisten
and too frequently successful usurpation o
his prerogative by senators and member
of Congress making appointments o
persons to the public service. The Presi
dents action Of naming the persons deslg
mated by them is merely a perfunctory duty
II President Cleveland will re.establis
and maintain the line Of demarkation be
tween the legislative and executiv
branches OF the government he will hav
done such service for the people that will
Justly entitle him TO their further confidenc
and will make for himself u name as i'm
perishable as monumental marble. an
very truly yours, LEROY ID. TuoMAS.