The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-05-29
THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
Postmaster Veazey and Commission
er Lyman Discuss the Law.

Ciyil-Seryice Commissioner Lyman, who was in
Baltimore last week attending the examinations of
cusom-house applicants, called at the postofce on
with Postmaster veazey charge made in general
way to Mr.. Lyman at the meeting OF the Clyil
Service Reform Association the previous night
The charge was that Mr. Veazey had violated the
civilservice law mainly by obtaining list OF eig-
bles. and making appointments without gong
through the prescribed formulas.
Mr.. Veazey began the discussion by saying that on
the question of changes there was no room Tor
opinion Itwas a matter OF fact, and easily ascer-
tainable from the records whether true or untrue;
As to obtaining copy Of the list of elgibles he had
the express authority of Mr.. Dorman b. Eaton, the
synonym of civil-seryice reform. If any crime had
been committed. it was gratifying to have such ex-
cellent authority While ina. Mas irue was of
applicants before the examination, and those who
passed brought him their notices and their stand
Mr. LymanI''Mr. Eaton was not the commits
sion"
mission and the most experienced, and regarded by
many as the whole commission. regarded MS
sanction as abundant authority"
Mr. Lyman, after examining the books of the local
board said he observed that all on the list of APP
pontments were regularly certified to, and ne SAID
ne could hnd no sacn Us af n
stances of many certihcations in one day.
Mr.. yeazey.-"That is true and perfectly legal.
Mr.. Lyman.-'I concede that 1t is legal, but you
must have had purpose in doing it.
Mr.. Veazey.-"My purpose was, so far as eonsis-
tent with public interest and in conformity with
law to select for appointment none but civilservee
Democrats The result of this is very gratliylng 10
me and annoying to my enemies"
ceived recommendations from persons prominent
in politics for the appointment OF those VINO nau
passed the examination MI veazey Fepaiea tsar
and efficiency of elgibles, and had received recon-
mendations and information from all classes IN
Guiding politicians, merchants. lawyers, doctors,
and even some ofthe most sublime types of civil
service reformers. He had allowed himself 10 give
consideration both to politicians and civil-service
Ha fnupd himself obliged in few in
stances to appoint Republicans to conform 70 the
law, and when they had fairly entered the service
he had promoted them. With these few unfortu-
nate and unavoidable exceptions his selections had
purposely been from the Democratic party. he sald
also that judging from the result OF inc exsm aa :,
was safe to say that under a Republican admins,
tration few Democrats applied for examination and
vice versa. Therefore the appointing power was
seldom called upon to discriminate, except as be-
tween those ofthe Same political faith.
Mr.. Lyman.-"You have apparently maze qui'e
clean sweep"
would permit and the law allow ana II nag a. re
been able to hand over to my successor a CIVIL
service reform Democratic postohce. Most OF me
men removed were standing monuments OF the
spoils system, and were appointed as reward 1or
political services and l should suppose that any
true civlservice reformer would be grained 10 ma
that men entering the service on their own merits
were able to take the places of those VINO were the
results of the machine system in its worst stages
Mr. Veazey called Mr. Lymans attention TO the
fact that the civil service system provided ana Ie
report of the commission pointed with prlde 70 tne
provision that the power of removal should remain
untrammeled The same report claimed as credit
to the system that the appointing power was res,
tricted to four names of the ellglbles YET aioweo
full discretion as to which of the four should be
taken by the appointing power, who was RESPONSE
BILE for his subordinates He did not hesiate 10 say
that If one Democrat and three Republicans Were
presented to him and all were equally qualined
otherwise he would take the Democrat lie ASKED
Mr.. Lyman what section of the law ne hau
violated. .,.,..,o,
of law but" he said lit is quite clear that you and
cannot agree as to the principles OF cVh-ser'ice
reform" -
the greater publicity that is given to that difference
the more gratifying it will be to me- He nad peen
accused of violating the law MI ueazey sa1 lie
made at the Cvl-Service Association, as they were
based on lack of information, but If Mr.. Lyman
after examining the records ana aIei Ine tbe
law the proper place to express that opinion was
before the United States grand jury. II ne had
done so he was liable to fine or imprisonment
Unless ciyilservce reform to be treated as
farce gentlemen occupying high places should pc
very careful how they charged Others with violating
Mr. LYMAN replied that Mr. Veazey had commit
ted no such offense but not endeayoring to car
nv out the purposes for which the law was passed.
The two gentlemen separated on good terms.
Mr. Skinwith Wilmer of the committee on grieve
ances of the CivIl-Servce Reform Assoclatlon says
that body has made no charges against Mr.. Veazey
The matter came up Friday night by Mr.. Francis H.
Cary asking Mr.. Lyman if it was proper for Mr.
Veazey to take the entire list elgibles ana make
his selections from them. Mr.. Lyman had replied
that if Mr. Veazey had done this, 1t was not carrymg
out the law 1t will be remembered that last winter
complaints by civil-serve reformers were made
against Mr. Veazey, both at Washington and before
the Civil Service Association here. Mr.. Veazey re-
piled and the commission at Washington dismissed
the charges On this the association mere LOOK no
further action Mr. Veazey retres from once next
Monday and will be succeeded by FRANK browh'