Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-16
Civil Service Reform,

WHAT IS SAID OF Mr.. CoX'S BILL FOR UNI
FORM CLASSIFICATION OF GOVERNMENT EN-
PLOYES.
Mr. Cox's civil service bill, the provisions of
which were given in THE STAR yesterday, is
looked upon as very important measure, and,
tits believed, will not provoke much antaSon-
ism. 1t aims directly at the reform of the inter-
nal workings of the civil service, and is not in
tended to antagonize in any way the Pendleton
civil service reform. The provisions of the bill
were explained to the President by Mr.. Cox. it
is said, and received his hearty approval.
There have been several measures referred to
the House civil service committee, many ask
ing for repeal of the present law, some having
in view the examination of the old clerks, and
one to extend the operation of the law very
considerably. The committee acted adversely
upon the bills to repeal, and will take no action
on any of the others, as it is impossible to know
just what is needed to improve the service.
just what the defects in the service and Sc
cure some recommendation, based on careful
inquiry, for tn, their correction: One of the chief
committee is that the salary classification does
not always conform with the classification of
work, men doing lower grade work often get
ting the higher pay, while some lower grade
clerk does their work. Another thing is the
matter of substitutes. The commission is au-
thOriZed by the bill to make the classification
in all the departments alike, so that shortage in
the force in one department may be supplied
from another where there are more clerks than
needed. The clerks are to be interchangeable
in their several classes.
From q political point of view the measure is
looked upon as happy hit. as it will enable
the party, If 1t is passed, to 60 before their dis
satisfied constituents with the assurance that
that they are looking into the matter with q
view to taking such action as is necessary.
This will bridge over the fall elections without
giving offense to anybody, leaving all action
until next winter, after they shall have had an
opportunity to test the "will ofthe people,"
-<O<
Mr.. Blaine and the EdmundS Report.
WHAT SENATOR FRYE SAYS OF MIR. MANLY'S
ALLEGED STATEMENTS.
A special Washington dispatch to the New
York Sun of to-day states that Mr.. Blaine is
using his influence to defeat the purpose OF the
Edmunds report and the adoption Of the reso-
luton binding the Senate to reject nominations
about which papers are refused. This dis
patch purports to be based upon statements
made by Mr.. Joseph Manly, of Maine, who is
now in Washington, and who is said to have
Mr.. Blaine's confidence and to represent him.
According to these alleged statements, Mr..
Blaine sustains the attitude of the President
and holds that the Senate is wrong.
A STAR reporter showed the special to Sen.
atOr Frye and asked If he knew anything about
the matter. After reading it he said: II have
not seen Mr. Manly since his visit to Washing
ton, and therefore am not informed as to what
he may or may not have said. l do not pre-
sumo, however, that Mr.. Blaine has been inter-
esting himself In the Senate debate or cOnfiding
plans in the matter to anybody"