The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-11
HALESPARTY CLAP-TRAP
CLEVELAND'S CIVIL SERVICE
RECORD ATTACKED.

RECORD ATTAChED.
The Report That of the Senate's Special
Committee - Partisan Changes AL
legged - Participation in Political
Matters by Federal Officials Charged
he Old Cry of Political Assess
ments.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10.-In the Senate to
day Mr.. Hale presented the report of the
select committee on the operation of the
civil service law, and said that the minority
report would be presented hereafter. The
report was ordered printed.
The report makes printed document Of
fifty pages. 1t discusses deliberately the
testimony taken in New York, Pennsylva-
MIA and elsewhere, and concludes with the
following general summary:
The Investigations made by the committee
and the facts therein brought forth establish
these things beyond controversy.
!. That partisan changes have been made in
federal officers in wholesale way under
pretense that the good Of the pubic service de
manded such changes. in the most marked
Instances. as in Philadelphia, Baltimore. Indian
apols and New York. these changes have been
followed by scandals in the public service, which
has been rendered less efficient by reason of the
changes.
OFFENSIVE PARTIsANsHIP.
.. That federal officials throughout the coun-
try, contrary to the directions Of the President,
as found in his letter Of July II, lSsS, have
freely and openly participated in political con
ventions and primary election movements,
using their official influence. In Pennsylvania
the entire machinery OF the federal service was
put in operation for the purpose of
controlling the democratic organization in
the state liz the interest OF the administration
frce, as against the friends of Hon. Samuel J.
Randall. State conventions dominated
and controlled by federal officials, ana the
craftsmanship of the state committee
secured by offices bestowed by the administra-
ton upon members of the committee. who
changed their allegiance from Nlr. Randall TO
the President. In case does the committee
find that any federal officer has been disciplined
for such interference in politics. but on the
other hand such interference has been re-
peatedly recognized and rewarded.
OFFENSIVE TO THE PEOPLE.
This interference In some cases, notably at
Binghamton, N y. was most offensive to the
people, and amounted to a conspiracy TO thwart
and defeat the popular will. The system of
levying tolls and assessments upon federal Of
fceholders for political purposes has continued
without interruption since the administration
came into place.
The committee is persuaded that at present
throughout the country offceholders are being
generally assessed upon, and called upon TO
contribute from their salary TO swell the cam
paign funds of the Democratic party. While
these assessments, so generally made and re-
sponded TO, are in violation of the repeated dec
larations of the President, and of the funda-
mental principles of civil service re-
form, the committee hardly feel war
ranted in severely animadverting upon
the conduct Of these subordnates for violating
the policy announced by the President, In view
of the fact that that policy has been departed
from and grossly violated by the President and
members of his cabinet in their alleged and I'M
contradicted subscriptions of large sums to the
democratic national committee.
SHAKES THEIR FAITH.
1t is not to be expected that subordinates will
feel justified in considering sincere the decla-
rations of party which have been palpably re-
pudiated by their author, and the fact
that the President of the United States
In campaign in which he has great
personal interest, contributes VIGOROUSLY one
fifth Of his years salary for political purposes
is fairly to be taken by those who depend upon
him for tenure OF office as not simply an invita-
ton, but a command to do likewise. While
perhaps not strictly function of this com
mItee. it may not be improper for it to com
mend to the consideration of the legal adviser
of the President the inquiry whether such sub
scriptions, as made, were not in direct violation
OF the following provisions of the law. The
provisions of the law are here cited) All these
things are contrary to pledges repeatedly made
by the President both before his ele ction and
since in his letters and messages and well au-
fhenticated interviews.
QUOTING THE PRESIDENT
The report here makes quotations from
the first letter of acceptance of President
Cleveland; from his letter of Dec. %, 1884,
10 george w Lllldm CurUlS, from MS lnau-
gural address; from his first annual mes
sage, and from his letters OF Sept. II, 1885,
to Civil Service Commissioner Eaton,
condemnatory of the spoils system
and enunciating the Presidents
views on civil service reform.
j says the Investigations made by the com
nittee show a condition of affairs as dia-
nletrically opposed TO what the President
has promised, as it would be possible to
Imagine. To show chow these promises
have been kept" the committee quotes the
concluding paragraphs of the report of the
Civil Service Reform Association of In
diana, composed largely of gentlemen who
supported the President in 1884" comment
ing on which the committee says:
The committee has appreciated the condition
Of mind in which these gentlemen of Indiana
must have been when confronted with the facts
brought out by their investigation many of
which have been also established before this
committee.