New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-23
JACKSON OTTDONE.

Senator Hale's recent report in behalf Of the
special committee to investigate the condition
of the Civil Service is attacked by the Demo-
cratic newspapers as partisan and unfair 10 the
President. The fact is that the report does not
tell the whole truth. The committee did not
have time to make more than partial investi-
cation The ground it was able to cover, how
ever, was large enough to demonstrate the
truth of all that has been said of the way Mr..
Cleveland has Jacksonized the Civil Service.
Jackson, spokesman as he was, would probably
have had the grace to be ashamed of such
record as Mr.. Cleveland's appointments have
made.
The Investigations of the committee were
confined to the cities Of Newly ork, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Indianapolis. If time
mad permitted an equal proportion OF scandals
could probably have been found in the Gov
eminent offices Of almost every large city in
the country. The discoveries of the committee
in this city are familiar to our readers but
those in other cities are less so. Take, for
example, the Federal offices in Philadelphia.
The inquiry there began in response to
memorial Of 113 discharged letter-cariers.
Within two years and ten months after Mr..
Harrity's appointment as postmaster only 80
Of the 429 employees he found in office re-
NAMED, many of those removed being ex-
Union soldiers. Mr.. Cadwalader, Collector of
the Port of Philadelphia testified that between
August I2, 1885, and March 81, 1888, he had
made ia new appointments, and that the force
is now 236 OF the so ex-soldiers IL only
were retained, and 30 soldiers only were APP
pointed. Mr. Gerker, Collector of Internal
Revenue, testified that out Of 81 employees in
the office when he took charge only remained
But Mr.. Gerker did not discharge men; they
seemed to know when they were to resign by
intuition" Mr.. Fox, Superintendent Of the
United States Mint, who testified that about
three-fourths of those employed in the mint are
skilled soldiers or experts, had appointed up
to the end of March last 1868 employees, the
entire number when he took charge being 364.
The force is now $685. an increase Of III.
It is safe to say that officeholders have never
been more active in politics than they have oeen
in Philadelphia under Mr.. Cleveland. One
witness testified that out of 400 carriers in the
post Office not more than 90 refrained from
active political work. Much of it was done in
aid of the effo of the Administration to
crush Mr.. Randall. Twelve Randall Democrats
were discharged from the post Office in one
day at the time Of electing delegates 20 the
Democratic State Convention last year In one
ward there was an DISCRIMINATING Commit
teen which secured the removals of the AS
carriers in that ward within twenty days. In
another ward 90 post office employees were
working for one Of Mr.. Harrity's candidates.
In the Ward Convention, out of delegates
13, or one-third of the whole number, were
post office employees, and their names have been
published All the officers Of the convention
were post office employees. In four wards of
the city 80 post Office employees took part in
conventions. and - were active at the polls
making total of 81. Dallas Saunders testified
that prominent Federal officials were pres
ent at the meeting Of the Democratic State
Committee, early this year. at which he was
defeated for reelection as chairman. He was
beaten by majority of votes, enough changes
being made during the day to defeat him.
At least two Of the members whose votes were
turned against him were afterward appointed
TO Federal Offices.
There were many other scandals in conncc
tion with the public service in Philadelphia.
Notices were sent out by order Of the brother
in-law of the postmaste to notify all good
Democrats, Of approaching Civil Service ex
aminatfonss and admissions; Of fayoritism In