Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-29

was called this morning by a STAR reporter TO
published statement TO the effect that Senator
Hale intends to secure q Senatorial Investigation
OF circular issued by that odcer, and claimed Il
be violation OF the civil-Serv1ce law. The cir
cular Is as follows:
(ConndentiaL)
ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPT.
WASHINGTON, d. g., January 4, 1885
TO the commanding Officers OF the national armor
and H Of M the Eni1sd States arssuais use asa at New YORK
West Troy, N. Y, and Philadelphia, Pa, Boston
Mass., Benicia, Cal, &C.:
tended to be converted into political machines
TWO political parties 10 this country are recognized
Il is therefore ordered that hereafter, In employ
grades other things being equal and qualifications
satisfactory, democrats will be favored; the OBJ
ject being 20 divide the force IN the different
cans. This rule VIII apply to women and chill.
dren, as wen as TO men, and win be strictly en-.
Respectfully, your oDedient servant,
Brig..Gen., Chief Of Ordnance, U. S. Army.
TIE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE HxPLAINs.
The general nodded his head as he read the
statement, and remarked: eyes thet circular was
issued by me. once had q conversation with
Secretary Endicott, In which he said that there
had been q great deal OF pressure brought 70 beal
upon him by persons OF influence asking places fol
friends In Ins various II, and
believe that politics should be allowed TO enter
into the administration OF such Affairs. He added
1San pan SSs1' assss some means sGSS
Whenever there were any discharges OF
appointments or promotions 70 be made in the
equally. efficiency being f1rst considered above
any other considerations / said that II he
would allow me ] would.
FIX n FOB HIN.
issued that circular accordingly. OF course 4,
hot ro%
ponderence OF republicans among the employees
since the party was In power 30 long. In many
places this Is SO, but there are others where The
reverse is the case. One letter remember In par
democrats were in the majority. 50 ina;
II any changes had TO be made they woult
be the ones affected The order, how
Sea other places You must understand " thai al
It Is only when every other condition Is equal tina
politics Is TO De counted, and then only when
the eject OF the order, as that s matter entirely
In the hands OF the various Officers. What wan
understood is thai a. Secretary Endicott did not or
ON my own responsibility and that it was inIende(
purely as q strictly civil-service measure"
THERD WAS soks TALK Al TEE CAPITOL TODAY
about the circular. AS usual, the expressions o
opinion were Influenced BY party productions
and outrageous attempt TO make political ma
chine OF every branch CT the service. Senato
Aale is going 70 introduce o resolution In th
Senate calllg for Information on the subject an<
to make thorough Investigation.
Democrats cay tnaI the principle upon whicl
the circular IL based u all right but that tt WA
bad politics aud altogether FOOLISH Tor the 6ecre
tary Of War 70 issue circular on the subject
Some Of them said tt was fOolish attempt
carry out the ctvis-serv1ce reform idea Of o.von
the Ofncers equally between the Two great parttes
They did not think the circular amounted 70 any
thing. One member said tG was the mugWum
idea OF politics. Republicans speak OF te - any
thing but mogwump u character.
n-.-- - NJ. u~ra~A~-Mru uonts