The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-06
And It Is Possible There May Be Further
Extension of the Time at Which the New
Ciyil-Seryice Rules Go Into Effect.
Commissioner Tanners Plans for Reor-
ganizing the Pension Bureau Force.
Proclamation Concerning the Washington Gen.
tennial-TheP President AbandOns His Pro-
posed Cruise Down the Potomac.


The Ciyil-Service Rules VIII Not Be Allowed
to Interfere with Its Reorganization.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON April Sit is not the in
tention of the department, in reorganiz-
ing the railway mail service. to have any
especial respect to the time-May 1-when
the civil-service law shall take effect"
said General Superintendent Bell this
afternoon. I'VE intend to continue to
make changes right along, with view to
improving the service after the first of
May. The idea is to give the people
prompt and reliable mail, irrespective of
party interests. Certainly Republicans
will be favored, but efficient postal
clerks will not be turned out
simply because they are Democrats.
Republicans who were turned out
of the service at the beginning of the last
administration and during the past two or
three years. on the ground of offensive part
isanship. who are more capable than Demo-
Gratis now in the service, will be reinssated
wherever advantage can be gained"
will the age of Republicans who were
turned out operate against their reinstate-
ment?"
"Yes, if they are old men. We will not
want men over forty-five or fifty years of
age, even though they were formerly in the
service and are physically able to do
their work, unless there are special reasons
why they should be reinstated. For
instance, a soldier who is able-bodied and
capable. and is fifty years old, will have
claims for reinstatement, even though his
age is weighed against him.
Outside the room of the general superin-
tendent of the railway mail service, and in
the corridors fronting the rooms of the
Postmaster-general and First Assistant
Clarkson, are constantly congregated, be-
tween and O'clock, every day, a num-
Der of Senators, Representatives and gen.
eral politicians from all parts of the coun-
try, who make the air resound with their
clatter and fill it with the sound
experiences In seeking or gaining favor.
One of them said to your correspondents
that it was probable there would be another
extension of the time when the ciyil-service
law shall take effect in the railway mail
service; that it was the purpose of the de-
partment to thoroughly. reorganize this
service as rapidly as possible, remembering
the example set by the Democrats of turn
ing Republicans out, and that if it was not
all done by the 1st of May more time
would be given before the civil
service law went into effect. Repre-
sentative Owen. of Indiana, told how
First Assistant Postmaster-g general Clark
son is welding the guillotine. He is fol-
lowing the example of General Stevenson"
said he, land is chopping the heads off
with celebrity. / went in the other day
with long list of Republican names L
want favored and asked that as many
Democrats be turned out. Mr. Clarkson
took my paper and, after running over it
hastily, said that new rule had been estab-
lished by which men in Congress would be
required to set down opposite each name
and postoffice whore changes are desired
the amount of salary the positions pay.
replied that if nothing more was required
/ could soon comply, and stepping outside
picked up blue book, and within ten min
utes filled in the twenty or thirty places
| where the amount of salary was required.
Then / went back to Mr.. Clarkscn. and he
took blue pencil and wrote across the
back of each one appointed. This is the
way the thing goes from morning TO night,
every day, except Sunday. The clerks I'LL
| ing out the commissions and looking up the
bonds are being overworked."
The corridors of the second floor of the
| Postoffice Department present scene every
| day which resembles that about a national
| convention hall. There is no place in town
| where so much life is shown. and in no
| branch of the government is the change Of
| administration so keenly felt as there.