Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-05


WASHINGTON, October 4.-Some time
ago the Washington Post charged that the
civil service law was being violated by the
Civil Service Commission. It charged
that the Commissioners, while requir-
ing all department clerks to be
appointed after examination and certifica-
ton by the commission, nevertheless ap-
pointed the clerks to tine commission with
out requiring them to pass an examination
and alleged favoritism in their appointment.
Subsequently it made more serious
charge, viz, that examination papers were
being stolen and sold by clerk in the COM
mission, who had been retained in Office and
promoted notwithstanding his guilt had
been discovered. Tomorrow the Post will
print four column article in substantia-
tion Of this latter and more serious allega-
ton.
PLAIN CHARGE.
twill say that lady who went to
teacher in this city for instructions prepar-
story to taking the examination was
furnished by the teacher, for a consider
alton, with copy of questions subsequently
asked. These questions, it SAYS, were in
the handwriting of Mr.. Campbell, one Of
in-law of Commissioner Lyman.
The matter was brought by Commissioner
Oberly to Mr.. Lyman's attention, and the
published account says that next morning
Commissioner Lyman told Oberly that his
Oyman's) wife was perfectly overcome,
that public exposure would kill her and
that Campbell was as penitent as he could
be.
The matter was then hushed up, although
called to President Cleveland's attention,
and Campbell was subsequently promoted
at a time when Mr.. Lyman was the sole
commissioner. A long interview with
former officer OF the commission. now
holding another Government Office, is
printed in support Of the charges made.
The following corroborating letter Is also
published for the first time:
A LETTER TO HARRISON.
WILLARD's HOTEL,
WASHINGTON. April "A, 1889.
Referring to my note to you of April 20, and
to your request, through Secretary Halford,
that should send to you in writing the in
formation referred, now do so, stating was
put in possession of it only on the evening be-
fore my note was written.
The case is this, and it shows that watchful-
ness is a necessity to exact justice in all civil
service matters, and that where wrong doing is
brought to light it should not be condoned by
retention in Office. Mr.. Campbell, clerk in
the commission, and a brother-in-law to
Commissioner Lyman, several months ago
when Mr.. Oberly and Mr.. Lyman were
both members of the commission,
copied a set of examination papers prepared
for an examination and gave them to friend,i
Mrs. Blank. who sold them for SIS to a Mr..
Flynn, the principal Of the ivy Insti-
tute in this city. The paper came into the
possession OF q Miss Blank, who went to the
commission to ascertain If they were the ques-
tions to be used at the examination. Investi-
handwriting of Mr.. Campbell, but the result of
the Investigation was his
RETENTION IN OFFICE
by Commissioners Oberly and Lyman because
disclosures would have an injurious effect upon
his sister, Mrs. Lyman. Mr.. Campbell has
since and recently been appointed by Commis-
sioner Lyman sole Commissioner, from ST. 100 to
81, 200 salary. There are matters connected with
the office of Chief Examiner which
would not bear close examination
and to such an extent are they known that the
integrity of examinations is questioned. There
is altogether too much left to the discretion Of
the commission for thorough regulations
which the commission itself has power to
make, and by simple orders and varying opin-
ions almost any desired result can be secured.
do not give you this information for the
purpose Of inviting any action upon it. but that
you may be advised that there are ways OF
It is well for the President to
understand. Very respectfully,