The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-18
P0ST0FFlCE POLITICS.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RE-
PORTS on IT.
\ very Severe Handling of w. Paul -
~ ~ Alleged fhat lie Acted I'm u
Ketoiftng ana Iuderhand
Name. shid,'s conduct.

Name. -shtds's Conduct
WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July 1.-THE
J Civil Service Commission to-day made
public the report which they bave been
preparing for some time of the investi-
CATION made by them into the operation
Of the Civil Service law in Milwaukee.
a report on the Milwaukee post Office
was made sometime ago. /. was brief.
and the Commission says they were
influenced in making 1t by the false
statement OF the postmaster to the
effect that his term Of Office had ex-
pircd. The reports made public to-day
says the examination of the p0stofiice
was made by the entire Commission
and conclusions reached were agreed TO
unanimously. The recently published
statement OF the Milwaukee postmaster
70 the effect that he was not given a
hearing is cOndemred bv the COmmis-
sion as a gross misstatement:
That there has been crooked work
in the office says the report. lis ad-
mitted by all. 1t can be shown by a
brief examination Of the analytical
statement compiled from the certifiea.
ton book. and Of pencil memoranda
from which the certifications we're ac-
tually made. The only question is
where the responsibility lies.
The Commission examined the secre-
tary of the board at Milwaukee. Ham
ilt0n Shidy, and Chairman j b john
son. Shidy did all the work of the
board. lie testified that he was com
PEELED by the postmaster 10 give the
latter free access 10 the list of eligiblos.
and that he forced him lShidyl to alter
the books 50 as to produce a carutca-
tion bearing the name OF the app0ntee
chosen by him. J0hus0n's testimony.
though hearsay. confirmed that of
Shidy. The postmaster denied these
statements. Johnson. the report says.
evidently hoped 10 escape possibility
by making inquiries as TO the truth Of
Shidy' statements TO him.
The Commission holds. however. that
Shidy and Johnson are equally 10 blame.
Ii. however. the statement Of Shidy TO
the effect that he was forced TO accede
to the postmaster S demands for fear of
losing his means Of subsistence Is true.
am infinitely heavier load of blame rests
on the postmaster.
The postmaster, Mr. Paul. the report
says. admitted that IN one case he had
expressed great dissatisfaction with the
marking OF an apphcaut's papers. and
that in consequence 1t had been changed.
Shidy stated that he was forced 10
make this change to make room for an
other applicant whom the postmaster
desired to appoint.
When. in July. 1886. the Commission
issued circular prohibiting the post
master having copies of. or knowledge
of the list of eligibles. Shidy promptly
called the attention of the postmaster
thereto. and received for reply. You
can't prevent my keeping copies Of
list. The report characlerizes as eX-
traOrdinary the admission Of Mr.. Paul
that hc frequently picked out higher
grade eligible for low grade position,
especially If there vas au absence Ou
the list certified TO me of proper par
ties.
This admission. the report says. is
tantsmount to saying that the post
master illegally declined 10 take any
man from given certiiicatIOn unless
be choose 10 DO 80. The report lu-
stances as fair test of d" Air. Paul Is
marvellously treacher0u5 memory.
his testimony on this point, in which
he contradicted himself three times.
The admissions made by Mr. Paul. re-
port favs. narrow the investigation 10
question whether Mr. Paul acted Ille-
gally and improperly in all instances
on only I'D some. In one case of gerry
Wandering. in which a certain carrier
was brought forward for promotion 10
the displacement of others of better
average, the report says.
The carrier named keavcneyl.
selected from the second ccrtilica.ion
for s,ampar on February l5. isso. had
actually been appointed stamper on
December =. 1885,. two ami oue-third
months before. and bad been promoted
TO be carrier February !. 1883. I'm other
words. MIR. Paul selected a mar whom
he desired ont of the carrier list.
passing over carriers of higher average.
appointed him as slamper and tEen
promoted him 90 be carrier, without
even waiting for the stuffed certiti-
cation. for which he was nOminaily
appointed. a more outrageous piece
of official misconduct it would be hard
10 imagine. IL is. however. 30 far fr m
being unique. that IL is simply a sam-
ple Of the misdeeds shown in exhibit
4. the analytical statement compiled
from the ceruhcati0n book and other
records.
After giving other instances. the re-
saI L.. Ia Ia I.fI "a
show beyond possibility of dispute.
that the list of eligibles were twisted
and garbled IN almost every cOncelva-
bic manner. in order TO produce swim
ding certifcdti0ns whereby certain
men could be- rejected, although enu-
tied to appointment. and other men ap-
pointed. although having 40 rightiul
claim 20 the chance. For Mr. Paul 10
plead innocence Is equivalent to imbe-
cility.
Mr. Paul alone benefited by the
crookcdness of the certiiicatI0ns. for ho
alone had the appointing power.
there could be 10 possible object in
Shidv's conduct, unless II was for fear
Of thwarting the wishes of his superior
officers. The conclusion is irresistible
that Mr.. Paul Is responsible for the
wrong doing. He has grossly and ha-
bitually violated the law, and has done
itina peculiarly revolving and under
hand manner. His conduct merits the
severest punishment: his further con-
tinuance IN the office would be great
misfortune, and Sc recommend his I'M
mediate removal
KS for Shidy. the Commission thinks
he was guilty of grave misconduct IN
permitting the board to become the
tool OF Mr. Paul. but what be did. be
did under fear of losing his place If he
rebelled.
In conclusion. the Commission say
the whole history of the case emphasizes
IN the most striking manner the urgert
need of having at least some mem
bers of every local board entirely
removed from the influence or dicia-
ton OF the appointing officer. ProVis-
ion should be made so at least some sal
aried member could be added TO every
local board from outside sources. So
that il should contain members removed