The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-08-28

there must be no errors In the work, for II
the Secretary or the President were misled
by any oversight, error or carelessness Of
the clerk, he would soon be on the outside,
seeking employment elsewhere. When an
appointment is finally made nomination
must be prepared to send to the Senate for
confirmation Of the Presidents selection;
commission must be prepared for the sig
nature Of the President and to be counter
signed by the Secretary, and there must be
letter-press copies, record copies and q
posting Of facts concerning the appoint
ment in the proper records Of the office.
When vacancy exists in the classified
civ service arequisition Is made upon the
Civil-Service Commission for the names OF
four persons from whom to select clerk.
Having had experience as q Government Of
fetal myself, this method Of selecting en-
ployes for the department has always met
with my disapprobation for the reason that
it implies dishonesty, incompetency or cor
ruption on the part of the Cabinet officials
They ought not to be obliged to ask Civil
Service Commission or any other commits
sion whom to appoint to do clerical work
any more than managing editor Of a paper
ought to be obliged to ask the mayor of his
town to dictate who shall write editorials
for him. But the Civil-Service law struck
long felt want in the reform part of the
hearts Of our people, and it must run its
course, just as other false isms have done.
Chief clerkships are outside Of the pale OF
the Civil Service law, and it requires q
great deal of care to handle the papers
which are on file for their appointment.
Usually there are from two to fifty appli-
cants for the same place, and the appoint
ment office must do the sitting and thinking
for the Secretary and place all facts sue
cinctly before him, so that he may select the
right man tDr the position.
The chief Of the appointment division
is always partisan, Colonel Tim
Byrnes is by no means an exception. His
predecessor, Perry Smith, was q dyed-in.
the-wool Democrat, and he had been pre-
ceded by the celebrated Eugene Higgins
Mr.. Higgins used to go along the corridors
smiling self-complacently, ari whenever
he'd meet q Republican clerk he would run
his fingers across his throat and say
"Zipp' meaning that the guillotne was In
working order. Before Higgins time
there was an appointment clerk named
Lamphere, who is now Minnesota editor
He was terror to Democrats, and there
was never more thoroughly partisan
headsman in the department than he
Colonel Byrnes was chairman Of the young
mems Republican league in Minnesota
during the last Presidential campaign, ard
devoted his entire time to party work
| Although an ardent partisan, he Is 81
much of gentleman that he cherishes nj
enmity towards those who differ with hin
politically, and all who meet with him re
ceive clever and courteous treatment. HI
has become quite popular in Washington
especially with the newspaper men. H.
knows an item of news, and seems to taxi
pleasure in giving for publication such In
formation as is proper to announce. He i
a young man, not more than twenty -eigh
years of age, judging from his appearance
and many sigh OF regret has been heave'
when the ladies have been informed tina
he is already taken and tightly bound Il
the bonds Of wedlock. SMITH D. FRY.