The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-26


| true?
- Immediately the good old father began to
Let me explain" but the vigorous little
roosevelt, smiling very philosophically, begged
| direct answer to his interrogatory, and sue
| ceeded without much more ado in receiving
/ an unwilling "Yes. sir" for an answer. At
once HE SENTINEL rose above par In the
nands CT the commission, reporters and depu-
| ties was seen THE SENTINEL carefully folded
SO as to expose the headline
| SOME VALUABLE POINTERS FOR THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSIONERS.
| Again Mr.. Roosevelt asked:
Was he, Mr.. Wallace, dismissed from the
service for cause?"
Mr.. Thompson, who had been CALLING to
strike blow for his master, quickly suggested
tnat there was no record to show the cause of
his dismissal.
Then, specifically, was there no record to
| show the cause of his disrnissal"
None whatever" returned Mr.. Wallace.
~, But you know. of course" said Roosevelt,
That Moore had been dismissed for scandal?"
| mo, sir"
DID you try to ascertain if he had been dis
| missed for cause?'
Yes, sir, heard he was well fitted for the
work, and, though there were some charges
| circulated against him / thought he had been
the victim oil scheme and SO reinstated him."
linen, Mr.. Lyman. this man has no right 70
pe retained" said Mr.. Roosevelt, addressing
the president of the commission.
=, but impertinentiy suggested the deputy,
are you going to allow mans reputation TO
oe assaulted and give him no opportunity to
Vindicate himself? Are you going 70 convict
man on newspaper reports and on the word OF
an irresponsible persons
Mr. Aqullla Jones Is not an irresponsible
person, sir, sternly interposed Mr.. Roosevelt.
1t IS not matter Of reputation here, sir; ii is
question whether or not this man was dis
missed for cause"
Nh. Lyman-"Was Moore convicted?"
Mr.. Walace-"Yes. sir"
Mr.. Lyman-''Then, sir, Moore's reinstate-
ment was null and void"
Mr.. RoOsevelt-"This is an affirmative propo-
sltion. 1t is not sufficient for the postmaster
not TO think the charges were sufficient. He
must known that the charges were utterly
groundless, then reinstatement may be made;
then only through the proper channel. The
burden OF proof is upon the postmaster. Then,
Dir. President, is il not a fact that Moore is not
now an employee OF this offce?'
Mr.. Lyman-"That is true"
Dir. Wallace-'I think Moore is not an
habitual gambler. | think he felt as if he were
continually bounded down, and 70 escape this
he went TO Mr. Jones aud rendered his reSigna-
ton. 1t Is true he was playing a 8 cent game
or poker Il guess ii was poker never played
game In my lifeh but was not given to gamb-
ling as habit. got these facts from Mr..
Elliott"
Mr. Roosevelt-"He is a cousin of Moore's,
isn't he? Did you inquire of Mr.. Jones regard
ing the dismissal of Moore?"
Mr.. Wallace-'1 did not. / inquired of Mr..
Wlldman, who was formerly postmaster and
he very highly recommended him as to his
qualifications, and could not now tell where
could get his superior"
Mr.. RoOsevelt-"Is not Mr.. Wildman his I'M
cle2"
Mr.. Wallace have learned since that he
is"
1t was suggested that Mr. Jones be sent for.
and while the message was being conveyed TO
him Mr.. Roosevelt was asked by Deputy
Thompson if postmaster had the authority to
Inquire concerning the character of an appl-
can't
Most certainly. It is his duty"
Deputy Ihompson-"Ihe facts in Moores
case are these, and I can prove them: He had
room near the building here, and invited
some friends to his room to have a social game
of cards with him. He was watched by some
policemen. In the midst of the game the POI
licemen came forward and arrested them. The
mayor is willing to testify 10 this"
Then bring the mayor in" said Mr.. RooSe-
welt.
Mayor Denny was called by telephone shortly
after II o'clock, but did not appear to speak
for Moore until o'clock in the afternoon, long
after the commission had reached a conclusion
in the case.
The matters on hand were pretty clearly dis
posed of TO the satisfaction of the commission,
when THE SENTINEL column was again called
into play, this time in the discussion OF the
names OF TOusey aud Wheat.
Mr.. ROosevelt-"Mr. Wallace, do You have
two men-William Tousey and James Wheat
lreading from The SENTINEL i'm your serv-
ice?"
Mr.. WalIace-''Yes, sir"
Mr.. Roosevelt-"How long has Tousey been
in your emplOy%
Mr.. Wallace -" About six weeks. He is
foro
Yes" said Deputy Thompson, breaking in,
The is not in the employ of the postoffce at
all. He is paid by the invalid for whom lac is
at work"
Gov. Thompson-"But he is under oath, is
he not?"
Deputy Thompson-"Yes. sir"
Gov: Thompson - "Who administered the
oathg'
Mr.. Wallace-"Tousey is almost necessary
factor at present-he is so fitted"
Mr.. Roosevet-"There is no provision for
employing men in the manner in which you
have received TouSey and Wheat 1t was a
fragrant violation Of the civil service law"
Deputy Thompson-"Why, 1 can't see how 1t
was violation OF the law when the good of the
service demanded it."
Mr.. Roosevelt-"Then request you to read
and study the law at once. Il is your duty 10
fully understand 1t The employment of
Wheat and Tousey was illegal and their con-
nection with the service must cease at once.
Iutg nave nSfOA UGH ASSoAAJ ConnSCtcu Win
it."
Mr.. Thompson-'Well, Mr.. Roosevelt, the
removal of Tousey would seriously impair our
service"
Mr.. Roosevelt (bitterly)-"It is the fault of
the postoffice officials and you must suffer the
consequences. Nobody can be blamed except
yourself. 1t was your duty TO know the law
and to observe il, and the commission can't be
held responsible for such violations. You have
no right to make illegal appointment and
then ask it to be Endorsed by the commission"
And the significant concurrence of the other
two commissioners Silenced the enthusiastic
deputy.
A short time was spent in hearing the testi
mony of Mr.. Charles w. Riggs, who had passed
the examination four years ago at an average
of Is per cent, but failed to secure work under
Postmaster Jones for the reason that he (Jones)
had required a political test from him.
The commissioners through Mr.. Roosevelt
denounced the action iercely and said if any
postmaster under their observation and during
their administration should be guilty OF SINH
lar breach OF the law, be would be recon-
mended for removal at once. At the same
time they assured Mr.. Riggs that his appica-
ton should receive their promptest attention.
Again the Tousey case was heard in a final
request addressed TO Mr.. Wallace:
"You will sever the connection of Messrs
Tousey and Wheat with the civil service at
once, will you, sirF'
silent, yet expressive, nod from the post
master OF the protection administration said
"yes."
Mr.. Roosevelt-"Wheat can be restored at
once under the old soldier act, hut under
stand Tousey will not fall under that denOmina-
ton. If he enters the mail service it must be
bv cOmDetitiVe examination"