Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-05
SERIOUS CHARGES
Against Civil Service Reform Under
Cleveland.

Some time ago the Washington Post
charged that the civil service law was
being violated by the civil service commits
sion. 1t charged that the commissioners while
requiring all department clerks to be ap-
pointed after examination and certihcation
by the commission, appointed clerks to the
commission without requiring them to pass
examination, and alleged favoritism in their
app p1intmenis Subsequently it made the
more serious charge Of examination papers
being stolen, and sold by clerk of the com
mission, who sas retained in Office and pro
NOTED notwithstanding the guilt was discov-
cred.
Tomorrow the Post will print four column
article trying to substantiate this latter slle-
cation 1t will say the lady who went to q
teacher in this city for instruction prepara-
tory to taking An examination, was furnished
by the teacher fora consideration with copy
Of questions subsequently asked These
questions. it says, were in the handw writing Of
Campbell, clerk to the commission and
brother-in-law of Commissioner Ly yman. The
matter was brouibt BY Commissioner Oberly
to Lymsn's attention, and the published ac-
count says the next morping Commissioner
Lyman told Oberly that bis (Lyman's) wife
was perfectly overcome and public expos
as penitent as could be. The matter was
hushed up, although called to President
Cleveland's atteLti0n, and Campbell was sub
sequently promoted at a time when Lyman
was sole commissioner. long interview
with the former officer. a commi ssioner now
holding another government office, is printed
in support of the charges made. The follow
ing corrohoratiDg letter is published for the
first time
WIZARDS HOTEL, I
WAsHISGToN, April "a, 1889. {
To the President:
Referring to my note to you of April
and to your request through Secretary Hal
ford that | should SEN to you in writing the
information referred to, know that was
put in possession of it only on the evening
before my note was written. The case
shows that watchfulness is a necessity to
e1at justice in all civil service matters
where wrong doing is brought to light and
it should not be condoned by retention in
office. Campbell. clerk in the commits
sion, brother law to Commissioner Ly-
msn, several month, ago when Oberly and
Lyman were both members of the commits
sion, copied set of examination papers pre-
pared for examination, and gave them to
friend Mrs. Blank. who sold them for S25
to Mr. Flynn principal of the Ivy Insti-
tute of this city. The papers came into the
possession of a Miss Blank, who went to the
commission to ascertain if they were ques-
tions to be used at the examination. Inves-
ngstion of the action showed that
they were in the bandw ritirg of
Campbell, and the result of the investigation
vas his retention in office by Commissioners
Oberly ard Lyman, because the disclosure
would have injurious effect on Mrs. Lyman.
Campbell has since and recently been pro-
NOTED by Lyman from $1,000 to $500 salary.
Matters connected with the Office of chief
examiner would not bear close examination,
and 10 such an extent are they known that
the integrity of the examination is ques-
toned. Altogether too much was le # to the
discretion of the commission for thorough
regulations. which commission itself has
power 10 make, and by simple orders and
varying opinions almost any desired result
can he secured I do not give you this
Information for the purpose of inviting any
action on it, but that you may be advised
that there are ways of wrongdoing it is well
for the Presi1ent to understand.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) A. Z. EDGERToS.