Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-09
CIVIL SURvTcE COMMISSIONERS.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONERS.
The president has filed the vacancies
in the civil service commission by the
appointment OF Mr.. Theodore Roose-
welt, OF New York, and Mr.. Hugh s.
Thompson, OF South Carolina. There
will probably be be no very serious OBJ
lection from any source TO these selec-
tions. Mr.. Roosevelt has enjoyed some
prominence in the politics OF the En-
pire state. Originally republican, in
the presidential campaign OF 1884 he
identified himself with the independ-
ents. and was more or less active in OPP
position TO the republican candidate.
Subsequently he became rehabilitated as
q republican, and two years ago was the
candidate of the party in New York city
for mayor, receiving the support OF
portion Of the Independent press, but
not the full. strength of the party. He
has been one Of the leaders in the cause
OF civil service reform, and it is TO be
supposed is still in full sympathy with
it. Mr.. Roosevelt is q man Of scholarly
attainments and Independent spirit,
who has not courted political prefer
ment. 1t is quite probable that in this
case the Office sought the man, and il he
accepts it there can be no doubt he will
discharge its duties with ability and in
tegrity. The law requires that one
member Of the commission shall be of
the opposite political party to that in
power. Mr.. Thompson was assistant
secretary OF the treasury under the last
administration, and he had been Sc
lected by Mr.. Cleveland for appoint
meut as civil service commissioners.
Objection was then made to him that
he had never shown or intim ated any
sympathy with the reform, and further
more that his influence had uniformly
been eXerted for the removal of union
soldiers from the public service in the
interest of ex-confederates. His appoint
ment by President Harrison should
perhaps be accepted as disposing Of
these charges. Mr.. Thompson is un-
doubtedly amply qualified to discharge
the duties of civil service commits
sioner, and it may safely be expected
that he will do his share toward
bhc law luily ttuu
forced.
There is reason to expect that the
new commission will be the ablest and
most harmonious since the civil service
| law went into effect. Other commits
sions have been composed in part OF
| men of ability and zeal, but owing to q
want of harmony among them the best
- 4
with the result of subjecung the sys-
| ten to moro or less unfavorable criti-
cism. Another observation suggested
by these appointments is that they
| ought to produce the effect of silencing
| those reformers who have recently
criticized the course Of the admins
| tratlon in making removals and ap-
pointments, protesting lugubrious con-
| Germ for the future of civil service re-
| form. With one of their number ap-
| pointed on the commission, and the
choice OF the man whom they sup
| ported as the foremost of reformers &C
cepted by the administration if they
| the president TO carry out the
| policy of reform fairly and faithfully i
is not easy to conceive what would con
| vince them. The truth is that the
course of the administration thus far
has been that OF simple justice to the
republicans who in the last few months
of the preceding administration were
thrust out of positions in the publ,
service for purely partisan reasons, ant
their places filed generally by mer
whose only recommendation was theil
ability to perform useful party service
The changes made were not only ueces
sary to improve the standard and eff
ficlency Of the public service, but alst
in Justice to thousands of experienced
and faithful men who were the victims
Of a desperate political exigency. There
is in this nothing that threatens danger
to true, reasonable and practical
policy OF civil service reform, and this
the present administration can be re-
lied upon to observe and advance.
|
SOUTHERN ELOQUENCE.