New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-06
THE CABINET AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SECRETARIES WINDOW, PROCTOR AND NOBLE
DISCUSS ITS WORKINGS.

|
DISCUSS ITS WORKINGS
Washington, Aug g." The POST this morning
prints interviews with Secretaries Window, Proctor
and Noble and Attorney General Miller In relation 10
the workings Of the Civil Service law
The following questions were asked the Cabinet
officers:
"Do you think the Of the law has improved
the public Do you think that YOU as the mead
OF the Department better qualified to select cefks VII"
special the work required Of them than any
body else responsibility OF properly running the depart
ment being upon you would II there were no Civil Ser
vice law select whom you did not believe qualified
solely for political reasonsr
Secretary Window unhestatngly asserted In re-
spouse the first question that he believed the en-
forement of the law had improved the public service.
As to the second question, he replied would not
have the time. l much prefer 20 he relieved OF the
necessity. i would be dependent, in great meas
ure the represent Of the asplrants themselves
or their friends / would have countless appeals
made 20 my sympathy by needy persons who are In
capable of selfsupport in other walks Of lfe' and
would have to be constantly correcting MISTAKES OF
my own making, as it would be impossible for me 10
make more than hasy inquiries into .he clerical merits
of the candidates." To the third question no EN-
phatically replied No, sir; would not. Nor do
| believe that Others would do so TO any extent. Ger
tanIy no person fit to occupy any Official position
would do So"
Secretary Proctor thought the law had improved
the public service, but said he had known very H'e
of the service previous to the existence OF inc law
He thought that if he was obliged to select all 'he
clerks of the War Department he would have very
little time for anything else Il am very giau'
he said TO be relieved Of the necessity OF seiccuhg
them and If the law repealed, should feel ha'
4. would be something of calamity to have the worn
Of the Civil Service Commission devolve on me-
"In regard to my experience and feeling for inc
Civil Service law" said secpetary Noole L can sly
that endeavor 10 obey 1t TO the extent that under
stand it with sincerity. AS to whether can get aong
yrithon. H. can only say that IN the census Burcdu'
where the statute required the Secretary OF inc N
terror 10 make regulations with She ASSISTANCE vi uno
SUPERINTENDENT OF the Census We nave lhdusu-
raed a system of rules Of examination that we DeleVe
win give lust as good results under our direct oai
as if we had an outside experimenting Doat f,
think the examinations are nearer the PaIrdH1u'of
service required than II they were In inc hdhus
somebody else | shall continue 10 oDey the CINlt
service law as far believe IT goes pug an Ho
inclined TO surrender single point 10 the COMMISSION
on any pIetension they may make 49,.
Do YOU consider that the pubic serNcc n I
improved by .he work of the CvH service Noniin'
sion ?" l.. .n a. ~ question -
employees of your Department devoNe1 upon SUn'
would you fill vacancies because OF pol1oal a,,S a,
inns or would your selections be based on the merit
OF candidates % the Secretary replied: Ihat Is all
hypothetical case which can't answer. -. oh,,.
You don. suppose you are going TO get caDlIls,
ATTORNEY General Milers comment: AS ioT mn ,
business is interpret the law, and cer'amS uo no'
want TO discuss H." - ..,.,r,s =, ,,is tirne
Secretary Rusk preferred TO say nothing at 'hs tc