The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11
cIvI. SERVICE.
Mr.. Harrison FacetiOusly Remarks That
He FnvOrs the Law.

MT. harrlsOn EacetlOurly Remarks Inat
He FnvOrs the Law.
On the 4th of March last the civil SER
vice commission had but a single member.
The vacancies were filled on the 9TH day
OF May, and since then the commissioners
have been industriously, though with an
inadequate force, engaged in executing the
law. They were assured by me that
cordial support would be given the faith
fu and impartial enforcement of the
statute and rules and regu ations adopted
in aid of it. Heretofore the book of eligi-
bles has been closed TO every one except as
certifcations were made upon the requisi-
ton of the appointing officers. This Sc
crecy was the source of much suspicion
and of many charges OF favOritism in the
administration of the Jaw. What is secret
is always suspected; what is open can
be judged. The commission, with
the full approval OF all its
members, has now opened the list of
eligibles to the public. The eligible lists
for the classified postoffices and custom
houses are now publicly posted in the
respective offices, as are also the certifi-
cations for appointments. The purpose
of the civil service law was absolutely to
exclude any other consideration in con-
nectiOn with appointments under it than
that of merit as tested by the examina-
tons. The business proceeds upon the
theory that both the examining boards
and The appointing officers are absolutely
ignorant as to the political views and as
sOciations of all persons on the civil SER
vice lists. 1t is not too much to say, how
ever, that some recent congressional in
vestigations have somewhat shaken public
confidence in the impartiality OF the Sc
lacffnrc for arV,nipffy,or,fc
The reform of the civil service will
make no safe or satisfactory advance until
the present law and its administration are
established in the confidence of the peo-
pie. 1t will be my pleasure, as it is
my duty, to see that the law is executed
with firmness ana impartiality. If some
OF It's provisions have been fraudulently
evaded by appointing officers, our resent
ment should not suggest the repeal of the
law, but reform in its administration. We
should have one view of the matter, and
hold il with a sincerity that is not affected
by the consideration that the party to
which we belong is for the time in power.
My predecessor on the 4th day of Janu-
airy, 1889, by an executive order to take
effect March 10, brought the railway mail
service under the operation OF the civil
service law. Provision was made that the
OTuer sDOulQ take eUeCJ sooner IN
any state where an eligible list
was sooner obtained. On the 18th
day of March, Mr.. Lyman, then the only
member of the commission, reported to
me in writing that it would not be posi-
bic to have the list of eligibles ready be-
fore May /, and requested that the taking
effect of the order be postponed until that
time, which was done, subject to the same
provision contained in the original order
as to states in which an eligible list was
sooner obtained. AS a result of the revis-
ion OF the rules of the new classification,
and of the inclusion of the railway mail
service, the work of the commission has
been greatly increased, and the present
clerical force is found to be inadequate.
recommend that the additional clerks
asked by the commission be appropriated
for.
The duty of appointment is devolved by
the constitution or by the law, and the
appointing officers are properly held to a
high responsibility in its exercise. The
growth Of the country, and the consequent
increase of the civil list have magnifed
this function OF the executive DISTORTION
ally. 1t cannot be denied, however, that
the labor connected with this necessary
work is increased, often to the point of
actual distress, by the sudden and excessive
demands that are made upon an incoming
administration for removals and appoint
ments. But on the other hand, it is not
true that incumbency is a conclusive arg:i-
ment for a'continuance in office. Impair
TALLY, moderation, fidelity TO public duty,