Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-16

The information that the civil service inves-
tigating committee aided in reaching
its conclusion concerning tie character OF
the Campbell questions by documentary
evidence obtained after the public hearing ;
had closed. which evidence does not appear IN
the printed record. solves the only puzzling
feature of the report. The inquiry whether the
questions were current or not was of course
the vital one in the Campbell matter The
newspaper publications and the case made by
the prosecution as it appears in the printe
record entirely failed to establish that
the questions we're current The
legal evidence was all the other way The in
ferences from the testimony of Messrs Oberly.
Lyman and others seemed irresistible. Miss
Dabnsy's testimony on the inquiry whether the
questions were copied and in Mr.. Flynns
hands before the general examination in
which they were used was merely hesrsay.
stating hor recollection of what Mr. Flynn had
said TO heE tho sGbjec. and not what she
had seen and knew. The evidence was all TO
the effect that questions once used we're not
used again; that the questions copied had been
once used. inasmuch ~ the answers
of an examined eligible were copied
with them: and that consequently the
questions we're obsolete so far as subsequent
use was concerned, and that their only value
consisted in the suggestion which they gave Of
the general character Of questions asked in
such examinations. There was absolutely not
particle of legal evidence Of record on the
other eide. The STAR gave credence TO the
witnesses. and upon the showing made by the
testimony il believed that this charge was as
basciess as the others and il said So II is now
stated that documents Of the commission dis
covered since these comments OF The STAR in
dictate that the Questions and answers cop
led we're those of special examiua-
ton, which removes the case from the
rule that questions once used are
not issued again. and that these questions were
actually used in subsequent general exani-
nation. Such evidence would of course settle
the doubt in the matter. The STAB is and has
been anxious only 20 ascertain the truth OF the
affair, and as II has no personal sptes to crafty
and no individuals to defend in opposition to
the truth. ii will not hesitate to revise its oDin-
ion concerning the character of the questions
on additional and satisfactory evidence. Its
previous comments were at the time fully JUS
titled. The prosecutor in the case. evidently
influenced by personal grudges and hostility to
the merit system, had concocted mass of
seemed TO show that this accusation was as
unfOunded and malicious all the others.
The attempt OF the prosecutor to establish it
was on the record as pitiful a collapse as in re-
spect to the other charges. 1t is this fact which
which drives the prosecution to abuse the in
vestigating committee without limit and to
place no restraint upon an exhibition OF
baffied and disappointed malice. 1t 10 no
real satisfaction TO the prosecution that
single one Of its numerous charges not sus-
tanned by its own showing. Is by accident or
through other instrumentalities proved to
be well founded. And it cannot now
twist its features into pleased express
sion, after its display of anger and disappoint-
ment when the conclusions OF the committee
were announced. The friends of the merit sys-
tenn. while rejoicing at the discontinue Of It's
enemies all along the line, will OF course regret
to find that current questions have even in d
single instance been tampered with. No care
for the protection of such questions can be ex-
cessive, and for the future precautions
that cannot be eyaded must be taken
1t Is OF as great importance to the merit system
that the truth in respect 70 such violations of
its spirit should be known and guarded against
as that baseles5 accusations should be estab-
hshed as such. The report of the committee
will have therefore the double value of show
ing how little there is in the countless spitefuI
accusations that have been brought against the
system and the present commission. ard of
putting the commissioners ON guard against
such offences as that OF Campbell