Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-20


was commenced last evening. Frank Hat.
ton and Commissioners Lyman and Roose-
velt testified. The charges relate mainly to
a brother-in-law and daughter of Lyman.
WASHINGTON, February 19.-The three
Civil Service Commissioners, Mr.. Frank
Hatton, editor of the Washington Post,
which has made charges against the COM
mission, and number of other gentlemen,
were present when the House Committee on
Reform in the Civil Service this evening
began its investigation of the commission.
Civil Service Commissioner Lyman was the
first witness, and in answer to the inquiries
of Representative Ewart, who offered the
under which the inquiry is pro-
ceeding, he testified that his brother-in-law,
A. G. Campbell, was first appointed by the
commission as laborer. though he had
passed an examination and was on the eligi-
Bile list for appointment as clerk.
THE CHARGE OF NEPorIsM.
Campbell had received several promo
tions, one of them in April, 1889, when wit
ness was the sole Commissioner. Campbell
did not pass an examination for promo
ton, the Commissioners clerks not being re-
1uired to do so. In January or February,
Oberly had called witness
attention to the fact that examination ques-
lions were being furnished to outsiders, and
witness had said that it was a serious mat
ter, and that those who gave them out
should be punished.
The next day he discovered that these
questions were in Campbell's hand writing,
and, at witness suggestion, the chief ex-
aminer made an investigation, and found
that the questions had not been used.
Campbell acknowledged to witness that he
had written the papers, and said that he
had copied them for a lady friend In the
Pension office. who had come to him for as
'istance in passing an examination for pro-
notion. Campbell informed witness that he
old this lady that he did not know of any
way to help her except that he might give
1er set of questions formerly used that
would embrace the, subjects included in an
examination for promotion.
MISPLACED CONFIDENCE.
Campbell said he had given a copy of the
questions to this lady with the understand
ng that it would be destroyed. It was
Ifter this statement that witness placed the
natter in Mr.. Oberly's hands, as it would
,ave been manifestly improper for witness
% act in the case. Mr.. Oberly did not re-
'ly: Lyman, will leave you to reflect
,ver this matter" He (Lyman) regarded
JampbelPs act as a serious breach of dis
'ipline, and had reprimanded him.
With respect to criticisms made growing
'ut of witness daughter making application
o take civil service examination before
he had reached the legal age, Mr. Lyman
aid that his daughter had acted without
him. His daughters application
vas made before the rule reducing the age
# applicants had been adopted, but the ex-
minGtion did not take place until after the
hange in the rule had been made. His
aughter's examination was in conformity
With the rule which allowed persons who
lad made application before attaining the
roper age to take the examinations.
SUFFICIENT PUNISHMENT.
In response to a member of the committee
Or. Lyman said that Commissioner Oberly,
fter investigating the charge against
stated that it was merely
n otfense against the technical discipline OF
he Office, involving no turpitude and that
eprimand would be sufficient punishment.
Or. Lyman said he had no agency whatever
q Campbell's appointment, and that it had
cen made while he was out of the city.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Lyman's exam
nation several other witnesses, including
Oberly, were called, but
erred not to go on with the inquiry until
1ese witnesses were at hand. Mr.. Frank
Iatton said he proposed to prove by Mr..
lhar1v that enrna of tho afofau nnf NJ da hr1
lr. Lyman were not correct. It was finally
ecided to proceed without the witnesses
hose names had been called.
Commissioner Roosevelt was sworn, and
ave his testimony concerning the Campbell
latter. He said when he had learned of
le case through newspaper publications
Thompson and himself had
,nducted an inquiry into the matter, and |
fter questioning several persons and learn
x that Mr.. Oberly had continued Camp |
I'll in Office, they had concluded that they |
ere not justified in reopening the case.
ALL RIGHT NOW.
Mr.. Roosevelt called attention to edi- |
rials In the Washington Post. containing |
larges against the commission, and he said |
tar as they affected the present commits |
on they were unqualified falsehoods. He |
that the charges were not spe-
fe, and he said he would like 10 have the
,ntlemen conducting the prosecution make
em more so.
Mr.. Hatton said he would furnish in
ances where the commission had violated
e letter and the spirit of the law.
Commissioner Thompson was sworn and
rroborated the statements of Mr.. Roose-
1t concerning Campbell. The committee
en- adjourned subject to call.