New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-04
EXAMINING EX.POSTMASTER PAUL.
He LAYS ALL THE BLAME FOR HIS TROUBLE o.
SHIDY.

Washington, March 3.-When the committee "'cs
tigating the charges against the Civil Service Commits
sion met today Mr.. Hatton. in the absence OF Mr
Ewart. conducting the prosecution called attention
to the remaining charges against the Commission
These were: % That the Commission has since It's or
ganzation 70 the present time, by the mahpuiduoh'
Of the rues brought about results in Violation oi the
spirit and letter of the law (o) that by colusoh WIN
the Departmental officers appointments nave bech
made in violation Of the merit system; t5) that reia
80 ~ the officers of the Commission have been at
tachcd TO Tie Commission, gaining knowledge OF us
secrets and in direct violation OF law; az tina, OF
fences which resulted in the dismissal Of officers OF
one political party condoned when committed
by officers Of the other political party
In regard to the first charge. Mr. llatton said that
REPRESENTATIVE Buttcrworth wanted it amended so as
TO fn;:-how it was that under the Republican Admin
stration nneenths of the appointments to the Cvll
Service Republicans, and under a Dehiocrauc
Administration the same proportion were Democrats.
The scope of the amendment would bring the matter
to the attention Of the committee when 1t discussed
tie general workings Of the system. In regard TO
the second charge. Mr.. Hatton said it was embraced
m the Mitchell charge, and the prosecution was willing
to leave the matter the testimony already given
on that charge. As to the third he SAID IL rclaleS
to the employment OF the wife of one OF the ohccrS
of the Commission and the sister OF an0thcr winch
was not denied As to the fourth charge Mr. lldt'oh
said the prosecution held that it was sufficiently es
tablished in the case OF the promotion of Campbell
Republican, after a violation Of law. which he con
fcssed and the dismissal OF Sturgs, Democrat
because he was an Indifferent and careless clerk.
The first witness, Representative Browne. OF Vir-
einia was called to testify that he knew that Miss
Emily Dabney, the correctness OF whose testimony
was questioned by Mr. Flynn, tile principal "l 'ie
wv Institute was truthful and honorable person
Miss Dabney had testified that Flynn had offered 10
sell her Civil Service questions which was denied
by Flynn. ,
commissioner Roosevelt announced that, ia the
testimony Of the superintendent Of the Census ana
the Postmaster General, given on saturday might give
he impression that he Roosevelt, had concealed from
them the facts in regard to shdy, the secretary Oh INC
Milwaukee postofcc when lie sought their assistance
in protecting him. he desired TO say that he not Only
concealed nothing In regard to slldy from any one
bat all the facts in regard 10 him were puon'ly anu
officially known at the time of his suggestion Of sndN
for Office and at the time OF his appointment
Commissioner Thompson. IN reply 10 question ~
Mr. lIatt0n said the commission had not taken any
.tcns 10 secure ,hidys removal from the Census
Oficc where he * row employed: and he, Thompson
dd not propose t. take any further steps for or against
him.
EA-posimascr George II. Paul. Of Milwaukee, was
then called witness lie wa appointed post
master. he said by President Cleveland in 1HS1.
HIS Office was he said the head o! potohec> OF the
.i,. i'm having :hc least number of removals for the
time Ifc held The osicc nearly fodI wears; Their
we're between sixty and seventy CLERKS oi both class,
in the Cnice. out If the rnclas>ined Clerks ticIc
we're thrty-seven changes. sixteen # which were
roSynatons in The classified service there were
twenty-ni designations. making tai in both classes
Of fOrty-nVc destinations. OF these. Only one H.u
been asked for: the icst were voluntarily given lie
aid thai politics mad nothing 10 do Wi'h these Ic'ieta
lions. The conversation vhs poor. ana thc hp"F
hard and the clerks frequently dnNipu, IN get
out Nr. PAUL said the dutcs Of the 'ivll Scrvlcc
examining board Of the pOstoAioc were dis
charged entirely independent Of himself q.
postmaster. Mr. Paul aid hc Fever BAD
assisted. advised or controlled Mir. shdv IN making
false ccrncaton. or IN changing the marking o; an
examination paper. lie never 10 h> know ledge. ln
any manner Improperly Influenced Mr. Shdy n the
discharge Of his duties. lie never dreamed he SAD
Of d>charcing >hidv because he testified before the
civil service Commission. II shdy's hlunicrln-
-ecord, that caused all the trouble although he On
no, think il was done With criminal intent on his
part; Shidv had confessed - him tPaul that h" was
cornered end ntimicated by the Comm~siOn and c'pc
ciav By Mr. Roosevelt Nr. Paul then told now u
srpcarcd that many clerks were first appointed ana
ten .cir names certified 80 him for appo.nimc after
va,d lie sad that >hidy. being lazy. would have
the names certified and he tPsID would maize >elt,
iio1 and the papers would be 80 marked. Ih"h NllN
would cast them aside for time and vonld finally
record Them frequently. however. not until the ap
polntce had taken his place.