St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-20
CIVIL SERVICE METHODS.
Hatton's Charges Against Commits
siOnerS Under Investigation

naCtohs charges Against Commits
sfoners Under Investigation.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The three
clvii-service commissioners. Frank Hat
ton, editor of the Washington Post,
which has made charges against the
commission, and number of other gen.
tlemen were present when the house
committee on reform in the civil service
this evening began its Investigation of
the commission. Civil Service Commits.
sloner Lyman was the first witness, ana
in answer to the inquiries of Represent
alive Ewart. who offered the resolu-
tion, under which the inquiry is pro-
ceeding, he testified that his
br other-in-law, A. c. Campbell, was
first appointed by the commission as
laborer, though he had passed an exam
ination and was on the eligible list for
appointment as clerk. Campbell had
received several promotions, one of
them in April, 1889, when witness was
the sole commissioner. Campbell did
not pass an examination for promotion,
the commissioners clerk not being re-
ruary Commissioner Oberly had called
witness attention to the fact that ex-
animation questions were being fur
nlShed to outsiders, anu witness had
said that
TT WAS A SERIOUS MATTER
and that those who gave them out
should be punished. The next day he
discovered that these questions were in
Campbell's handwriting, and, at wit
ness suggestion, the chief examiner
made an investigation and found that
the questions had not been used. Camp
bell acknowledged to witness that he
fnrO LODI f,s0
sion Office who had come to him for as
sistance in passing an examination for
promotion. Campbell informed witness
that he told this lady that he did not
know of any way TO help her except
that he might give her a
set of questions formerly used
that would embrace the sub
JectS Included in an examination for
promotion. Campbell said he had given
copy of the questions to this lady, with
the understanding that it would De de-
stroyed. 1t was after this statement
that witness placed the matter in Mr..
Oberly's hands, as it would have been
manifestly improper for witness to act
in the case. Mr.. Oberly did not reply.
Lyman, will leave you TO reflect over
this matter." He Nyman) regarded
Campbel's act as serious breach of
discipline. and had reprimanded him.
With respect to criticisms made, grow
ing out of witness daughter making
application for the civil service eYamina-
ton before she had reached the legal
age, Lyman said that his daughter had
ACTED WITHOUT CONSULTING HIM.
HIS daughters application was made
before the rule reducing the age of ap-
pticantS had been adopted, but the ex-
animation did not take place until after
the nlQnDn n tim rryIn bod i
HIS daughters examination was in con-
formIty with the rule which allowed
persons who had made application be-
fore attaining the proper aye to take.
The examinations. In response to a
member of the committee Mr.. LYMAN
said that Commissioner Oberly; after
investigating the charges against Camp
bell, stated that 1T was merely ali offense
against the technical discipline of the
Office, Involving no turpitude, and that
reprimand would be sufficient punish
ment. Mr.. Lyman said he had
no agency whatever in CampbelPs
appointment. that it was made while he
was out of the city. At the conclusion
OF MIR. Lyman's examination several
other witnesses, including eX-Commis-
sioner Obefly, were called, but did not
respond. Mr.. Ewart said he preferred
not to go on with the inquiry until these
witnesses were at hand. Frank Hatton
said he proposed to prove by Mr.. Oberly
that some of the statements made bv
Mr.. Lyman were not correct. 1t was
finally decided to proceed
WITHOUT THE WITNESSES
whose names had been called. Com
missioner Roosevelt was sworn, and
gave his testimony concerning the
Campbell matter. He said when he had
learned Of the case through the news
paper publications, Commissioner
Thompson and himself had concluded
an inquiry into the matter:
and. after questioning several
persons and learning that Mr.. OberIy
had continued Campbell in Office. they
had concluded that they were not justi-
fed in reopening the case. Mr.. Roose-
welt called attention to editorials in the
WASHINGTON Post containing charges
against the commission, and he said SO
far as they affected the present commits
sion they were unqualified faIsehoOds.
He complained that the charges were
not specific. and he said he would like to
have the gentlemen conducting the
prosecution make them more so. Mr..
Hatton said he would furnish instances
where the commission had violated the
letter and the spirit of the law. Com
missioner Thompson was sworn and
corroborated the statements of Mr..
Roosevelt concerning Campbell. The
committee then adjourned subject to
the call of thp chairman