New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-21
THE CIVIL SERVICE Alta CKED |
HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
on REFORM IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
REPRESENTATIVES, EwART AND HOUK OPPOs-
ING THE COMMISSION AND THE LAw-CoM.
MISSIONER ROOSEVELT'S REPLY.
IDY TELEGRAPH TIE TkIBUNR.I


IDY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TkIBUXR.I
Washington Jan. 2O-The House Committee
Reform in the Civil Service held interesting
to-day. Speeches earnest they enter
tanning made by Representative Ewart y
North Carolina, and Representative Iouk, OF Tennes-
sec. Mr.. Ewart has introduced a resolution to in
veStigae certain charges against the Civil service
Commission, and also bill repeal the Civil service
law. His remarks were confined to the resolution.
The charges he brought. all of which have been pub
lShed in The Washington Post" well as in many
ether newspapers affect chiefly the Commission as ID
existed before the incoming of the present Admins
tlatlon. one of them, however, asserts that the
present Commission has retained in it's service man
who guilty OF furnishing set OF examination
questions TO person who not entitled 10 them,
and who sold them TO a in Washington who makes
speciality of preparing candidates for examination by
the Commission. Another Of the charges aifeOs the
present Commission, in that it attacks the eligible
list" Other charges alece favoritism in the cert1-
cation of persons eligible list for appointment
in the several Departments; in the promotion OF
persons in the service. and violation of the spirit.
if not the letter. OF the law. by the appointment,
without competitive examination. OF persons in the
service Of the Commission itself.
Mr. Ewart said that he did not desire to bring
forward proof i'm support Of any Of the charges until
The House should have decided whether or not the
investigation should be had but that he was ready
TO produce witnesses in support of every Allegation
made. lie did not to enter upon a discussion
Of the question to whether or not the law Shouh
be repealed. his object being first to show that mas
been unfairly administered by the Civil Service Com
mission.
Judge Iouk spoke in favor OF his bill. which pro
poses to abolish the Civil Service Commission a. 1t
is now constituted. and substitute therefor depart
mental examining boards. He complained that he
had been abused as spokesman by people who ala MOI
understand the scope purpose If his bill or his
fhD ItxsI1
that the Commission as now constituted, IS only the
rfiv- fifth wheel Of a wagon and that the law" a u
stands. goes to the verge of constitution hhpuoh'
because the Civil Service Commissioners nave no
constituents behind them While he paid hgH
compliment to the ability of the members Of the Com
mission. he did not believe that there was man"
featuring establishment banking house or any other
business concern in the country, which would permit
the Commission to select for employment therein
Judge IIouk continued
If | wanted a law partner would not want 10
take him upon the recommendation OF Mt LYMAN
who might have examined him and found INN iull OF
book learning would want TO see the man and
know him. And if l was at the head Of depart
ment l would want the privilege. The re
sponshility would be mine and would want To bear
H. Now the e-ponsilty is shifted from the head 81
the department. who is held responsible hy The people
and the Commission is not held responsible
Judge Iouk then referred To the application Of the
Civil rules 10 appNt ants lol pid'to - P"N'
Office inspectors and railway postal clerks. lie
thought it unfortunate that either Of these classes 81
public servants had been brought within the scope OF
the Civil service regulations lie then eNtolled the
Railway Mail service il existed several years ago
when he said. il began to deteroratc, until IN hi,
part of the country. it became virtual wreck.
Mr. Dargan. Of south Carolina, member Of the
committee, asked several years ago How many
years Whenl'
Judge Iiouk promptly replied "Oh. about the
time when Cleveland into power and turned out
competent Republicans in order that incompetent
Democrat, might be provided with places
The laugh Darsan, but he rctortcd Were
having the same trouble down in my country now be
cause Of incompetent Republicans
We'll. join hands replied Judge IIouk. and -
4on; singing together. and straigten the trouble on
both sides
Judge lIouk asserted that the Railway Mail service
is again deterioratng account Of the app Cd.
the Cyil service rules TO il but he was unable 10 sny
how many railway mail postal clerks have been ap-
pointed under the civil Service rules since last MAY,
when the rules first became applicable.
All Of the Civ service Commissioner, were present.
and they seemed heartily 10 enjoy The qup- ana -ar
castle references 10 themselves. When Judge Ilpuk
had finished hi, speech Nr. Lyman, VINO Tor -"Ic
months The sole Commissioner arose ana -aid that
| several Of the charges brought b' Mr. t"ati re-
acctcd upon him personally, he thpu-hi il ""uIp DE-
ony an act of justice for the committee 20 maxi"
thorough and searching investigation OF an oi u,H-
lie anxious moreover. a. w"r" hl~ coll" i-"- NJ
/ only
bat that there should Doe thorough inquiry ini" All
the method Of the civil service Commission under tie
last Administration well a. since the beginning "i
the present one
Chairman Roosevelt then took the hOor. and ~ also
urrod thorough Investigation. He wanted u ~ j."
"a thorough That there could be no mistake icl''t
the o1ri9l act Of IA" Commission. H. mcihrd-
~ admin .,raton and the operation Of ID" law.
lie desired. however. that the d"nr- "' ne
commission under the last Admin -ifatlpn, ana IT,
act since the appointment al himself ana 40
ernor THOMPSON -hond be separately considered n1l
If the charges related 20 acts Whlth N't aI'-'" ~
b,,n hon done i'm violation Of law before %" anc
f.,,crtor Thomson came into Office. Nh Roosevelt
ir . Lricf tcr~c statement set iuitl ~ t''Th i'Tu7
mo manner i'm which appointments are now HlI"''
and fully met and refucd the statements |" w 'H'
that the examination, ar" not pFacu'dI ne az.
reminded the Committee that mere j. no" a ldh
,so of flc aptnc~, and practical qualifications ~
,,.,.o,, annoiucd before his employment becomes per
iuancn II i, probable that one or w" ncIlbriN
- +ho committee have not before under t""d thht
crk appotcd I'm the classified service under me ne
- tbc Cnfuui--iou. must ~lN months before
,..ccyiug a ncrnancnt appointment; ard that # hc
doe. not demonstrate NJ itnce- ana Gpi6y ln ma
| lime his name is dropped and ne" appointment
nav" ~ Postmaster General IIatton. Editor Of the
Washington Post" made hriri statement I'D Nn ho
hn aid that after per oual investigation ne had
Iecnnc lied that the charge against Comm 'loncF
lyman published in " The POST vcio trn" before ne
rho committee adjourned until next Monday. The
.,elintinn Tor an investigation viii undoubtedly De-
fvcr,iJy rrnorfcd and adopted hv the House. a. the
commissioners ar. quito anxious for II as are thcr
onponcnts and the opponents OF the law"
kORE HARD FEELING ~ THE IRISH LEA" T.
More troullc has arisen between the officers Of The