The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1890-01-23

GOV. THOMSON. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
view all the Congressman who have sworn
they would smash the law the next chance
they go.-but will it? Is there any real. de-
termned, comprehensive scheme on foot to
repeal the civil service law and to restore to
the heads OF Federal departments the power
to appoint AMI reniove subordinates at their
own sweet will? That is the question.
1t may be frankly said that at prcscii: it
looks doubtful. Administrations and Isa;;ies
caii,,ot very readily violate their most sol
emn pledges. A repeal of tie civil service
law need not be looked for by this Con-
gre-s. Even if bill rasse, which is very
doubtful, the President would pretty ccr-
tainly veto it, and it may be a ided tilat Con-
gress will scarcely descend to the petty trick
cry of refusing tho usual appropriation 50
long as the law creating the commission is
untouched. This opinion l have come to
after inquiry among among those who pre-
tend to know how the wind is blowing with
reference to civil service reform. l met
gentleman on the avenue few days SINCE
who enjoys intimate relations with several
pronounced "anii" Congressman on the
civil service question. and in the course of
conversation he expressed himself rs very
firmly ofthe opinion that nothing would be
done at the present session toward the re-
real ofthe law.
"Why nol?" asked.
"Wcll, simply because nobody really
wants it repealed" he replied.
THAT'S queer Statement" I suggested.
"Well, it's fact,n' he continued and
know what L am talking about. There is
nobody who is as much benefited by the
civil service law as the average Congress
man. In fac their life would be intolerable
ifit wasn't for the protection to their COM
fort afforded by the very law that they near
ly all affect to SO strongly condemn. This has
got to be a5l'big country, and the
supply of Office seekers has grown
immensely in the past few years.
1t is safe to say that every neX Congrcss-
man will have from 3p) t. 5000 applications
for Office under the Federal government, de-
pending on the district he represents and his
prominence as politician. 1t is simply inn
possible for him to meet the demand. What
does he do? Why, he generally has a neat
typc-wrtten postal card. which he mails to
each applicant. briefly explaining his ina
bility to secure appointments on account of
the civil service law. and referring them to
the commission. This les him out, you see,
and the denunciation resulting from disap-
pOintmcn. is leveiGd Ut the commission or
the law creating it. Mr.. Congressman, hay
ing ggottcn out the hole nj, ely. takes the first
o. rortunity to declare in an interview his
abhorrence of the law. or perhaps makes
speech aga;ns: it, That ends it. The appro-
priation is assed as usual, and the commits
SION gets in lis work"
is that tie real aiSi:uation
"Just abou; it.
merely give this opinion for what it is
worth. 1t comts from q gentleman who has
been vigorous cit cof c vii service reform,
and associates With thos, who are its
r,.cognz ID enemies. There are certainly 10
indications 1T present that the law is i'll much
da ger of the hands If Congress.
II may be added that the new Commits
sioners Mcssrs. +. oSevelt and Thompson,
have Just been confirmed bv the Sci, ate with
OCT CD. osition. G. H. BENEDICT.