Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-20


Of it. 1t would reduce the number OF eligi-
bles, because when they found they had to 60
through the eye of . needle to get into the
service they would not try. It would not be as
IL now is, when all they have to do 10 to Jump
into the civil service wagon and take rides
Der Of eligibles.
One Of the committee remarked that he
thought nothing but pestilence would do thatt
coMMIssIoNKR LYMAN WANTS A sKABcHISa IN
vEsTIGATIoN.
At the conclusion Of Mr. Houk's speech Mr.
Lyman spoke Of the Ewart resolution for An in
vestigation Of the commission and said that as
some Of the charges related to him personally
he wanted thorough and searching investiga-
ton. He asked also for complete investiga-
ton of every feature of the service.
COMMISSIONER RoosEvKLrs REQUEST.
Mr.. Roosevelt asked the committee in justice
and fairness to so divide the resolution a. to
separate the investigation so az to let the pres
ent commission stand by Its own record and not
be responsible for past commissions. He pointed
out that by the terms of Mr.. Ewart's resolution
1t did not appear whether the charges made re-
lated to the administration of the present
commission or to its predecessors The COM
mission was anxious for q thorough investiga-
ton of their administration. He referred to
the charge that by manipulation Of the rules
any result desired was brought about He
said that as the charge read 1t
seemed to be made against the
present commission and President Harrison:
No such charge could justly be made against
the commission since he had been associated
with it, and he wanted 1t made plain against
what commission the charge was made. He
wanted to know if it was charged that the pres
ent commission had violated the law. He said
he joined in the wish of his colleagues for Q
thorough investigation.
MR.. HoPKINsSwANTs TO KNOW.
Mr.. Hopkins, one of the committee, asked
how it was II the committee were non-partisan
that during a republican administration there
were two republican commissioners and one
democrat and that the reverse order existed
when the democrats were in power.
MIR. ButterwOrth remarked that this was not
thing Mr.. Roosevelt had to do with. In the
SO, and in the second place, there were but
two great parties, 1t could not be otherwise.
MR.. ROOSEVELT NOT MIND READER.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that it was asking him
why some one else thought it expedient to fol-
low certain policy. He was not a mind
reader and could not tell.
Mr.. Lind suggested that the commission be
asked to consider the question as to whether or
not the competition of the present system
could not be combined with the idea of per-
sonal selection of clerks by the officials of the
departments.
MR.. ROOSEVELT EXPLAINS THE METHODS OF EX-
ANIMATION.
Mr.. Roosevelt said he was ready to answer
that and he pointed out the fact that the
recommendations as to personal character were
required, and the appointees under the system
are given first preliminary trial for six
months-known as the probationary period
during which the officials over them had the
opportunity to determine their fitness.
"But how under the law as it now is" asked
MIR. Lind, 'can test be made of the natural
gifts and adaptability of the applicant-the
horse sense? Can that be taken into account
in making the selection?"
Mr.. Roosevelt replied that this was of course
taken into consideration by the official under
whom the clerk served his term of probation.
MIR. Lind suggested that good sense was thus
made a secondary qualification.
Mr.. Roosevelt replied that the test in this
was made later but that it was not secondary,
as the clerks remaining in the service depended
upon his adaptability and efficiency shown
during probation.
1t would not be practicable, he said, to ap-
compete. He said that the commission asked
practical questions; that they modelled their
questions after those of the department. serv-
ice for which clerks were desired.
How, then, il your examination better than
the departmental examinations asked Mr..
Hopkins.
I'm this" was the reply, 1--WE leave out poll
tics from consideration, making qualification
the only test. In the other system the first de-
mand was that the applicant should belong to
the right party, and then that he should have
the right sort of pull. The question of quail
mission had
EXCLUDED POLITICS ENTIRELY.
Mr.. Boatner said that in his part of the coun-
frv fha 70 abax ~
the railroad mail service.
Mr.. Roosevelt retorted that the same mis-
take was made by him that Mr.. Houk
had made, i'll not remembering that the
state of affairs they referred to was
brought about under the old system. before
this branch was placed under the civil-service
law. The political changes in the force which
they referred to- had been made before the
civil-service law.
CATION.
Mr.. Thompson Joined with his colleagues in
asking for an investigation and asked that it be
made thorough possible. In reply to a
statement by Mr.. Houk that none of the COM
missioners had their constituents behind them
on the clVil-servlce question he
pointed out the fact that he was
twice elected governor of South
Carolina on a civil-service reform platform.
and that he has the support OF his constitu-
ENJOY. He knew there were some eminent men
in his state who did not like the system. but
the state approved it, as shown by resolu-
tions of Endorsement passed by the Legislature.
Bu., he said, if every man in the state opposed
it he would still favor taking political con-
siderations out of the question of departmental
appointments. The law might not be perfect;
ii not he woult like to see it improved in every
way possible. The principle should be main
tanned in the interest of the public service.
MR.. HArToN HAS SOMETHING TO SAY.
Mr.. Hatton, editor OF the Post, who has been
attacking the law, had something to say. He
declared that he had made the charges he had
in his paper believing them to be true. He
said he regretted that his remarks on the
subject had been taken TO be personal.
Ii the system were to stand, he did not want
any better commissioner than Mr.. Roosevelt.
He declared he was a civil-service reformer,
but that he did not believe in the present sys-
tenn. II the charges made against Mr. Lyman
were true, he said he did not consider him
a fit person through whom to filter the reform
He said that he had witnesses who were ready
to testify in support Of the charges and that
they must be protected.
The committee went into executive session
at the close of his statement and shortly ad-
journed.
LIQUOR LICENSE CASES.