New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-03
MR. PLUMB As A CIVIL SERVICE REFoRMER
HE WANTS TO TRANSFER THE CENSUS FORCE
OUTRIGHT TO THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE.

OUTRIGHT TO THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
Washington March (specIaD.-In the role Of Civil
sorvice rcformer Mr.. Plumb is great. Everybody
Knows that His latest proposition Is to transfer the
entire Census force without further examination, 10
the classified service. lie has SUCCEEDED In oan
hoozIinc 10 u,e one of his favOrite expressions, The
senate Committee on Appropriations INTO embodyms
this proposition OF his In an amendment 10 the De-
aciency bill What such an amendment has to DO on
An appropriation BILL and "a. al Appropriation DIS tN
one prepared to meet fiscal Deficiencies oil the Gov
errmcnt no one familiar with the rules Of the Senate
i, prepared TO say. of course; except, perhaps thai
Mr. Plumb's amendment may, By "A modest stTeteh Of
the Imagination, be considered as representing ue
deficiencies of the lame ducks and dead beats "hha
have found their way into temporary employment
the Census Bureau. This Is by no means Ienecn1
upon the many men and women who have renders
excellent service in this Bureau and who nave snow
themselves competent TO discharge the duties OF hei
places. These are not the people whom the fIuho
amendment can benefit for they have no motive hi
Sinking the ordeal OF Civil service exsmnauOn' W
the contrary they have every reason TO desire one
since in many cases it might result an putting uel
into better places than those now occupied oS thsm'
Ii is only the class which owes its whaek at the puoDa
crib TO political influence and to those very agencies
which the Civil Service law is designed to counterfeit
which such an amendment can possibly benefit Me-
Pmmb's proposition is wOrded as follows:
That photographers chiefs Of divisions clerks COPY.
lists special agents and computeis Oh tio ms,
once who shall have passed the general eASiniid'oa
OF the civil service Commission, ana were eHeloc IW
appointment In said OiICe and were 81 dppVnleL
or hy reason elhCent service rendered III colecupn
with the Tenth CENSUS were employed at the EIe'en
Census without passing such examination ahd WIG
have served therein sten0grapheIs, chefs Oh dV
sions clerks, cCpysts, special agents or computes
for period OF less IMAM one year. ana VINO sIl@.
have obtained certificate OF proficiency nom tne
suucrnte ndent Of the Census. shall be ehglDIe ~
apuointment without examination III Fthe CIfssiHe"
deiartmental service of the Government, ETC.
In other words any one having taken the lowes'
examination-herc expressed as the general eAshu'
naton"-ls hereafter upon having obtained the GER
tncaie Of the superintendent OF the Census TO ~
placed in any Office within the classified service
which il may bo the good luck OF his political baiSeF
to secure FOR him. 1t turns, for all practical par
noses the superintendent Of the Census lhto mem
her oi the eva service Commission. IL Hh thfeaen
likewise with dismissal everj clerk now III the TsS'l
lied service whose place Is desired by a poiucA
MACE hunter with sufficient pull 10 enect such
i ,Ini, sal The friends OF an honest CNH ocf'IVs
| win moi be slow IN detecting the real character VI
Mr IIumb's proposition. Closely eAanlhed II
notb;ng more nor les than All attempt at diversion
INTO the field OF political spoil, and a. such deserves
he killed promptly by vote Of tile senate.