New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-12
NO POLITICS IN THE BOARD,
MR.. RoOSEvELT's EXPLANATIONS.
HE DOES NOT CONSIDER A MUGwUNP A REPUB-
I1CAN BY ANY MEANS,

L1CAN BY ANY MEANS.
Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt was again
on the witness stand yesterday before the committee
Of XXIst Assembly District Republicans. All the
members Of the committee present together with
the members Of the Local Board Of Civil Service
amners. The charge that applicants for examination
and promotion were asked theoretical instead OF
practical questions first taken up by the Com
missioner. He read questions asked at examinations
Of copyists stenographers ypewrters, leercarricrs
engineers etc. All the questions seemed to be en-
trely practical and appropriate At this point John
Proctor Clarke said that IL had to his knowedg
that within the last eighteen months absurd Consti-
tutonal questions had been asked OF applicants for
the lower grades Of service. Mr. Roosevelt replied
that such questions might have been asked, but in
all those cases the applicants had been previously
advised that they would be asked II here cropped
that the spelling Of the verb "envelop" with final
"e" had been declared correct by members
Of the local board. Assemblyman d. Morgan
Hlldreth, jr. here asked regarding the
holdover Democrats. Mr.. Roosevelt replied that no
holdover Democrats retained except those having
technical knowledg, such tea-tasters." Continu-
Ing. Mr. Roosevelt said that the Commissioners had no
power to inquire into any cases Of removal but they
had asked to have the law amended that the Com
mission could take some cognizance of cases OF no
movals for political purposes. II he could get proof
Of some such removal he would take the case to the
Secretary Of the Treasury. He turned at this point
the newspaper present and said that he wanted to
tell them that politics did not come into the compo-
siion Of the local. board If Captain Perce the Dem
ocrat should happen to die no would appoint Demo
crat to his place and II Republican member should
happen to die he would put Republican IN the VA
cancy He asked IL he considered a Mugwump
to be q Republican.
al most emphahcally DON'T" he exclaimed, "but
understand me- would let the lowllest Of the Lords
creatures have his rights"
Mr.. Roosevelt then made statement Of the politi-
cal changes in employs of the Government since Mr..
Cleveland became President Six thousand persons were
then in the Departments at Washington and mostly
Republicans. OF tIase 100 died, resigned or were
removed under Mr. Clcveland's Administrations and
their places filed through Civil Service examina-
lions chiefly by Democrats. There were STILL how
ever, about 900 Republicans in office when Mr. liar
rson became President Mr.. Cleveland having extended
the classified service to about 1000 Offices At the
close Of his Administration the political complexion OF
the incunbents about 5000 Arthur Republicans,
5000 Cleveland Democrats-the bulk thus remaining
Republicans. Under Mr. HaIrsOn's Administration.
asserted Mr. Roosevelt nothing lllts partisan proscrip
tion had existed appointments to places Under tho
Civil Service rules had been made without the slightest
reference to politics. In the posoffces, where the
Commission had less direct influences the result under
Mr. Cleveland not satisfactory, clean sweeps hay
ing been made at Baltimore, indianapolis and other
places. In Surveyor Beattie's department OF the
Custom House 1t shown in tbs Rafferty, that
general political assessments had taken place.
The case OF L. II. Caldwell taken up. Mr.
Mason one OF the members of the committee, said that
Mr. Comstock had admitted him TO examination after
the proper time. Mr. COmstock denied this indignant
~ Captain Pelrce addsd his testimony. Mr.. Roose
welt also said that this differed from the Spencer
In That no accusation Of Misrepresentation had been
made. In this case the examination was special
one in which applicants were received at tbs last
minute.
Before the committee adj burned Mr.. Roosevelt said
have a personal interest in this case AZ / have had
other because II started by the organization
to which originally belonged. and because those
buttons an outrags me personally. / thought
that / doing my best American citizen TO
carry out the ideas OF the Republican party and that
was entitled to the backing Of all reputable Repub
cans"
Mr.. Roosevelt went To Washington last night and he
will return Monday in time for the next hearing, at
Q p m. of that day.