New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-15
TWO VIEWS ON CIVIL SERVICE.
WHO SHOULD CONTROL LOCAL BOARDS ?
PARTISAN AND XoNPARusAN. ORGANIZATION:
DEFENDED.

PARTISAN AND NoNPARusAN. ORGANIZATIONS
DEFENDED.
Two reports from the committee appointed last
spring by the Republican organization OF the NAlst
Assembly District for the purpose Of investigating the
administration Of the Civil Service laws were sub
mitted at meeting Of the organization held at the
Republican headquarters. No. los East Fifty-nlnth
ST., Inst evening. John Proctor Clarke presided
The majority report, which was signed by John
Proctor Clarke d. Morgan ldreth, tr., and Alexander
7. Mason, three of the five members Of the committee
was submitted by Mr.. Idreth, and began by quoting
the resolution which formed the basis of their inves
CATION. This resolution protests against the mode of
conducting examinations adopted by the local civil
Service Board, and earnestly requests the authorities
to devise means for compelling 1t TO give practical
instead Of theoretical examinations
The report says that the committee Is largely
indebted to Theodore Roosevelt, chairman OF the
National Civil Service Commission. who furnished II
exhaustive statement OF hhe administration OF the
laws In question. The report finds that the objection
TO rhe methods OF examinations conducted by the
local board unfounded that no witness questioned
in any way the fairness OF che markings OF any paper
and the report concludes that the questions pro-
pounded were Qualified to discover the capacity OF
The applicant, and that the markings were' fair.
As to the charges Of partsanship against the local
board the majority OF the committee Is Of the opniln
that whatever fault exists Is attributable the par
tisan activity of Democratic members of the Board
and the inactivity and lack of interest the part OF
the Republican members. Mr. Clarke and his two
colleagues believe that the only practical and fair
way OF adjusting the matter would b. by provision to
the effect that the control of the Board should be
entrusted to the political party ut the time conducting
and responsible for the conduct Of the affairs " the
government"
The other members Of the committee were i. W.
Bloomingdale and Charles A. Hess. Mr.. Hess sub
mittcd report of his own in which he explained that
he agreed with the majority that there had been no
evidence furnished showing that examinations had
been unfair or unjust, hut he nevertheless believed
that the law impracticabe and should be amended
1t not expected of ettercarrers that they should
know geometry, algebra, astronomy and geography
The examinations should be entirely practical and the
examination papers should be sealed and the seal re-
main unbroken unt the :apers were brought into the
presence Of the examiners and those to be examined
Mr. Hess said that the prevailing idea was that the
Civil Service examiners should get out Of politics.
f. W. Bloomingdale, the other member Of the com
mtee signed neither report Both reports were laid
over until the next regular meeting, which viii be
held On the evening of the second Tuesday In Jan
uary, when q larger attendance than appeared last
evening is hoped fOc. Alexander e.. Fske, the newly
elected treasurer rendered his resignation which
accepted. John Proctor Clarke made stirring speech
accepting his reelection president Of the orsaniL-