The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11
MILLER DOESN'T KNOW.
He Hadn't Interested Himself in the Civ
Service Law.

ne haon't Interested Himself IN the Civil
Service Law.
Attorney-General Miller came TODAY be-
fore the house committee on civil service
reform, which is pursuing on inquiry into
the conduct of certain federal officials in
Baltimore. He was asked whether two
employees IN the marshal's Office (Biddle-
man and Suite n in Baltimore, who were
mentioned IN. Commissioner RoOsevelt's
report as ha' ing been guilty OF violation
OF lhe clvi'4 service law, had been indicted
or were ill in the governments service.
ne repl led that he had no knowledge that
their T.emOval had been requested, and no
recoT nmendatiOn had been made to
mr. that proceedings be taken
Lainst them. Within q very few
tays past a copv of Mr. Roosevelts
I report had been sent to him. The marshal
himself appointed the men and he (the at
torney -general) had nothing to DO with
them except as fer as he controlled the
marshals. If his witness attention
had been called to the case and
he had been satisfied that the men bad
been guilty OF willful violation of the law,
he should have directed their prosecution.
Soon after the investigation in Baltimore
the marshal had written that nothing had
been developed against any OF his officers
that demanded further investigation.
Witness could not be expected
to be personally cOGnizant of all
violations of the law, even violations of
the civil service law. The district at
torneys called upon him only when they
felt the need of advisory direction. These
answers were returned to questions iu-
tended to ascertain whether or not the
attorney general was the proper person TO
have account in the case. Continuing, the
witness said that no question had been
submitted to him relative to the Baltimore
whether or not PARTICIPATION
In them constituted a violation of the law.
He declined to give any opinion TO the
committee as 10 the Legality of the pro-
ceedings, as he had not examined the
case and was present only TO answer
questions of fact. He did not know for
what purpose the primaries were held.
When Civil Service Commissioner
Roosevelt was asked whv the attorney
general was not promptly notified of the
Baltimore investigation he turned to his
letter book and produced the following
copy:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 1891.
The Attorney General:
SIR-By direction of this commission | have
the honor TO transmit herewith a copy
OF Commissioner Roosevelts report of
sn investigation made by him at Baltimore in
respect 20 alleged violations of the provisions
of the civil service law relating to political as
sessments by persons in the official service OF the
United States. copy has also been sent TO
the president, the secretary of the treasury and
the postmastergeneral. The report will not be
made public except with the consent OF the
! president. Very respectfully,
HUGH :. THOMPSON,
Acting President.
81 remember perfectly well sending
these reports" said Mr.. Roosevelt. 81
marked them confidential, so that
they would not be given to the
/ press. sent one TO the at
torney-general also. II the attorney
general did not receive his report it was
not the fault of the commission. | made
no recommendations ior the prosecutions
| at all; testified before the commission"