The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-16
of the question whether or not the civil
service law applying to this office.
THEY GOT INFORMATION.
Civil Service People Charge a Conspiracy {
n.

Civil Service People Charge q Conspiracy 60
Evade the Law.
During the campaign last autumn. when
Lucius B. Swift William Dudley Foulke
and the other four Indiana politicians who
have a corner on political virtue. were
stumping the State for Cleveland and
REFORM" a few of their personal friends
tried TO persuade them that they would
find another Democratic administration
greater failure In the line of civll-service
reform than was that of 1884, but
these well-meaning gentlemen were
so full of reform knowledge that
they were not open to information,
TO say nothing of persuasion. When they
were given such a black eye IN Burke's ap-
pointment. after Cleveland had been fully
advised of mis- character as an avOwed
spokesman. they learned something. albeit
1t was taught with n club. These friendly
advisers will be pleased to learn that
Messrs. Foulke and Swift have had another
access of information. The fact that they
were investigating the Terre Haute out
rage has been detailed in the Journal
Yesterday Mr.. Swift returned TO the city
and wrote out this statement for publica.
tion:
There is no question but that conspiracy
was formed weeks ago by gang or political
buccaneers. who claim to be Democrats. 10 get
possession OF the Terre Haute postoihce and
I'LL II up with their own men and cheat the civil
service law. John Lamb and Crawford Fair
banks were concerned III this conspiracy. Money
was offered TO Postmaster Greiner II he would
resign, and he was at The same time given to un-
derstand that IL he refused. sensational charges
would he made against him. ii rry as last as
they could, the clyil-service examination was
likely 10 overtake them before they could get the
change made. Charges which had no founda-
ton, and which there was no attempt 10 prove,
were made against the local examining
board and week was gained by seeur-
ton. In 'n'Vss This Senator voorhees, a-',a was
engaged. That fixed IL for last Saturday,
and the commission 70 the new postmaster did
not arrive until last Friday. He undertook TO
take possession NJ once by force, and afterward
disobeyed the order of ftne Department. at Washing
ton, directing him TO wait until saturday night.
The keys and the Office were not turned over to
him until Saturday night and until after the ex-
animation had been held. Friday be caused to
eept three. a notice of dismissal from the serv-
ice, and on Saturday morning he made an In
efectual attempt to keep them out of the
oi1ce by force. Although we had seen plenty
of absolute dismissals In writing, and signed
by him, yet yesterday he told Mr. toulke and
myself that he had only dismissed two l men
The motive of these operations was confessed
on every hand. From the beginning the openly
announced object of all engaged in this business
was TO I'LL up the Office with their men, and get
ahead of the civiLservice law. This was not de-
MED up to the last moment. and Is not nov. sat
urday night Postmaster Donham said to the reg
istry and money y-order clerks: ''I interpret this
law under the old spols system. TO the vctors
Bropny and Mr. Messick successors of these
clerksl right, who have stood shoulder to shoul-
der with me, through the last campaign. not TO
give them places" Donham was chairman OF
his party county committee.
Yesterday afternoon, in the interview with
Mr.. Foulke and me. he said frankly that they
felt that II they could set possession OF the Office
before the examination that they could make
these changes, and that was the reason why
they were In snch hurry; He further said that
III h0 an int an u Ia
friend. and he was very anxious to get them in;
also, that ne was opposed to the oivil-serytce
law and wanted to avoid the effect of IL. This is
q fine specimen of an officer to have charge OF
the execution OF the civil-service law. He is the
pliant tool OF Voorhees, and Lamb and absO-
lntely under their control and direction. In
the course of these operations the law and
the regulations have been shameessly cheated,
swindled and violated. The. administration
will soon be in possession OF all the facts.
Representing the Indiana Civil-servfce Reform
Association we have forwarded a report to the
aRe aRe s fs ppo an
ceiyed it. The closing paragraph of the report is
as follows
1--WE feel that the civiiservice law is on trial in
this Office The law should be in the hands of
those who respect it and who win give it an
honorable and fair enforcement In this case it
not respect IL, but who is its open and avowed'
enemy. The opportunities for evasion and nulli-
ilchtion in the hands of such man are too well
known to need statement here"
There Is no question about the people of Terre
Haute. They do not approve OF this Voorhees,
onslauShtupon the civilservice law. Once moro
President Cleveland will have TO decide between
O group OF the most vicious politicians and the
people. He will not be in ignorance of the facts.
was repeatedly told IN Terre Haute by Demo
cratic citizens that II the President would
sirens ngthen himself in the estimation OF the peo-
pie there ne had never done before, all he has
TO do Ia 10 choke of this gang
Civil-service Commissioner Johnston will have
to bear his share OF responsibility for this
action. His attitude since be has been upon the
nh
kind of assaults upon the law. He does not rep
resent the cause of civil-service reform, even
the proper administration of the merit system.
lie must recognize this. and IL he ia honora-
BILE man he Will get OF from the commission and
give place to such Democrat as John +. An
drew.