Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-05
More Concerning Substitutes.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Since Veritas' assurance that it was not his
intention to haul Secretary Carlisle over the
coais the business Of considering the respective
claims 'for Efficient service of various would
be collectors and chefs Of division may now 60
on with more or less serenity in the big south
rooms on the second floor of the Treasury
department; Veritas explains the direc-
ton OF his purpose, but II he would
direct his efforts toward the PRONUNCIATION
OF the truth as well as to assertions Of what he
thinks he knows 1t would not mislead outsiders
am not an ex-substitute nor a self-cousti-
tuied champion Of clerks of that class, but
happen to possess some positive knowledge of a
system which has been sometimes abused. it's
true, but not oftener than is any other one
branch OF the departmental service.
!. know personally not less than four ex.
substitutes who were duly certified from the
civii service eligible list, and after some months
their appointment to regular clerkship, followed
IN due course, in all respects in full accord with
the letter and the spirit Of the law. know the
names Of not less than ten clerks who were first
certified as substitutes from the eligible list of
the civil service commission, and have yet to
hear the name Of one person filing clerks
place, and known and paid as a substitute, who
was given such place without having first
passed competitive civil service examination.
2. Anybody that has the necessary infu-
ence" would make use Of it to better purpose
than to do full time and work for only two
thirds pay. II tho influence were strong
enough the person would be appointed to a
place as private secretary and soon transferred
to a regular clerkshp. II not strong enough
for that mode OF procedure he would be given
a place on the messenger or laborer roll with
promotions in sight more or less rapid to
correspond with the strength of the pull"
g. The civil service commission does certify
persons for substitute clerks; it does or did
until two or three weeks ago, when it received
a letter stating that no more substitute clerks
would be called for, since there was no provis-
ion for their employment after the 30th OF
une, 1888 but that those already on the list would
De provided for as far as opportunity offered.
Z. substitute clerk is not dummy in
the sense of . man Of straw or . figurehead.
He accepts such position with his ewes open
knowing that it will be tedious season Of pro-
baton with the environments that make Jack
q dull boy" for be is not allowed leave nor
sick leave and has given up his chances on the
list OF elisibles. He has jumped overheard, SO
to speak, out Of sight OF land, sustained only
by the assurance Of the appointing powers that
no competent and efficient substitute has ever
yet failed to be permanently appointed, sooner
or later-usually later:
3. Substitutes arc not borne upon the same
rolls with their principals, but what Of it?
6. The substitute signs a loose receipt lin
pay roll vernacular), which is filed by the chief
clerk Of his division
2. There is no injustice done to any people
or set OF people, clerks or otherwise, by the ap-
polntment Of substitutes who we're regularly
These positions have not been pre-
empted; they do not belong to would-be clerks
who have never held them. 1t is not unlikely
that the new appointment clerk, sustained by
Divine Providence and the Secretary and the
secretary and the civil service COM
mission. will temper zeal with justice, admin
iStering wisely. neither vexing the spirit of the
law nor violating its letter.
Recommending to Veritas q diligent perrnal
OF that valuable document the last civil service
report, and prayerful consideration Of its teach
ings Gree on application, bound in light blue
paper, city hall, west wing), close, just plain
Truth,