The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-21
NO SOLDIERS NEEDED
Unless they Served the Con-
federate Cause.
SECRETARY SMITHS new RULE,
Veterans Displaced by Political
Friends in Violation of Law.
Charges viii BIO Mado and an
Investigation by Congress VIII Fol-
low.

WAsuINaToN, D, O., July 2O,-The
manner in which Hoke Smith Is con-
Quoting the interior department and
especially the pension bureau Is calling
forth protests all over the country. The
yarions orders he has issued since taxi
lug charges have all been in the line OF
partisan interest and an invasion Of
civil service law in letter and spirit.
The brutal manner in which old
soldiers have been treated by having
their pensions stopped has aroused an
indignation that will sooner or later
find expression in some forclble way,
1t Ia said that before the next Con-
gress has got very far along the Repub-
licans will take some method OF express.
ing their disapproval OF the conduct Of
more than one department OF the gov
eminent by introducing resolutions
asking for investigation OF the methods
employed by the heads Of the depart
ments. There is no likelihood Of such
resolutions being adopted, but they
will serve the purpose of letting the
people know that the discharge Of
veteran clerks for the purpose Of max
ing places for Democratic hangers-on
from disloyal states Is not approved by
the party which has given the old SOL
der the only recognition he has ever
obtained at the hands OF the govern
ment
MERIT DOES NOT COUNT.
By his recent order Smith has done
away with the merit system in promo
tons altogether, There is no plausible
reason given for it. The obvious object,
however. is to break down the existing
barriers to the elevation of Democratic
~iavorites. BY abolishing the board Of
promotion established by Secretary
Noble at tho suggestion Of President
Harrison, Hoke Smith has laid himself
and his associates open to the charge
that the men they have picked out for
promotion could not pass tho COMPETE
tive examinations. This system was
honestly carried out by his predecessor
and found to work admirably, but the
new administration, without trying it,
declares it impracticable and unfair.
With this barrier out Of the way
Smith can lead his southern brethren
up into the higher pastures OF the gov
eminent preserves. BY the abolish.
ment Of this system no has been able
to make reductions In the number and
salaries Of the clerks. The efficiency
standard has been laid aside and the
record shows that the greater portion
OF the clerks reduced and discharged on
the ground Of economy have been Re.
publican veterans. In the pension
office -hirty.four Republicans had their
salaries reduced and t~wenty.eight DEM
ocrats we're promoted. A comparison
OF efficiency and service shows that
those promoted stand in the ratio, of
about fifty to one hundred to those who
were reduced. Tho length OF the ser-
vice OF the latter averaged over sixteen
years, while the length Of serviceo Of the
Democrats averaged but some eight
years.
One point which Republicans will ask
to have investigated Is the utter disre-
gard shown by Secretary Smith for the
clause OF the revised statutes of the I'm
tied States which compels q preference
10 no given to honorably discharged
'iers and sailors whore the ability
Il business capacity needed for tho
discharge OF their duties are possessed,
and which also provides that where re-
auctions are made in the forces Of the
executive departments these same sol.
diers and sailors. rs well ns widows and
orphans of honorablyd discharged soldiers
and sailors, shall be retained in prefer
ence to other clerks.