The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-25
The spoils system In the Indian Onice.

Some very good friends Of the red man
have been asserting OF late that the old
spells system is rampant In the Bureau Of
Indian Affairs. under Mr.. CLEvELASD's Adj
ministration. The term "spoils system is
vague. but assuming 1t to mean whatever
is opposed to. or Is not included In. the
Chinese system. 1t seems to us that the
assertion Is correct. The spells system is
recognized and, as will presently be seen.
even boosted OF In the Indian ONCE.
One practical proof which has been cited
OF this fact Is that within eight months af-
ter Commissioner BROWNING took office. he
Topped OF the political heads Of four out Of
five inspectors left over from the HARRI-
SON Administration. Why he allowed that
fifth man to remain Ia not explained; but
for aught We know he may by this time
have gone the way Of the other four;
and In any case Mr.. BROWNING cannot
fairly be accused OF sparing the judi
cious axe. further proof that these
removals were due to the spells system Ia
that one Of the beheaded learned on In
quiry that he was removed. not upon
charges Of misconduct or inefficiency. but
because another man wanted his place. 1t
Il true that all the new appolntees may also
DO entirely competent and efficient, and
may DO ADLER men than those whom they
have superseded: yet II they are. In addi-
ton. more sympathetic with the views.
policy. and aims Of the present Commits
sionsr. their removal has clearly been In
accordance with the traditional American
custom known as the spells system.
But without going further into the ques-
ton Of actual removals and appointments.
. special proof relied upon for the fact that
the spells system Is hourishing under the
present Administration. Is found In the fact
that Com missioner BROWNING has openly
and unblushingly asked for a relief from
the dsleterious operation Of the civil SER
vice rules In one particular. where he
shows that these rules are doing more
harm than good. In his official report. under
the heading Modification OF Civil Ser
vice Rules" he argues against an IN
wise provision made by the late Republican
Administration. 1t appears that through
an executive order issued under Mr.. HAIR
RIsoR In the summer OF 1891. the operation
of the Civil Service law was extended to
physicians. teachers, mAtrons. and school
supeEintendents In the Indian service. In
Guiding among the last-named officers those
superintendents who are made responsible
under heavy bonds for the finances and
property Of their schools. Mr.. BRowNNo's
views on this subject are as follows:
- esrIas.nsa fTom the Civil Service comnissiOs
% names on the eligible list gives no Information
whatever to the capacity OF the Psrsont ssTIiasd
for soadueting business Affairs. Aad question n any
system Of written eompstitiSs examinations could be
relied to furnish Information Of sush character
In q the absolute necessity that EuPsriatsadsa
sf bonded schools especially the large A0nFsssTvAti0A
sehsslA ahoad be men Of unusual force OF character
AID business eAPAesI. aud In view Of the inAdquAsy
81 . civil service examination TO indicate such
suAAneAtiSa. l An VI the OPinisn that the
soOA % the service viii be promoted By renewing
bsndsd school sapsTAtsRdsnts from the operation st
she civil Service Law, that such superintsndsnts
may BE- Sslsetsd solely by reason OF their illness
49, atIhesn Ahd peculiar duties which will he imposed
spOa them. instead Of being gagged By their in
pedagogical sxamAaiio1"
Mr.. BRowERo's proposal to diminish the
operation OF the civil service rules must be
the more distressing to the friends OF the
Chinese system from the almost saerilegious
way In which he speaks OF the inability OF a
civil service examination. or in fact Of any
system Of competitive examination, to fur
nish tho most important information re-
quired In getting the best man for a place.
~ euu " mo tiouDaos the NON hOAh
SMITH has expressly approved and sus-
tained the views OF his subordinate. not
only as to the appointment OF bonded super
intendents. but a. 70 the defects Of civil ser
vice examinations in their case:
"Ths oonHisseasr stAIss that the ordiEAry civil
SERVES sISinA1oA asss RSs farHish PrSssE tsst OF
ths atasss 81 applicants f0s these positiOas fully
ASrss Sith aim IN this Visw. So Tar knos 4,
ths prSstss HRdsT 1aJ SslFssulAtsd sehe0l systs
ssseg gapsFntshdsata throagh sompstitiVs sxsmiaA-
a0n- TAs mere tsohhieAl slsdEs WAish fuEAlshss
sApAsity stsAa siEl ssEVaes sxAniAAtsa tAis
tiEsly dsOaSiEaas she Qualities Ts9gFsa Il en-
sisns Aeh00l supaFtntsAaanI
-E1sssuys AAility, l0EsA sAAEaotsE sAPAsiay -
manage asasE sstAIalsAla saeh ISAlisiss VeEtA
iaanitsly asEs y sapsrntsR4snt tAAa tssbAl-
81 lASSaAllsa Sasg e AiEhaE ssasE tAAA
s..-ias kaSFisasA-
sseEstab HOKH sAuEz psOessdsd % sOm-