New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-18
VIOLATIONS OF THE Law.
JOHN b. RILEY SAYS THEY WERE PRAcTIsED
UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Frs IN 1889 AND 1890

Ems IN 1903 AND 1871
Albany July 1I-Senators O'Connor and Saxton
were the two members Of the Senate subcommittee
present when the Civil Service inquiry was con-
tinued this morning. When the session opened
Professor C. A Collin stated at the outset that he
thought he could not spend his time better than by
attending the sessions of the committee and becom-
ing familiar with the various suggestions offered
The Governor. the State Civil Service Commission.
the Revision Commission and the Civil Service Re-
form Association. he said were practically agreed
TO the extension OF competitive examinations to
the utmost practicable limit.
Senator Saxton stated that the purpose OF the In
quiry not to bring out violations but to enable
the committee to report to the next Legislature
what amendments necessary to perfect the
law.
George W. McAneny. secretary Of the New-York
State Civil Service Reform Association. submitted
as evidence vouminous statistics compiled by him
from the records of the State Civil Service Com
mission. the substance Of which was published
several months ago. These statistics show the
transfers. exemptions and the classification and
number OF positions In the State service
Mr.. Sherwin afterward testified that In his
opinion any Civil Service law which did not pro-
vide penalties for violations would be Intellectual In
its operations.
william Potts. who was chief examiner of the
New-York State Civil Service Commission from
June to December in 1887 then testified that there
were violations OF the law In his term.
At the afternoon session John b. Riley, OF Platts-
burg. who is now United States Consul at Ottawa
Canada, was the first witness. He the chief
examiner Of the State Civil Service Commission
from December 1887. until February 1898. when he
said he removed by the present Commission
He testified that In there 81 places in the
state service which were filed in violation of the
Civil Service law. The attention Of the heads of
the State Departments was called to these viola
lions and requests were made that the law be com.
piled with. After this time the Commission had
Informed the heads OF departments that II was
proposed to a more rigid enforcement OF the
law, although the Commission thought II was best
to proceed slowly In extending the enforcement OF
the law. About 90 per cent Of all OF the VIOLATIONS
corrected In the competitive schedule.
Mr.. Riley, continuing testified that the atten-
ton Of the Commission which succeeded the Sickels
Commission in 1890 also called to existing Vlo-
latlons Of the law In the competitive scheduie
would take an examination. If any failed some
times they were re-examined. He had no Know,
edge OF an appointee being discharged AFTER ne nad
failed to pass examination. sometimes .is
inauired into. The change was generally made IN
order to evade the law. The witness thoughs tl,e
practice OF annually allowing the heads OF ot us
dcpartments a lump for clerical services nau
lion OF the civil Service law. over an hour was
spent in discussing paragraph IN the ast aLan ,
report of the civil Service Commission Iec!a. .ls
that many OF the violations when existed AZ Una.
time were due TO the neglect OF nuy on va. , p
~ n former employe in not providing for eNaih'ha-
lions in State Institutions and In other way,
MIR Riley taking this as referring 10 h'i'e"'
emphaticaly denied IT, -, ~. conr,,ss,on
Chief Examiner Carmody. OF me ,Sn. q, ua e
was then sworn and In effect stated that IL Was
ro, tho intention to charge Mr.. Riley WIN NEXT
~ duty The civil Service Commissioners p'a0"
callv made the same statement.