Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-19
tify men with fewer faults or as many

merits?"
Survival of the Fittest.
Mr.. Simon Wolf was the next speaker
and he made ringing plea for civil service
in every branch of the government. This
is an age" he said.E:'o the survival of the
fittest. AS a nation we have reached that
altitude in public affairs from which we
can clearly the past and, profiting by
it, come to definite conclusions as to the
best actions for the future. If there ever
was time in our history when the spols
system was necessary that time has pass
ed. Even the cityfof New York has recog-
nized that important fact" Here Mr..
VOLTS remarks We're interrupted by en-
thusiastic applause There was time in
the history of the country, and it may
come again-but may heaven forefend-
when we had to- build outwardly; when
enemies SURF ounded us, and when the La
ton was confronted with thousand dam
| gers. That time is past. We must now
| build inwardly and look to the publication
| of that which our forefathers achieved in
| the stress of weather. In the lottery of
chance there must be no blanks drawn.
We must draw our checks on the bank Of
would for moment employ in his private
business an incompetent workman.
College Boys.
1.-THE speaker who has just preceded me
| speaks slightingly of the college boys. The
records Of the late war prove that the col
| lege boys were the bravest, strongest and
| most patriotic both sides of the Poto-
| mac. Give the college boys a chance. You
will never find a graduate from one of our
| great universities who will not lit himself
Tor any business II given the opportunity
There is a curious idea abroad that the
| civil service is merely developing the coll
| lege men. 1t is not SO. 1t Is the best test
OF character and competency that can be
| found. When man knows that he will be
| discharged if he is Incompetent he will
| make an extra effort to become competent
Under the present system any hoodlum, if
| backed by q Senator or Representative
| may control the destinies of "a nation or
| may administer the affairs of the District
| We must tell the nation that we have in
cur municipal offices men who are perfect
| ly competent and who have retained their
position by their merits, and not by the
| fact that they once worked for this or that
| man politically. What man in business
would discharge his clerk on the mere ap-
! plication of a Senator or Representative?
| 1t would be kindness to the members of
| Congress to relieve them from this sort of
patronage. 1t would give them more time
to spend on local legislation, and there
would be more business done on District
| day. The question is wholly within the
| purview of the board of trade. Let it 20
out tonight that at the fountain head Of
government you nave started the bail roll
ing IN the direction of efficient, honest ad-
ministration of public affairs"
Substantial Interests.
Mr.. L. NJ. Saunders made a brief talk in
| favor or the resolution. I'VE have not yet
touched, he said, upon the practical ques-
| ton which affects the board of trade and
| the substantial interests of the District of
Columbia. There is no difference. practi-
| cally, which party is in power but it does
AFFECT us as business men whether the
$4,000 government clerks shall remain in
Washington undiSturbed in office and shall
| buy homes here. 1t was very apparent to
| me when L started in business in Washing
ton IN 1881 that because of the civil service
| law the clerks had confidence and were
| buying homes. 1t makes but little differ
ence whether these men can calculate the
| distance TO the moon or not, but it is very
| important to us that this army of men
should become citizens and should invest
| their money in real estate here"
MIR. Wakes Contention.
Mr.. c. n. Wake asked Mr.. Warner if the
board of trade could properly discuss the
question, and the chair promptly ruled
| that the board had entire cognizance of
| the matter. MIR. Wake then made a brief
| speech, in which, while he supported the
| civil service law in general, he argued that
the relation between the law and the board
OF trade was so remote that it could only
| be reached by a most sinuous and doubt
ful road. lie was i'll favor, he said, OF every
| member working for the extension as an
| individual, but not as board
No Opposition.
rs there anybody here who is opposed
| to this resolution demanded Major H. A.
| Hall. The query brought forth a general
| laugh. 1T appears to me-" he continued,
| that We are wasting great deal of time
| discussing what seems to be very one
sided topic. 1t looks as though we were
unanimous in favor of the resolution. If
| there Is anybody here who has anything
| to say against it let US hear him."
There was silence in the hall for about a
minute. A subdued laugh ran among the
| members, which was Checked as President
| Warner pounded the table with his gavel
| and said: The chair does not see any one
| rising to accept the invitation"
There were calls for the question on all
| sides and the resolution was again read
| When the question was put, there was a
great chorus of ayes followed by three
| scattered calls of mo- on the west side of
| the hail. So tremendous was the prepon-
| derance that the opponents of the resolu-
| ton did not even call for division.
Carrying 1t Into Eject.
When the resolution had been declared
| adopted, Or. A. L. Pardon, on whose mo-
ton it tabled at the annual meeting,
arose with resolution intended to carry
| the action of the board into practical eff
| feet, providing for committee of three
lawyers and two Iaymen to frame a law
| for the extension of the service to the Dis
| trict offices. Mr.. }. IL. Ralston had sub
stitute to offer, which contemplated a
| larger committee to cooperate with an
equal number of members of the Civil Ser
vice Reform Association, and STIMULATING
that the joint committee thus formed
should consult with the District Commits
SionerS.
Mr.. Parker said that while he favored
such a movement he had information to
| the effect that it was entirely unnecessary;
that the President, under his authority to
act on the general law, now has the matter
of this very extension before him.
But he has decided that he has no pow
er to do this interrupted Dr. Pardon.
Il do not understand" continued Mr.
| Parker. My information is recent and re-
| liable that the President still contemplates
| this extension. / am afraid If we rely on
| new legislation at this short session We
| shall not obtain the extension We had
| better bring influence to bear on the Pres
| ident and Attorney General"
Presidents Position.
Mr.. John Joy Edison said that he had in
| formation coming direct from the Presi
dent that he still has the matter before
| him, and the question with him is whether
| he has the right under the law. 1t is a
question, he said, of constitutionality, of
sovereignty in the District. Mr.. Edison
thought that the general government has
| such sovereignty, and if the President can
bring his mind to bear that way he will