Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-01

the classified service. Thirteen Of these
were afterward regularly examined and
appointed through competitive examina-
lions, three were appointed to places in
the uncla ssified service and four were re-
moved Much difficulty was experienced
with the postmaster in connection with
some of these employees illegally appointed to
whom he had allowed salaries in excess of
those given to other clerks who had enter
ed the Office under an examination of high
er grade, the result being practically to de-
fraud the persons who had come in upon
the higher competitive examinations of
portions of the salary to which they were
entitled which We're given to the men re-
ferred to who had been illegally appointed
The commission at last succeeded in hay-
Ing this rectified. but only after it had mott
fed the postmaster that it would ask that
all the surplus. salary be stopped out Of
his own allowance If matters We're not
righted.
Evading the Law.
In November, 1893, charges were made of
illegal appointments from the Interior De-
partment in the Indian school at Chilocco.
1t appeared that under the peculiar con-
ditions of employment of teachers, assistant
teachers and other employees of the Indian
schools the Department of the Interior
could practically nullify the order of the
President classifying the Indian educational
service If the Secretary's action In refer
ence to the positions at Chiocco of teach
ers had been allowed to stand. The posi-
ton of teacher is classified, but the posi-
ton of assistant teacher Is unclassified.
The commission consented to its being so
regarded, with the purpose Of allowing the
employment of Indians in this capacity
whenever practicable, and upon an under
standing with the Secretary of the Interior
that the assistant teacher was not to be
employed to perform the duties Of teacher.
as this would be an admission to the place
of teacher, and thus a violation Of the
rules governing the appointment of teach
ers. 1t appears that at the end of the last
fiscal year there were two positions Of
teacher in the Chilocco school. these posi-
lions being vacant, and no teacher ever
having held them. With the new year
these positions were abolished and In their
places were created. SO far as 1t appears.
having the same salaries, two positions of
assistant teacher which were unclassifed
and which We're filled by appointments
from the outside. One of the people ap-
pointed to one of these offices was the niece
Of the commissioner Of Indian affairs. In
the opinion of the commission there was
no reason why the change of teacher to
assistant teacher should have been made.
BY simply changing the designation teach
er to assistant teacher 1t would be possible
for the Department Of the Interior to re-
move practically the whole Of the Indian
service now classified into the unclassified
service. On the 18th of February a letter
was received by the Indian bureau from
Secretary Smith stating that after care
full consideration of the subject he had
come to the conclusion that there was no
sufficient reason for distinction between
teachers and assistant teachers Of Indian
schools and that hereafter the commits
sioner of Indian affairs would please re-
quest from the civil service commission
certifications for persons to I'LL positions as
assistant teachers, except always In cases
where Indians might be found qualified for
that position.
The Gaddis Case.
The dismissal of Eugene r. Gaddis from
the Treasury Department is discussed at
some length. The report of Mr.. Roose-
| welt on this case says:
ITO sum up, then, so far as this particu-
lar case is concerned. it seems that. first,
the Secretary of the Treasury takes the
position Of declining to hold that 1t Is a
violation of civil service law to remove
man for political reasons; second. the Sec
retay further takes the position that If
there is such a violation of the law the
head of the department will not provide
any remedy, but will leave the matter to
the courts, and. third. the charges upon
which 1t is now alleged that Gaddis was
removed, whether true or false, were ad-
removal in order to justify it. In view of
the attitude Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury I recommend that the commission
earnestly request the President to amend
general rule I to bring 1t into accord with
general rule g. section 7. making 1t pro-
vide for the dismissal from office Of any
appointing or nominating officer who dis
eliminates in favor Of or against any sub
ordinate because of his political or relig
ious opinions or affiliations. In connection
with what has been shown in this case as
to the numerous promotions and reduc-
tons in the Treasury Department. alleged
with offer of proof to be for political rea-
sons. I further recommend that the Presi-
dent be asked to adopt a rule authorizing
the commission to exercise supervision
over promotions and reductions. and at
least to provide that no discrimination for
political reasons enters into them"
In closing. Mr. Roosevelt says: I'm my
opinion. the history of the Gaddis case
shows very clearly the need of adopting a
rule which shall provide for the filing of de-
tailed charges whenever a clerk is removed,
the clerk to be allowed to see these charges
and have them published, II he so desires
while the commission should be given am
pie authority to investigate and report, If.
in its opinion, the removal is made for po-
litcaI reasons, whether or not 1t purports
on its face to be for a different cause"