Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-30

After what has doubtless been an enjoy
able and beneficial vacation. President
Cleveland Is once more at the seat Of gov
ernment giving personal attention to such
details of The public business as demand ex-
ecutive consideration and action. Chairman
Proctor OF the Civil Service Commission is
also In town, and 1t Is quite likely that at
the earliest possible moment the Civil Ser
vice Commissioner will call upon the Presi-
dent and lay before him certain propositions
known to have been subjects Of recent dis
cussion by the Commission. First among
the matters to which the presidential atten-
tiCn Will be directed IL the case OF Charles
II. J. Taylor OF Kansas. a colored man who
was appointed recorder of deeds for the Dis
srict of Columbia as a reward for services
rendered 10 Mr.. Cleveland when he was a
presidential candidate. AS soon as possible
after assuming charge Of the recorders Of
flee. Taylor revealed himself as a purely
partisan public servant-an anachronism
possible only in this enlightened country.
Whenever 1t could be done. he used his posi-
ton to brighten campaign contributions out
OF othsr government employees. The whole
truth was made plain in The Star some time
ego. and since then the Commission has
gathered together testimony sufficient to
make convicticn easy. The Commission has
made up it's mind that Taylor is unfit to
hold public Office, and 1t has. consequently,
asked President Cleveland to remove him.
1t was not likely that the President would
do anything with the charges while ne was
away on a vacation. but now that he has
returned to his desk verdict and Its con-
sequences may be looked for quite soon.
Then there are other matters Of local and
general interest, as to two of which the Civil
Service Reform of this city has already
taken action-the extension of Civil Service
rules to the District government and the
Government Printing Office; the protection
of custom house employees Is also regarded
as extremely desirable. Washington, Of
course, Is personally concerned as to the
District Offices and the Government Print
Ing Office. and while a NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
lunged and vociferous-may object to any
move that makes less valuable The spoils of
war, a great majority will applaud anything
that Is done to improve preseat conditions.
II has been asserted that the application of
civil service rules to the Government Print
ing office would be impossible, but no one
has ever tried to present anything that
looked like a rational argument on that
side of the question. AS a matter of fact,
there need be no difficulty at all in framing
and putting into effect rules that would
permit only efficient workers to obtain ap-
pointments in the governments big print
Ing office and bindery. All the tests could
be. and doubtless will be. thoroughly prac-
teal: the only persons who could object to
them would be those politicians who, for
selfish purposes, desire to have the doors
wide open, and those others who, lacking
what should be the necessary qualifica-
tons. would be debarred from drawing
. salaries they could not honestly earn. The
Star has. fer a long time, contended for
such extensions of the rules as are herein
indicated, and 1t. in comon with all be-
levers in good government. hopes that the
presidential order will not be long delayed.