Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-28
FAVOR CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
A Poll Of the Members of the Washington
Board of Trade.
They Are Practically Unanimous for
Extending 1t to the Dis
trfct Offices.
From Progress.

From Progress.
Progress believed that insufficient
time and debate was given the resolution
presented to the board of trade at its last
I"eeting relative to extending the rules of
civil service reform to the District of CO.
lumbia 1t believed that many did not
fully understand it's import, and, swayed
by the ringing words of disapproval ut
tered by Mr.. Pardon, many did not vote at
all. The question has since become quite
thoroughly discussed In the daily press,
and it then occurred to Progress to poll
vote of the board.
Its communication to the members of
the board read as follows:
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Nov. 20, 1894.
My Dear Sir:
entire membership of the Board of Trade
upon the question, Should Civil Service
Reform be extended to the District of CO.
lumbar with the addition of a home
rule" plank.
By kindly voting upon the inclosed postal
card Qor or againsD and mailing it to us,
you will greatly oblige,
Yours, very truly,
WIN. A. HUNGERFORD.
Progress now feels fully justified in
its action, since the vote is practically
unanimous in favor of the resolution.
1t did not really see wherein there could
m,
since 1T but means honest and more ehl-
cient service. The question is very much
within the province of the board of trade,
In fact, it was organized 70 advance the
interests OF the city in every possible man.
ner, and lettering it's local government Is
certainly benefiting the CITY, Naturally,
hotel proprietorS, and a few others pecu-
niarily interested in the periodical influx
of oftice-seekers, are opposed to 1t, but it is
most surprising that any merchant should
be.
Civil service reform is not a political ques-
ton. The meaning of reform is Ito change
for the better" There are already indica-
tons Of disintegration in the old parties A
new party is wanted! reform party-a
party for good, honest government, ire
spective Of race or creed. The people ask
ed for it at the recent election polls. They
were tired Of bossism, of machine politics.
They voted for the only party then arrayed
against that already in power. They really
did not vote Cor the republican party. They
voted the republican ticket in hope of re-
form. The parties of the future will be
honesty against dishonesty" The moral
against the corrupt The broad American
ism against anarchism! Let us have civil
service reform. Let 1T be extended to the
erds of the earth. Let US have good, hon
est government, local and national Let
meritorious service be rewarded by promo
ton. Let the best men for the positions
fill them. Let the local and national gov
eminent be conducted upon the same fun
damental principles as prevail in modern
business establishments. Let us have no
parties nor politics other than for honest
government.
1t is the constant fear Of losing their po-
sitions at the change of each administra-
ton that makes the department clerks
economiZe fully three months previous 10
and three months after each election.
Progress prophesies that the resolu-
ton will be taken from the table at the
next meeting OF the board, debated,
amended with a home-rule clause and
paSSed almost unanimously.
Commissioner Ross says: II have always
been thoroughly committed to civil service
reform principles, and had an opportunity
to see how admirably ii worked while post
master. The present civil service law would
be defective as regards quota, but proper
home rule amendment would easily remedy
that. Put me down as being heartily in
favor of the resolution
Mr. Fred w. Pilling says: Decidedly,
yes"
Mr.. W. B. Hibbs says: Home rule first.
Mr.. w. c. Dodge says: Il vote for the
resolution, on condition that the appoint
ments ara confined to bona f1de citizens of
the District, and appointments are for
fixed term-otherwise 1 vote against it,
Mr.. H. A. Griswold says: Il am In favor
Of civil service reform being applied to
all branches of the government"
Mr.. H. Burkhart says: Give us home
rule. vote for the resolution and want
to see every office within the District Of
Columbia filled with honest citizens of the
District"
Mr.. A. S. Caywood votes in favor of it.
and adds: II wish to emphasize the home
rule plank"
Mr.. F. w. Pratt votes for it and wants a
"home rule" plank added
Mr.. Noble ID. Larner says: Il vote for
the resolution, provided civil service is
arranged as to secure to the citizens of the
District home rule. thorough and genuine"
Mr.. h. ii. Warner votes for the resolu-
80 10, ,r,,1a
ment.
Mr.. Geo. NJ; Oyster ssys: Il vote FOR the
resolution with big F."
George e. Videtto votes for the resolu-
ton and wants District men to fill District
offices.
VIM. s. Roose, in voting in favor of the
resolution adds that he does not want to
see any change in the present mode of
government
November q, 1894.
Editor Of Progress" City.
Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiry as
to whether / am in favor of the resolution
introduced In the hoard of trade reEula ting
the civil service of the District ] unkesi-
tatingly say yes"
At the meeting of the board Of trade. at
which l was present, took ii for granted
that the resolution having been agreed to
unanimously by the board of directors there
would be 70 question as 10 its adoption,
ard when DR.. Pardon rose to oppose it
6iC not even deem it necessary to say a
word in reply. taking 1t for granted that
the resolution would be adopted And 1
feel sure that IL the matter WIS to come
before the board of trade again to tic dis
cussed in all it's bearings in dispassion-
ate, calm manner, there would be reversal
of the action taken.
As 20 the home rule plank-that needs to
be considered from many standpoints. AZ
to the main offices, there can be no ques-
ton that the home rule should be applied
but when it comes to the great mass of
positions to be filled i'm the various branch
of the. District government, the uues-
ton would arise as to whether we would
not create very bitter luminosity Oh the
part of Congress- inasmuch as the gem
eral government is asked to pay one-half
of the taxes, and it might lead to a with
drawal of that important item If we were
to play the dog in the manager" policy
of claiming all the Offices / do not know
that that would be the. result, but L fear
it might lead to that state of things
Yours, very truly, S. WOLF.
THE WEST END NATIONAL BANK, l415
G STREET.
WASHINGTON, d. q, Nov 81, 81
Editor of Progress:
Dear Sir-Iour postal relative to oivil
service, etc, received. l do rot desire to
vote upon the question except as a men,
Der of the board of trade, when The sub
ject is presented My communication to.
he Star fax.- dow