Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28

4 ir,ssmau II Is cNaspcrdting 10 IA senator.
The Constitution provides that the Prcsi-
dent may make these appointments by
4 4nl with the advice and consent or the
senate" When they are made without
rr.4rI tD a senator's wishes thcN are
4 art o. provoke Il controversy IN eNccu-
| tI.. session They may lay in the hands
| .f "a senate committee for weeks ana
months before they are even cOnsidertu.
| II the Office is an important one ana
/ ,t.. government is suffering because IT ~
If fu.d the President has IL in ms
power 10 withdraw the nomination ana
rntL, another one. When Justice Batch
frI ~ the Supreme Court. died the
President nominated Judge HornhioWer
90 tht vacancy. The Senate took no
,cI.r Meantime Il special session "t
CONGRESS ended and the regular session
i.-.,n Some senator's doubtless antici-
rated that If the Senate failed 10 CON
lrm th. nomination at the special session
tte Pr,eileu, might take the hint ana
r.u.ratA a new man at the regular ses-
s.ou This. however. was not done. The
President venominatcd Judge Hornblower,
.tI thc decisive action of the Senate fol-
lowed
Nr Van Alien when nominated for Min
ist.r % Italy relieved both the President
.rt th- senate OF their embarrassment by
'... lining The Office There seems TO have
h.rH little doubt Of HIS confirmation II he
..i not declined
Nominations Tor postmasters, collectors,
msr,hals district attorneys. and other
Federal Offices including vacancies in
army and navy grades, frequently drag IN
ta. senate. Each senator fancies that
under tie Constitution he is entitled to
,.r,. say before the nomination is made
~ Pc, does not set u he Is frequently able
20 delay action indefinitely. If not TO de-
lett IT,
,, much for the high Offices in the gift
or the government. The Secretary OF the
Navy appoints all the officers and men
employed in the navy-yards. They are
10, sghicct TO revision at the White House.
Ne.nrc' secretary Tracy retired he placed
al thc nayy-yards under civil-service reg
tttons Ills action has been confirmed
o. Ul- new Secretary Of the Navy. who
l.s undoubtedly followed the wishes of
o.. President in the matter. Mechanics
al skilled labOrers employed IN The yards
aIe thus protected. while the vast army
outside seeking their places are disap-
falf.i The yards are filed with Repub-
llc.n employees and the civl-scrYice lists
irom which other mechanics and laborers
were 10 be drawn are filled with Repub-
l-ans.
FIVE YEARS.
When Secretary Herbert began his term
OF ofncc under the civil-service rules IN
aururatcd by his predecessor. II would
have taken AT least five years TO have
reached q. Democrat on the lists. To al
lrfiate the situation the Secretary availed
himself OF well-known ciyil-scrvice rule.
lie Issued an order that those who had
been upon the list for one year should
te dropped. Under this order Few Demo-
Gratis may he reached within seven months.
There are. however few clerkships ana
messengers not under the classihed ser
Vice The struggle for these places Is
terrific. II is safe TO say that there are
az least 100 men for each place The Sec
rotary has been oyerburdened with appli-
oet0ns The good OF the service required
that these changes. should not be made
cApedluously. Politics does not always
throw the right man In the right place.
Indeed la some cases where changes have
se,n made three or four men have beeA
trl@d before competent clerk has been
fecured
Great pressure has also been brought
70 bear Upon the Secretary OF the Trea-
bury. His official duties have been 30
ar1uous that for months ne has been
unable 20 give even hearing TO Office
aeei.srs. The few that have been APP
pointed have been selected by subordinate
"'hcials. Collectors. surveyors. mar
hAdls. special agents. sub-treasurers.
'hiefs Of divisions, auditors. and others
are appointed by the President usually
Upon the secrctary's recommendation.
ihs subordinate officers In these bureaus
@s appointed BY the SECRETARY mainly