Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25
R. LY M AN LEAVES
Incidents Attending His Retirement From
the Commission.
He Addresses His Old AssOciates and
Pays n Warm Tribute to the
Great Cause.

Mr.. Charles Lyman. who has been for so
many years a member of the civil service
commission, retired from office this morn
ing upon the induction Of his successor,
Mr. john B. Harlow of Missouri. There
was general and genuine regret at the COM
mission building at the severance of the
pleasant personal and official relations
which had existed so long between Mr.. Ly-
man and the officials and employees. and
when it was announced that the retiring
commissioner would bid everybody good
bye at the noon recess no one left the
building. When the commissioners, secre-
taries. examiners, clerks and other en-
ployes-lades and gentlemen-were assem-
bled, Mr.. Lyman, who was visbly affected,
addressed them with much feeling.
Mr.. Lymnn's Remarks.
"The occasion which calls us together Is,
from one point of view, almost inexpress-
lilly sad" said Mr.. Lyman. 1T marks the
end of relations which have to me been
very pleasant and agreeable. The break
ing up of such relations that have been
long continued and have been uniformly of
such an agreeable character does not oc-
cur without some emotion; but l do not
desire to dwell upon this feature of the
occasion. There is brighter side, and l
IT,,
that grows out of the fact that we have
been associated together, many of us for
years, in work which has commanded our
sincere and cordial approval, a work in
which We have been engaged in common
with other people, and which we believe is
of vast Importance to this country We.
nave been engaged together, you and I,
with others, in inaugura ting perfecting and
carrying forward a movement, we call it a
reform, believe it is reform; but at any
rate 1t is movement which 1 believe, and
which you believe, has in 1t the elements
OF immense good to this country. 1t has to
do with the administration of this govern
ment 1t is great government, and the
administration of the government, whether
that administration is good or bad, whether
1t Is honest or dishonest, whether it is
efficient or inefficient. is a matter of great
concern to the people of this country.
What Civil Service Reforms Means.
I'VE believe that the civil service reform
movement means not only good administra-
tion, honest administration, but it means
clean politics." he continued, land we have
labored together in all these years in this
movement, and upon this cause of reform
we have made our impress. We have
stamped In some degree greater or smaller,
our purpose and our personality. What we
have written into this reform can never be
unwritten it will stand in the records of
the government for all time. and it will be
to your credit. as l believe 1t will be to
mine, that We have worked together in this
cause and have accomplished something
toward it's establishment and it's perpetuity.
1t is possible that we have all made reputa-
tions in 1t in a way; it Is possible that I
might have mad, in some sense different
reputation If my course had been differ
ent.
Satisfied With His Course.
II have not chosen to conduct my part
of this work by proclamation" he said.
Il do not regret it. l have satisfied my
self, my judgment. my conscience, by do
ing the work of this commission, such CT
it as came to me, in the best way that
possibly could. 1 have given to It my
thought, my whole purpose, the best that
was in ne: and now as 1 sever my con-
nection with this work in its official rela-
tions, and my relations with you officially,
do not intend't sever my connection with
the cause; a cause which lies very pro-
foundly deep in my judgment and in my
affections. For twenty-five years 1 have
been a civil service reformer in Office If l
shall live to be twenty-five years older than
l am l shall be twenty-five years more a
civil service reformer and 1 snail every
where and on all occasions stand for it, for
what 1t means, for what it does; and l
congratulate you ladies and gentlemen that
you associated with it, and 1 thank
you cordially and heartily for the support
and confidence which you have ever given
to me.
Pleasant Closing Words.
'"rhere has never been an occasion during
our association together that you have not
promptly Loyalty and faithfully responded
to every CALL" said Mr.. Lyman, in conclu
sion, land l am perfectly sure that you
will give to my successor, a gentleman
whom l have long known. and hold in high
esteem. the same loyal, faithful and con-
stant support which you have given to me.
To my late associate. the president of this
commission l wish to tender my thanks for
the kindness and courtesy he has invariably
shown me, Our relations have been of the
most agreeable character; it gives me
pleasure to say this. l will not prolong
these remarks. Before we separate, 1 de-
sire to take each of you by the hand and
say goodbye, and may God speed you In
your work.
Following Mr.. Lymars remarks, ad-
dresses Were made by Major Webster Mr.
Doyle, Mr.. Bailey. Mr.. Higgins, Mr.. De
Land and Mr.. UaIlnrau. who had been