The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-06-01
JOHN r.

Ohm r. PROCTOR.
WILLIAM G. RICE. JOHN q. HARLOW.
Of the league, many people claiming, as
Mr.. Curtis once said in q reply to his
critics, that it was composed of "amia-
BILE gentlemen, with fancies for new
fashions in politics, for the spinning Of
moonbeams and the dipping Of water in
sieyes."
As soon as the league was organized
it Endorsed the civil service law then
pending in congress, which had been
introduced by Mr.. Pendleton. In 1888
the present civil service lew was passed
by congress, and now, after 10 years
trial, it has come to be generally accept,
ed by the people of the United States as
a permanent thing. Since the passage Of
the law 80, 900 places in the national
government have been brought within
its operation.
The Civil Service league is still in ex-
i~stence, and state laws, somewhat SIM
liar to the national one, have been
adopted by several commonwealth.
The national civil service commission
consists Of three members and is Of gen.
eral interest Just now, because Of the
appointment of John B. Harlow Of St.
Louis to fill the place Of Charles Lyman,
resigned, and Of Colonel W. G. Rice to
succeed Theodore Roosevelt, resigned.
Mr.. Proctor, who continues in the com
mission, is a Democrat, as is also Col
onel Rice, but Mr.. Harlow, newly ap-
pointed, is q Republican.
William G. Rice is SO years old and
a native of Albany. He is the son Of
William A. Rice, who was capitol COM
missioner for several years. William G.
was educated at a military school, and
being observed upon review by Samuel
j. Tilden, then governor, the latter was
sopleased with the young mans appear
ance that, in 1875, he made him assist
ant paymaster of the national guard of
the state of New York, with the rank
Of colonel This place Colonel Rice con-
tinued to hold under Governors Robin,
son, Cornell and Cleveland. When
Daniel S. Lamont resigned the post OF
private secretary to the governor in or
der to accompany Mr.. Cleveland tc
Washington, Colonel Rice was chosen
to take his place by Governor David B
Hill. After the expiration Of his term
as private secretary the colonel went in
to business as vice president and genera
manager Of the Consolidated Car Heat
ing company. He has also served as ont
Of the trustees Of the general debit sink
ing fund of Albany and as such truste
was a member ex oficio Of the cit.
board Of finance.
John B. Harlow is a native Of tn
state of New York, where he was borl
in 1874. At the age Of 10, however, h
removed to the west with his parents
who settled in Pekin, Ills. As a school
boy in 1861 he enlisted in the Eight
Illinois volunteers, the regiment {
which Richard Oglesby. afterward gov
ernor was colonel. Harlow served onl
three months in this regiment, but
the expiration Of his term Of enlistme1
became q member Of the Forty-sevent
Illinois infantry, serving with it unit
the spring Of 1864, when he joined Il
Veteran Reserve corps. The next fall ]
was promoted to q l~ieutenancy and
March, 1865, was brevetted captain.
1856 he was appointed to a clerkship
the railway mail service from Illinoi
In 1868 he was made chief clerk Of /
division. In 1871 he was made chi
clerk of his department, with headqu,
tiers at st. Louis. In 1873 he was ma
superintendent Of mails at st. Louis.
1890 President Harrison appointed h
postmaster Of st. Louis. Since the
piration Of his term as postmaster he l
been purchasing agent for the Bell TIE
phone company in st. Louis. His offc
term was marked by the introduction
the trolley mail service, and his
ministration Of his Office is said to h:
been excellent.
Commissioner Proctor is a Kentu
ian, aged 81, and was appointed
November. 1893.