New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-05
HUMBCG?

tributed possibly to a lack OF familiarity in the
Commission the work II undertook. and the reforms
II accomplished and the fact that in everything Il
has done It's Democrats ana Republican members
For many years. perhaps not until the asst office
holder who resisted the reforms proposed by the
In preserving Old business methods from the NEEDLE
wholesome beginning made by Representative Dock
cry and his associates VIII be subject to the H.
natured misrepresentation OF discharged or dssatis-
fled Government employees. But the reforms which
simply the recognition OF the wisdom OF apply
ness that is regarded Indispensable to success In
We have the word OF many public officers who
have observed the effect of the changes made In
the business methods Of the Treasury by bills re-
ported by the Dockery Commission that the law is
Working well. without relaxation OF the necessary
safeguards against naccuracy or pecuation, and
with decided gain in the expedition Of business
II there is anything that can be termed "snari
Ing In the dispatches referred to it lies in the I'M
disputed facts which have been published. The
plea that such facts ought not 10 Re admitted into
the columns Of The Tribune. .he ground that
they innict manifest injustice upon some very
loyal and vigorous Republican members OF the
Senate and House. who contributed 10 make ef-
tective the recommendations OF the Dockery Com
mission" is puerile and senseless 1t looks like
an effort 10 dodge behind the skirts OF the Repub-
lean members referred TO in order 10 escape re-
sponsbllty for blunders and failures in the reform
business which these dispatches disclosed
HOW THE BILLS BECAME LAWS
The reading public or that portion OF them who
have taken any interest In the matter. are pretty
well aware how the recommendations OF the DOCK
cry Commission TO be enacted into law
Their nrs, bill % abolish the Office Of Commits
sioner OF Customs. passed the House OF Repre-
scnta,ves upon the recommendation OF Mr.. Dock
cry with scarcely any consideration or debate This
was a crude and ill-devised measure. and never
went any further. but It's passage by the House
encouraged Mr. Dockery and his experts 10 go
two better" They had succeeded In doing away
with one office and their next move was bill 10
abolish three Ghe offices OF First and Second Con-
trouer and Commissioner OF Customs).
This second bill hung fire In the House as
doubtful measure. The session was growing old
and the weather hot. the members were tired and
anxious % got home to look after their fences
And go Mr. Dockery, with his indefat!gabe energy
and airoit management had this second Dill
tackled on as A rider 10 the Legislative Appropri-
alton Bill and It was thus pulled through the
House with little consideration and less opposition.
The only speech Of any note was by Mr.. Baker
Republican OF New Hampshire. in opposition TO
tho measure. The rest was n spritleSs running
debate In which few members OF both parties
participated Very few understood the veasure or
l,s effects for they had given II no consideration:
and when II came 20 vote. It was practically
unanimous one for the members were voting on
,be legislative Appropriation bill. and none or
them felt like opposing this all-important Dill De-
cause OF Mr. Dockery's rider tackled on 10 IL. Inc
measure went through the Senate In Ike manner
II was vigorously opposed by senator sherman III
an able speech He insisted that II be stricken
,r,m the appropration bill and considered as a
separate measure and pointed out its defects ana
the dangers OF breaking down the accounting sys-
tom which hal so long and 80 signally protected
The pubuc treasury His great ability as Secre-
,arv OF the Treasury and his thorough familiarity
with the details OF public business In that depart
mont enabled him at once 10 grasp the situaton'
hut the great majority OF the senators were
xlous thar the appropriation bill should pass
, ~, no, concern themselves about the Dockery
amendment This is how the recommendations OF
m. Dockery Commission became law, ana II must
no remembered that these recommendations were
,ha work OF the experts approved by the Com
mission. ..,,c,,,
T. will therefore hardly do to seek 70 silence
the publication Of facts In relation to the DocKery
reforms by the lame ana sro"huiess pre'eN un"'
,oy ,rcc, assaults or DO manifest injustice to
..,, and vigorous Republican members OF the
coro,. and House" Such an assumption Is about
"a Illogical and far-fetch'd as the innuendo that
tho facts published heretofore In dispatches TO Inc
T,,hunc are "the i-natured misrepresentation or
d,sc,aryed or dissatisfied Government employees 30
w.. 49, a.. unfortunate discharged employees are con-
their time and attention are solely engrossed IN the
.no Dor broad. and those who have been spared
oi,boryh reduced I'm pay and dissatisfied In spirit
,,,,, ahou, rs soon embrace a buzzsaw In active
oneration as to say "A word IN opposition 10 inc
,'r. ,,w They understand the penalty too
weu II any clerk who feels secure Is bold enough
- exnrsss n hint it is always untavorable. He
Iii, ,,ro,, toll Won that needless confusion has been
,,,,,,, ohout nv the Dockcry law and the burden
=, a, can. increased and instead of simplicity and
,iroc,ress In method. the reverse is the order Of
rho dav The oft -repeated promise OF introducing
business methods In the conduct OF the pubic ousi
nose had much to do with making the so-caiied
Dockery reforms popular. and perhaps had Its In
eusnce with some members OF Congress. Naturally
and pronerly the people are opposed 10 red tape or
crcumlocution in the conduct OF public business
Ard This dislike has doubtless been increased In the
minds Of many who have read Dckens's description
NJ 1.-THE Circumocuton Office" and the classics
NJ Mark Twain about the beef contract and the
man who came from Tennessee to washington 10
collect a Government claim. and spent his life and
fortune in the effort Yet the cold facts about the
Government business that as rule. II has
been and is conducted with great precision and ex-
octness I'm method and remarkably little loss.
ANY Improvement In method which would dispense
with unnecessary work and expedite the dispatch OF
business could meet only with commentator from
any Intelligent mind. So far nothing OF the kind
has been accomplished. The very fact that the
experts selected were without any training or ex-
nerience In the business OF the executive depart
ments or In public affairs. Is indicative that the re-
sults attained could only be unsatisfactory. The
railroad experts selected came TO the work or re-
forming the business methods OF the executive de-
partments about as we'll prepared and Informed as
would a lot OF Treasury clerks detailed to revise
and reorganize the business OF great railway sys-
tenn One we'll imagine the smile OF derision
tho MI