New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
SOUNDING THE CANDIDATES.
CIVIL SERVICE INQUIRIES MADE.


RoBERTss WORK IN HIS DEPARTMENT
The following letter was sent TO the Republican
and Democratic candidates for State Controller by
the Civil Service Reform Association, and reply
from the candidates requested:
Dear Sir: on behalf OF the Network civil Ser
vice Reform Association and for ths lntormaatiT1n
of the voters Of the State We would respectfully
submit t. YOU "a a candidate for the Office Oh
Controller. the following injuries; ~
ing faithful enforcement OF the civil Service laws
in your own department. and the extension OF their
q Viii you. il elected exercise the authority Of
the office Of Controller wherever necessary' nc, no
secure proper compliance with the terms OF d d
law on the part Of appointing officers IN other de
partments. and in the various Institutions OF the
II will be our duty and pleasure to give the
widest circulation 20 any 20 fayer s and
shall be grateful for any expression VI Soui
GEO. MANENY. Secretary
In reply James Il. Roberts, the Republican candi-
date. wrote:
think I can say that have during this term.
endeavored to ala IN securing a. fnhln
and the extension Of their operation wherever prac
The once Of Controller wherever necessary to
secure proper compliance with the terms or the
law on the part OF appointing officers In other de-
partments and in the various Institutions OF the
State. II will be my purpose, as nave stated
ALREADY TO continue this policy for the future
piled:
II elected to the office OF State Controller. shall
favor the enforcement: Of the Civil Service laws OF
the State.
The following letter also sent by the Civil
Service Reform Association to the Republican and
Democratic candidates FOR other Offices
Dear Sir on behalf or the New-York Civil Ser
vice Reform Association. and for the information
OF the OF the State we would respectfully ASK
you as a candidate for the office of - whether,
II elected II would be your policy 20 aid IN securing
faithful enforcement OF the civil Service laws OF
the State and the extension OF their operation Wher
Il Viii be our duty and our pleasure to give the
widest circulation 70 any answer 10 ms dnquirs
shall be grateful for any expression Of your views
upon the general subject. We have the honor TO De
very 'e''''''1'' GiXRL scHURz, President.
GEORGE MANENY. Secretary.
The following replies were received:
Horato c. King. Democratic candidate FOR Sec;
rotary OF StateIf elected Secretary OF state II VIII
be my policy to aid in securing the 81, asn s em
the extension Of their operation wherever pracu-
A. r. Coivin. Republican candidate for treasurer,
In the discharge OF my official duties have oOeyed
to the letter the civil Service laws Of the State Of
DE Witt Clinton Dow Democratic candidate for
Treasurer-If elected TO the office OF State Treasurer
it viii be my dutv and policy enforce such laws
and all others upon the statute BOOKS OF ths S.ate
in any wise connected with the duties OF such Once
Theodore f. Hancock. Republican candidate for
Attorney General have the honor to REFER 10 my
record OF the last two years relating 10 the Ciyn
Service law and the questions that nave arisen III
connection Herewith. | am In favor or an enforce
OF the law. believing that the same VIII pro
mote the of the State and the several SUD
Rnssel r. stuart Democratic candidate for State
Engineer-In reply 10 your inquiries, would say that
I am In favor Of the enforcement OF the civil Ser
No replies have as yet been received from Norton
Chase Democratic candidate for Attorney General
from John Palmer and Campbell w ADAMS;
Republican candidates for Secretary OF state ana
one Of the State officers whose services to Civil
Service reform are well-nigh inestma5e, IS james
II Roberts When he became Controller in Janu-
arv 1904 more than one hundred positions in the
various State Departments and institutions We're
filed by persons IN violation OF the Clvu service
laws on the first day OF Mr.. Robertss term he an
nounced that payments Of SALARY would be made
thereafter 10 any officer or employe whose regular
appolnrment was not certified by the civil Service
Commissioner He had told TO the civil Service
Reform Association in the campaign that II elected
no would take this course, 80 that the announce
ment was not wholly unexpected II produced con-
sternaton nevertheless. and every effort was made
10 induce Mr. Roberts 70 modify his rule 10 make
executions He proved absolutely immovabie. With
in two months every Illegally appointed employe
Service law was estabi shed iirmer basis than had
ever before been practicable. An act was drawn 10
make the new rule permanent forpdding IN terms
the payment or persons NOT regularly dppolleu
This was passed on the strength or the argument
that II provided for nothing more than mad already
been established and was then in force Nothing
since the passage OF the original civil Service act
has been important TO the success OF the system
az this piece Of legislation. Backed by the new
law IL has been EASIER for Mr. Roberts TO resist
the imporunites OF politicians and others 10 permit
the employment 81 favorites who fear the Civil
service tests Such opportunities have been fire.
quent nevertheless but whether the persons inter
ested have been Of his own party or not. Mr.. Rob
erts has been consistent and determined in his
course and not the slightest violation OF the law
has been condoned. His service 10 the cause OF
civil Service reform in this State has been Of in
estimable value. With unfa!ling means OF enforce
ment at hand the present administrators OF the
law have been enabled 70 improve me system N
most radical respects and to place II on bass
hardly deemed practicable two years ago