New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-03
FROM THE MAIL
THE POLICE AND CIVIL SERVICE.


PI.ATT's MEN ARE FIGHTING TO PERPETUATE
THE SPOHs SYSTEM.
TO the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Senator O'Connor IS reported in this morn
ing. papers as saying: Il will vote to give +.
L. Godkn and Everett T. Wheeler the authority to
appoint the police force Of NewYork. ard do not
think that majority of the Senator's will approve
Of such an amendment"
This is most remarkable statement. both in its
implication and in it's inference As an humble col
league of the distinguished gentlemen whose bane-
full influence Senator O'Connor thinks should be
counterlcted by special law, request the courtesy
of your columns for few words OF olucidation
The implication In Senator O'Connors remarks Is
that Messrs GoHIn and Wheeler have at present
the power make appointments to the police force.
and that they unfit for such responsibility AS
a matter of fact. neither the gentlemen named nor
the civil Service Board itself has the power to APP
point. If they did, the question would be whether
Civil Service rcformers of the character OF Messrs
Godkn and Wheeler o. politicians such as Messrs.
Murray Martin and Kerwin would be the more
likely to make appointments on the ground of fitness
and merit. The present eligible list-the eligible
list from which appoint ments are now being made
and from which Senator OConnor nfers appoint
ments are being made 10y Mcssrs. Godkin and
Wheeler is one that was In existence many months
before Mcssrs. Godkin and Wheeler were appointed
civil Service Commissioners. The candidates upon
that eligible list examined for physical quail
ncations by police surgeon, were certified as 10
character by police captain. and were examined
ard rated as to knowledge Of police regulations by
a police inspector. Their ratings upon the present
eligible list determined by these examinations.
and the rules in force merely provide that APP
pontments shall be made from the list 80 obtained
in order OF merit.
Under the old rules the HSth man upon an eli
gibe list with n rating OF per cent above the mini
mum was appointed while the first upon the
list was not appointed. The Police Commits
soners Themselves testified before the LcXow Com
alton to the ratings Of the Civil Service Board
making their appointments. As the Constitution IT.
sef provides that appointments SHAH u" mad" Tor
fitness ana merit to b" asccrtaincd by competitive
examination when practicable II fully time that
rules be adopted which would eniorc" that provision
OF the fundamental law. The ufercnc" in senator
S T mark I'm nat Md ii' S to an
In the prcscn; law while the fact Is that The present
rUu nov. IN fr, arc n1aJo in .trcf arrora,n"r
with the provisions OF that law
The recommendation Of the original I,eNow report
consist Of one Inspector and four captains so
absurd. as result Of the investigations that the
corporate the provision recommended IN !is hrsi po-
lee bill; nut when they discovered that appoint
mens wor" really 20 be- made because II the fitness
OF the appiicart-that political or pccuniary con.
siderations we're no lonfer to control mat the Cvil
S'rvc" law was really 80 be enforced the committee
TOOK It's coufhge in both hlnis AM; E.ing Ever, even
over the administration OF "a" CIV! Serve" law 10
ne tender mercies # 9partlsln Polio !ohrd
| senator ~ funnor ana MS brethren nave lIet'nl'l
to be fighting for the bipartisan principle Thcy
have really been fighting FOR the spoils system. and
they for the civil Service provisions with
which they seek to ycrI"tuatc the Sp,lls system
than for all the other provisions % their Police
! bill combined. When Mayor Strong refused 10
sent To th"s" provisions. h" dealt the boss system
I'm politics tn" blow that Il has suffered.
The L"Now Committee had hoped 10 pass their
civil Service provisions unohscrvel. and under the
cloud 81 dust raised by supposed contest upon IN"
bipartisan question. Their gam" Is exposed. they
out In tn" open. and Tho furious and ndi7crrct
/ talk OF senator D'fouurr shows how much th"y
!
INK Department and th2t part ~ the Pole Depart
| ment which Is not political are IN favor ~ CiNl
Service reform.
Il s FOR the people II Nov York to decide whether
they In OF tho reform u the platform OF
the Committee OF Seventy and the Constitution. or
such reform a. Tho present leaders Of N" senate
/ desire TO accord &. W. WATSON.
New York. April - 1886