Evening star., 1896-10-22
PRINCIPLES DECLARED
The Platform Adopted sby the National Civil
Service Association.
A Visit to the Comm issiOn and Some
Remarks hyd President
Proctor.

A1oo oooh auopleu Dyahe Natlonal SlVA Der
vice Association in connection with their
formation of permanent organizations:
First. Employees Of the classified service
are In law and in fact employees of the gov
ernment and they do not by reason of
their employment owe duty to any political
party nor to any political leader; they are
IN no sense the private employees Of any
officer of the government, and have not
surrendered their citizenship.
Power Of Appointment.
Second. That the beneficial effect Of the
law is found in the limitation Of the execu-
tive power Of appointment.
Third. That the provisions Of the law
which effect removals are those which re-
quire removal for interfering with or at
tempting to control elections, or for coerc-
ing an employe in his religious or political
action. and those other provisions which
prohlbit removals because Of the religious
or pontical opinions of employees 1t is
especially declared that this association
is aware of TO affirmative provision of law
which prohibits the removal Of employees
without cause.
Fourth. That to remove the service from
the influence of partisan politics 1t is abb
solutely essential to limit the power to re-
move employees so that they shall be re-
movable only for stated causes, and that
the truth OF such statements shall be SUBJ
Ject 10 investigation by the commission.
What In Demanded.
Fifth. That this association does not seek
to impose upon the government or retain
in office an unsuitable employe, but it in
sfsts that when citizen has compiled with
all the requirements Of law as to examina-
tions and other modes Of qualifications,
and has been appointed, there should be a
Iurther provision to retain him In his po-
mil tn H1l~ 10 h hfv,N h,,t fv,
justice to the government, which has been
at much expense to procure him.
Called ON the Civil Service COmmis-
A committee representing the local civil
service associations called at the Office of
the civil service commission and saw Mr.
Proctor, the president of the commission.
The committee stated that the object in
uniting the local associations was not to
influence legislation or for any political
reason, but to promote fraternal union and
the holding of meetings in the different
cities. The national organization, 1T was
uons as desired to join in the membership.
The local associations have not extended
as yet beyond the customs service, except
that there is an association in one internal
revenue district
Mr.. PrOcter's Remarks.
Mr.. Proctor stated in reply that the COM
mittee should realize that it was taking
very important STEP; that just where 1t
would lead to he did not know. He said
that he realized the value of such organiza-
tions. particularly where they were benevo-
lent in character. and he should be glad If
the civil employees throughout the country
should desire such organization would
promote the condition OF the public service.
He was doubtful, however, Of the propriety
and expediency of national organization.
He believed that the best way to advance
this movement was by faithful and efficient
service on the part OF each employe. The
next annual report of the commission
would show that II the patronage system
had continued unchecked, and the posi-
tions originally made competitive had in
creased in the same proportion as the un-
classified positions as the result Of addi-
tional appropriations, it would require an
extra yearlyG expenditure of more than
three million dollars for salaries in Wash
ington alone. The mere fact Of the extern
sion of the classified service has increased
Its efficiency and decreased its cost This
saving amounts to vastly more than the
entire cost Of the commission each year.
Cost of Unclassified Service.
The increased cost Of the unclassified
service has ranged from 800 to 500 per cent
In the period that the civil service law has
been in operation. while there has been
generally an actual diminution in the num-
Der Of classified places and their cost The
voice of the American people declares that
the merit aystem is a wise and economical
measure, outside of the question of spoils
Wherever there has been an expression of
the voice of the people on the subject, as
in Chicago, New Orleans, Tacoma and
Seattle. 1T has been strongly in favor Of the
reform. 1t is enc Of the greatest political
movements ever undertaken in history.
Some Advice C4vou
The efforts Of the associations might be
best confined to benevolent ends, and that
where they wished to advance the reform
movement they should join the local civil
service reform organizations in their re-
spective cities as individuals and private
citizens. This would prevent misunder-
standing. 1t might be urged against the
national organization that it had been ef-
fected for the purpose of bringing influence
to bear to perpetuate its members in office,
The best way of retaining the clerks in
office was for each man to do his full duty
in the sphere which he occupied. Each
one in his place should strive for a more
economical and efficient service
In the service in Washington there have
been few removals for political reasons.
The chief trouble has come in unjustifiable
reductions and In improper promotions, 1t
is found that in the first year Of a new ad-
ministratiOp. upon a change of party. the
percentage of changes has been but little
larger than the percentage of changes In
the last year of the outgoing administra-
ton. The experience in local offices
throughout the country has, however. NOT
been SO satisfactory. In time there win he
better showing in these local offices and
there will be less tendency to removals for
partisan reasons. There are friends in Con-
gress anxious to aid the cause. There Ia a
feeling that such an organization as yonrs
promotes an off1ce-holding class. The direct
tendency of the merit system is lust the
other way, end it Is the spoils svstann
which promotes the office-holdine class
The merit system opens the public office.
to everybody through open competition
There is a danger that national oreanisa.
ton Of the public employees in attempting
to influence legislation may give ground
holding class attempting to perpetuate
themselves in Office. They should nut into
their constitution a olause which will de-
clare that neither the name nor the in.
fuence of the association should he usad
for any political purpose, to AFFECT anv
legislation or to promote any individna1
interest and that its shall be coufineti e~-
clusively to fraternRl and beneficiai oh
jects. VI"
Short Story Club.
recent meeting Of the Short Story f,,,,b
took place in its spacious new quarters In
the Lehman building.s A large number of
members We're present. who gave varied