Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-28

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! tied the patronage OF the president in the
! way OF nominations ito the senate, Consular
| appointments go to the senate for confirma-
ton. The new rule OF the president requires
all candidates to passfan examination before
a board at the state department before
their names can go TO the senate.
In the entire civil list of the United States
there are 100000 names, exclusive OF the
| fourth-class postmasters. and such ap-
pointees as must beocunhrmed by the sem
ate, there are ISL comfortable positions,
most of them assistant postmasters, which
can be filled without examination. If these
facts and figures can be sufficiently i'm
pressed upon those who served the cause OF
sound money and good government well In
the campaign just ended, great deal OF
disappointment after the 4th of March Will
be avoided.
Since this administration came in the
United States prison at Leavenworth has
been transferred from the War department
to the department of justice. The civil
service law has been extended over the
prison force until all but FIVE of the Off
GERS are protected from change on account
of politics. The fifty guards cannot be
disturbed % long as they behave them-
selves. The greater part of the annual pay
of $56,112 will continue to go to the men
who have been drawing 1t under President
Cleveland. The five places subject to eX-
change at the pleasure OF the new au-
ministraton are: Warden, $4,000; deputy
$l,500; superintendent of farm, Sl,OOO; chap-
lain, $l,5OO. This is all of the patronage IN
connection with the United states prison
excepting only place as organist, which
pays 81 a week.
The civil service law is explicit and strong
in the protection of those who have been
taken in under 1t. "No one, 1t says, shail
dismiss or cause to be dismissed any OF
these officials or employees because OF ms
political or religious Affiliations or Opinions
HOW IT WORKS.
Bradley b. Smalley, the democratic col
lector Of Vermont tells how the operation
of the civil service law dawned upon the
local politicians of his district. 1t may
serve to illustrate the surprises in store Tor
the republicans when they come around for
the places next spring. Civil service reform
has been making great progress whlle tne
politicians were not watching. one DAY
some of the party leaders came to the YER
mont collector and complained
"See here. Mr. Smalley. you have not got
any democrats in your office. THESE leiioWs
holding the government positions are all re-
pubicans."
well, what do you suggest?' asked the
We've got a couple of good democratic
and we want you to put out two republicans
and give them the places" was the reply.
"All right" said Mr.. Smalley; I'm a
little hampered, but I'll see what can be
yes"
wei. run It over and see If you can
find the names of your two democrats on
The politicians did as directed One of
them suddenly blurted out:
what is this darned thing, anyway, Mr. |
smalley?"
That" answered the collector, lis the
list of persons who have passed tho civil |
service examination. If any vacancies oc- |
cur in my office force, the law requires me |
10 fill them from the names on that list"
But these are all republicans, Mr.. Small |
ey there is not a democrat on the list
I'm afraid not" said the collector re- |
,retfully. "The trouble is our Vermont dem
,crats don't go 10 school as they should, and |
until they do there is no way of getting |
hem government positions
Major Harlow, the civil service commits
ioner, had an experience while postmaster |
It St. Louis which matches Mr.. Smalley's
tory very we'll Father Walsh. the snrewd |
ector of st. RFdget's parish, made study
# the civil service law, and one day came
o the postoflice and got copy OF the regu-
atoms governing examinations. The next
inc there was an examination at the post
hice a group of bright young fellows from
It. Bridgets parish school put in an APP
earance as candidates They bad evil
emily been prepared With care. Some of
hem came out of the examination with the
highest percentages and were given posi-
ions "That thing continued" said Major
Harlow Father Walshs young men would
ONE out of the examinations at the top of
he list, and under the law they would get
he appointments as vacancies occurred.
me day some of my A. p. A. friends came
nto the office and said: Look here Harlow,
on are filling up the postoffice with Catho-
les. Why don't you give Protestants a
M'KINLEY's POLICY.
Mr.. Mckinley might reverse some of these
yecutive orders of President Cleveland. |
e might reopen several thousands of these
laces for political purposes. He might, but s
e will not. In his letter of acceptance, the
publican candidate Endorsed in strong
nguage the plank in the platform relat-
lg to civil service. When he was in con-
ress, Mr.. Mckinley was even more en-
hattie in his utterances. On one occasion
e said:
'If the republican party is pledged to
nv one thing more than another it Is to '
le maintenance of the civil service law
nd its efficient execution; not only that, {
ut to its enlargement and further applica- |
on to the public service.
1.-The law that stands upon our statute |
1oks today was put there by republican
1tes. 1t was republican measure. Every
ational platform of the republican party
nee its enactment has declared not only
favor of its continuance in full vigOr, but ]
favor of its enlargement, so as to apply
ore generally to the public service. And
lis IS not alone the declaration and pur
1se of the republican party, but 1t is in
,cord with its highest and best sentiments; u
ye more it is sustained by the best senti-
ents of the whole country, republican and
alike There is not a man on
lis floor who does not know that no party e
this country, democratic or republican, a
ill have the courage to wipe 1t from the s
atute book or to amend it, save in the di- +
sction of its Improvement
1.-The republican party must take no step y
lckward. The merit system is here and it p
here to stay; and We may just as well c
lderstand and accept II now" p
The entries to what were at the beginning a
former administrations long and we'll
den pie counters are closed and they will t
1t be opened during the Mckinley admins |
alton. t