The evening times., 1896-11-21

Step into one Of the government depart
ments these days, draw aside the curtain OF
official and clerical secrecy, and an inter
esting state of affairs will be found.
The Republican clerks in the hclowerlgrades
have their eyes on the Democratic CLERKS
in the upper grades. They are anXiously
awaiting March next, in the belief that
the whirligig of politics will bring about
the customary reductions and promotions.
Right here is where the spoils system
still fingers in the government service
As a matter of fact, strange though 1t be-
the clerks themselves are the first to profit
by it, and their campaigning, club joining,
.unds- giving and ne-going are often done
either to get a promotion in their own office
or "A transfer to a more lucrative position.
The Civil Service Commission has, how
ever, its weather eye open, and is consider
ing a method by which it may control the
situation and prevent promotions or reduc-
tions for political reasons. This will cause
re joicing and groaning among the clerks.
STATUS OF CLERKS.
1t means plainly that the status OF :s-e
clerks now in office, whether Democrats
)r Republicans, shall not be changed by
the incoming administration, causing the
fall of the Democrats from high places and
the elevation OF Republicans from low
places.
The Civil Service Commission has the
power to regulate the matter, but up othe
present has made no effort to exert it. The
reason is that il has not been able to EN-
ploy a force sufficient to control the eN-
aminations for entrance into the service,
and therefore wisely lets alone the doings
of the clerks, once inside the long sought
preserves.
Now, the high Democratic officials are
lending their aid and will do all they can TO
fortify their faithful subordinates who were
jumped over the fallen heads Of Republic
ans after March 4 1898.
Past events are Interesting in this con-
nection. In 1892 Secretary Foster made
rule establishing promotion by compcti-
tive examination in the Treasury Depart
ment. 1t worked wen and served to check
the remnant of the spells system on the
promotions, until Secretary Carlisle came
into power.
Now. attention, Mr.. Carlisle and son
Logan. the chief clerk, had conference
early in S93, and they agreed to, and did,
wipe ont the competitive examinations.
In fact, they wiped so quickly and 30
kcenly that an examination then in prog
rcsS was stopped, la the destruction uf
Pompeii, and never resumed.
THE PROMOTIONS.
The bars being down, host Of Demo
cratic clerks We're jumped from $40,
5000 ana 81 900 jobs into clcrkshipS,
chiefshipS and so forth paying 81 400,
81 500. 81 500 and up 10 the limit.
There are many clerks today drawing
$500 who worked and voted with this In
mind during the late campaign. and who
waut-a oh ance to turn the tables on their
former victors.
They may not get there, however: not at
least il Secretary Carlisle. son Logan, and
the other high officials can help it.
The Treasuryis singled cut, as ii is admit
.,r no tao. nf a
gross violation of the civil service spirit
may be seen whchit is known-and ii is a
fact, too that Mr.. Carlisle said when a
protest against summary reduction was
made by a clerk, The election Of 80 was
notice enough.
Son Logan then was 3n ardent bclieverin
the hcadsman and his ak, and Tor many
months until today. even, uneasy We're the
heads OF the Republicans who wore the
crown of dcfeatintle Treasury Department.
Some complaints Were made TO the Civil
Service Commission, but il was impossible
TO learn any definite facts. and So no pro
test to the President was formulated, ac-
cordiny to precedent.
ITS POWER.
The commission has power. under sec
ton : of the civil service act, as follows
no person shall be employed
TO enter or be promoted i'll either OF the
said classes now existing, or that may be
arranged hereunder pursuant TO said rules.
until he has passed an examination.
IL has never been enforced, because the
commission has not been equipped to do II,
and today il is possible to jump a clerk
from any grade To any grade, unless the
Secretary chooses to order competitive
examination.
There Were many, maiiy jumps In 1898.
and the Republicans now hope there Will
he more and more falls IN 1897.
Now comes the y-intcrcsliug, au-
thentic and curious information that Logan
Carlisle. '.the dreadful chief clerk as
the "countesses' in the Treasury call
him. has become an ardent civil service
reforIner.
Even Papa" Carlisle shares his views.
and during some time past they have been
going outside the Official routine to CON
suit the Civil Service Commission concern
ing appointments, promotions, reductions
or removals.
No more back-door. housebreaking, step
ladder cabin window methods OF getting
in or boosting inside Democratic high
binders.
Everything is on the dead level, and
there is a snoothness, an oiliness about the
machinery that is considered ominOus by
the Republicans.
Back in the time of Commissioner Greg
ory and, later, Teddy" Roosevelt. there
was standing offer OF 500 reward for
information OF violations in the depart
ments of civil service rules and law. 1t
has never been earned or claimed. but
now the Republicans are watching the
Democrats and the renewed promise of
500 reward.
Reporter True to His Trust.
Jacksonville. Fla. Nov. 21.-J.P. Clartson,
a reporter OF the Florida Times Union. was
rft., sr,, has ltarr tixn af f,.
Jail or divulging the name OF party who
iI,ai Ii ion Of indictIn hay-