The morning times., 1896-12-24


ed out OF unprotected places FOR partisan
reasons shat out permanently by the cx-
tension of the civil service rules.
The evidence that the fight is not
to be abandoned by the Republicans is
found In an amendment presented in the
Senate by DR. Ga!linger, referred to the
Civil Service Committee and ordered print
ed the day before the legislative bill passed
the House 1t will be proposed as an addi-
ton to the civil service appropriation as
soon as proper after the bill appears in the
Senate.
How 1t VIII Be Done.
1t provides that 1.-The head OF each OF
tie several executive departments. at his
discretion, may reinstatc or Tcappoint to
any subordinate position which, from any
cause, may become vacant III his depart
ment any person now or formerly EN-
ployed in the civil service OF the govern
Hent. who, in his opinion, was reduced in
salary or was discharged from the service
for causes not affecting his or her ef-
fiCiency or moral character; and such
prior service for that purpose shah he
held TO be equivalent to Il civil service
certificate of eligibility, anything in any
statute. rule or regulation to the contrary
not outstanding
This is the same amendment word for
word, as proposed by Mr.. Baker in tie
House, and indicates an agreement be
tween the Republican leaders in regard
TO the matter. 1t probably affects more
persons who are still in the departments
than it does of those who are out. Many
of tie latter have gone away from Wash
ingtou, while others have got into other
business aud are not seeking rcappointmcnt.
Wien President Cleveland was inaugur
ated there was a great rush OF Democrats
for appointments. At that time there
were only about one-fourth, or fewer OF
the tot Al - 400 government places under
civil service rules; now nearly three
fourths re thus protected. Where the
rules did not apply removals were made
daily There was not, as sometimes in
tie old DAYS, a list made up for par
tiCular division and everybody on it re-
moved by one stroke OF the official pen;
hut from day to day one. two and three
at a time in the various departments Re
publican officials and clerks were dropped
from the lists.
This was done in such a way as to at
was accepted by the persons turned out as
the thing to be expected, and very little
talk was made about it. AT the same
time Republican clerks We're reduced
right and left and Democrats put in their
places. Usually, this was done under
examinations for promotion, but it made
a good deal Of gossip inside official
circles, very little outside.
High Places Hit.
The class where the largest percentage
of changes is noted is that or chiefs OF
di visions and other highsalaried posi-
tions. These have always been regarded
as belonging, in some measure, To the
administration family, and even under
the civil service law as outside the
class who ought to he protected.
1t has, been supposed that they Were
entrusted with the faithful execution of
theadministrative policies, and were Icces
sarily of the administration politics in
order to prevent Il hostile or half hearted
execution OF the work planned. They
have been expected To share nearly all
party secrets, and to hold confidential re-
latons To the Cabinet Accordingly, there
was no surprise when these places were
filled. The surprise came when President
Cleveland put these places under civil
service rules. a large part. even of those
Interested, including many Congressman, do
not vet understand that this has been
done. Many applications are pouring in
from all over the country for these places.
Probably the Treasury department leads
the 9th ers IN the thoroughnCSs with
which the work OF replacing Republicans
with Democrats has been done.
ndment Is Far-Reaching.
The effect of the Gallinger amendment
is not appreciated till considered in
connection with the civil service law
1t permits appointments only to places
that may become vacant" and there are
many who think when positions are spoken
of as protected by the civil service rules
that removals are prevented.
This is not true, except in roundabout
way. Any appointing power can remove
at will without assigning any cause what
ever. He is only forbidden to say that
the change is for political reasons, and
there is no power to compel him to say
anything. But under the present civil
service rules there is no way to put in the
vacant place the person for whom 1T is
deSi red. It must be ed from the
list of eligibles at the Civil Service Com.
mission.
But when this amendment shall have
become the law it will not be necessary
to go the Civil Service Commissions; the
former Republican officials can be re-
appointed. Vacancies will be made fast
enough.
Election of Officers.
At meeting of Northeast Washington
| Council No. 755, National Union. held a