Evening star., 1896-12-22
THE CIVIL SERV E
MI. Baker Attacks the System as It is
Now Carried On.
Wholesale Dismissal of Republicans
Charged Hi. Remark. Re-
sented by Democrats.


New Hampshire made an attack upon the
civil service system as far as it relates to
the departments at Washington. He offer
ed an amendment. which viii be voted upon
later, and to which his remarks were ad-
dressed. The amendment was as follows:
The head of each of the several execu-
tive departments, at his discretion. may re-
1nstate o. reappoint to any subordinate po-
sitlon, which from any cause may become
vacant in his department, any person now
or formerly employed in the civil service of
the government who, in his opinion, was
reduced in salary or was discharged from
service for causes not affecting his or her
effcieEcy or moral character, and such
prior service Cor that purpose shall be held
ID be equivalent to civil service certificate
OF eligibility, anything in any statute, rule
or regulation to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
Wholesale Dismissal of Republicans.
Mr. Baker then proceeded to the state
ment that under the democratic administra-
ton there had been wholesale dismissals
from the departments of republican en-
ployes. He said: for instance, that in the
secret service branch of the Treasury De-
partment there was only one republican in
the whole staff of employees. He read to
the House a letter from clerk, whose
name he withheld, complaining that under
this administration the civil service law
was cloak to hide many unjust practices
upon republican clerks This employe
stated that democrats who had been re-
tanned in office through the generosity of
republican officials row turn upon their re-
Fupncan collesg CUES with great spite and
venom, and seek means to destroy them
and secure their dismissal.
Mr.. Baker said that clerks were forbidden
to give Information about changes in the
departments He knew that Instructions
had been given them not to talk with Con-
gressmen about such matters. Mr.. Baker
mad been connected with the Treasury De-
partment from 1885 to 1875 and he was
convinced that there had never been time
when the department was so well managed
when it employed clerks of such ability.
ana who paid as much attention to their
duties as during the so-called spoils time
from 1865 to 1873. He said that in those
Gays clerks were men, and neld their heads
up as such; now they are no better than
factory hands.
His Remarks Resented.
Mr.. Bakers statements were vigorously
resented by other members on the floor
MI Terry of Arkansas asked him what
proportion of democrats and republicans
there were in the departments, and, failing
to get the figures, Mr.. Terry ventured the
statement that not over 25 per cent of the
employees in the public service are demo-
Gratis. Mr.. McMilin of Tennessee asked
which even 80 per cent of the clerks are
democrats. Mr.. Baker named the secret
service DIVISION, in which he said there was
only one republican. Mr. McMllin replied
that there are only about twenty clerks in
the service, and that it has been the rule
under all admin!stra tions to have the secret
service division composed Of partisans of
the administration then in power. Mr..
Richardson of Tennessee called Mr. Bakers
ATTENTION to the weather bureau, the chief
OF Whlch was a republican appointed under
this administration, He said that all of the
principal chiefs of division in the weather
bureau were republicans.
The Merit system Defended.
Mr.. Brosius of Pennsylvania then look
the floor to defend the merit system in the
civil service of the government. He op.
posed Mr.. Bakers amendment, and said
1t would emasculate the civil service law.
would destroy, it and render it absolutely
useless Mr. Brosius paid high tribute to
the merit system, and said he would ex-
tend the civil Service to cover every en-
ploye OF the government. He praised the
recent PRONUNCIATION of President Cleveland
extending the merit system. He said that
II the rules thus promulgated were prop
erly enforced merit system would prevail
in the civil service that would do all that
could be desired for it.
Mr.. Brosius was sorry, however, that be-
fore promulgating this order of extension
there had been such partisan action in the
appointment of employees. He said that
up to six months ago more than one-half
of the civil service OF the government was
under the spoiis system While It was
true that the administration had obey
the rules promulgated by the President
since they became operative, the admin
istration did all the harm it could co be-
fore they were promulgated.