New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-21

TO AN AMUSING CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN
HIM AND THE GovERNoRAHIs pEvo-
TIoN TO THE MERIT SYSTEM.
.s JRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIsuNEI
Albany Jan. 20--An amusing faroe-comedy, en-
titled "A Reformer in Spite of Himself. was
presented in the Executive Chamber to-day. with
q final act in the Senate Chamber tonight. All
the politicians in the Capitol declared. when the
curtain fell at 9 O'Clock that they never saw
anything more humorous. First there appeared
upon the scene John Z. Parsons and James w.
Pryor of the City Club. of New-ierk. who
shocked Governor Morton by expressing doubts
that an active rural politician ike George p.
Lord, of Dundee who began his Legislative ca
reer in the Tweed Legislature of 1871 and who
had been accustomed for years TO the trades
and dickers of county politics. was the right
man to appoint member of the State Civil
Service Commission. Mr.. Morton informed them
that he had received assurances from Mr.. Lord
that be. was a. fEm believer in Civil seryiceHe-
form.
Mr. Morton might have told Mr.. Pryor and
Mr. Parsons that Mr.. Lord arrived in Albany
yesterday, that to-day he called at the EXecu-
tive Chamber in company with John Raines' ana
that he then expressed his fervent attachment
to the cause of Civil Service Reform as long as
there was salary attached to UNFOLDING it.
But it would hardly do for Mr.. Morton and Mr..
Lord to issue report of their conversation, and
John Raines's testimony that. from personal OBJ
servation. he knew with what anxious care Mi.
Lord had looked for the annual reports Of the
Civil Service Commission. Accordingly the
comedy passing between the Governor and Mr.
Lord took the form of letters.
This correspondence was placed before the Sen
puio, he ont r.
tainment. and of course could do nothing less
when the reading of the letters was finished
than to confirm Mr.. Lord by unanimous vote.
The correspondence between the Governor and
Mr. Lord follows:
Executive Chamber Albany. Jan Is. 1896
TIE Hen s G59rs ES Savs ssn sent commun
cation to the Senate nominating you to the office OF
caused by the resigi alton of Willard D. McKinstry
Since your nomination numerous objections nave
been h ma eS the to the ?I yGs and c
Service reform. and that il you should become
would be such as to diminish rather than increase
the efficiency Of the merit system ana %oha tea
and promotions in the Civil Service according 10 the
The Civil Service Commission created in 1888.
and il has become important depart In the
sponsbiiity. and its functions affect the highes n
terests Of the State The sentiment IN favor OF the
C Service Of the state has become qne strong Tn1
sion incorporated by the amendment OF 1924 ms ~
the very highest expression OF public opinion. ana
uence The people .haye said in their Fundamental
law tha, the meris system should be applied TO the
Civil Service OF the State and also to the minor
political Subdivisions. and the LEGISLATURE Is com
s %a"aSa 70 p snsS W into eject %
The provisions Of the Civil Service law have been
Works. and also to the Department Of State Pris-
ons and large number OF offices IN other 4EanShes
the competitive list. In communications to the
the growing sentiment in favor Of civil Service re-
FORM and to ana spprUyf ,ne IT.
m mtnds to the public service
You will readily perceive that the introduction
faithful execution Of the law would be seriously
deprscated NOT only by th9se whS haye @heS
vice reform but BY all who TesognSS the tact (ns
rmly estabshed by years Of successful experience
and by constitutional provisions o,.s.,,o., -
the objections made TO your appontmen' with the
hope that YOU may find @ 70 ms to
Very truly yours, LEVI r. MORLO%on,
Hon. Levi P. Morton. Governor.
Dear Sir; l am in receipt OF your. favor OF the
on tn ' the ONCE ss OF @ and
in which you say that objection has been made TO
2 be unfrlendy e the merit system as applied to
N This appointment was not Sought by me- but was
suggested by my friends Eho evidently bssye me
10 ana honor Conferred upon me By this
nor indifferent to the responsibility which will be i'm
posed upon me If the nomination be confirmed. and
deeply regret that any objection has been made
which may In the least embarrass YOU in your
official action especially that am The innocent
OF any criticism uron your administration.
am surprised the objection because | not
aware OF anything In my history. public private.
which would warrant any in supposng that |
not in sympathy with recent reforms in
1883 when the Civil Service law was ' passed ' and
voted for IT, ] have had peculiar opportunities for
observing the practical workings OF the law and the
development OF the ideas represented by IT. and the
result of my observation is that appca of the
merit system 10 the public service conduces to its
highest efficiency and is not only proper but
sary. 10 relieve the service from partisan Influence
and the most thorough influence Of admin
istration by competent officers. The incorporation
Of the Civil Service idea in the Constitution received
my approval and support.
think the tests to be applied In determining the
fitness OF applicant for public service should be