Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-26
THE DEMOCRATS IN OFFICE
Benefits to Them of the Civil Service Ex-
tensions.
How the Question of Recognition by
Mr.. Mckinley of Gold Democrats
May BE Solved.

The politicians are discovering that the
question of the recognition Of gold demo-
Gratis under the new administration will in
a large measure solve itself The civil serv-
ice law has been SO extended under the
present administration that 1t now covers
long list of places which heretofore have
gone to the party victors at the polls.
These places are in the customs service
and internal levenue service, and the in
cumbents, appointed under the old system,
are all democrats. A very large majority
of these officials voted either for Mr.. Nc
Kinley or for General Palmer And for
two reasons. First, being in the service
under the Treasury Department, they felt
inclined to support their chief, Mr.. Car
Isle, in the fight for sound money; and
second, being in office, and protected by the
civil service law, their own interest coun-
seled support Of the party committed to
the upholding of that law. Mr.. Mckinley
has won, and the civil service law will be
upheld, and these men. according to that
policy, will be secure in their places.
This item in the states of Ohio, Illinois,
Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and
Virginia, where internal revenue receipts
are heavy, will cut figure. Heretofore a
collector of internal revenue has controlled
all Of the patronage under him. His depu-
ties, his clerks, the gaugers and the store
keepers have all been appointed upon his
recommendation. Now, only the chief
clerkship of his office remains outside of
the operations of the civil service law. So
that the collector has been stripped of his
patronage, and the old-fashioned party
machine of much of its power These
places, all with good salaries attached, are
numerous In the states named, and here
tofcre they have entered somewhat influ-
entially into the local party calculations
But, as already stated, they are now filled
by democrats, who are protected by the
civil service law, and those who are char
acterized as pie hunters will have to take
notice accordingly.
1t Is regarded as not unlikely that here
and there an attempt may be made to
eVade the law, and, under a sort Of cover
reward party men on party grounds. But
the opportunities, even for those disposed
to resort to such a thing, will be limited
While new appointments will be made up
on the collectors request, and a statement
py MIN that they are necessary for the
good OF the service, they will come through
the regular channels of civil service selec-
tlons and not, as heretofore according to
his individual desire and designation. 1t
VIII not be in his power, therefore, to re-
cast his force On partisan lines even by
calling for additional help and discriminat-
ing against democrats in the matter of as
signments to work
But the belief is that, in the main, the
law under the new administration will be
rigidly enforced. Mr. Mckinley is a friend
of the law, and during the campaign de-
clared for it without reservation, and it is
not thought that when he takes office he
Will tolerate any fine work. on the part
of any subordinate who may desire to null
lify or abuse it. A close watch will very
likely be kept on all such officials, and a
report promptly made to the proper au-
thorities of any violation of the law.
The democratic machine men hope to
benefit by this situation. They have AN
idea that it will deeply gravel the republi-
can party workers, particularly in the
border states. to see democrats continue in
enjoyment Of good offices, even under the
protection of the civil service law. after
national republican responsibility has be-
gun, and that they will not be appeased
when reminded that these democrats are
sound money men and helped to achieve
the republican victory.