The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-26
The Ex-President Gives His Ideas on
the Civil Service.

the Civil Service.
Benjamin Harrison in Ladies' Home Jour-
nal,
Certain appointments, chiefly of clerical
Character. are by law given TO the heads OF
the departments. and with these the Presi-
dent usually refuses to interfere, though
TO refuse to send a card of recommendation
10 secretary, though / spent many a weary
hour explaining to friends why could not
DO so.
The appointments in each department that
are made by the President are, as / have
SAID, subject of consultation. All papers
sent 10 the President relating to such APP
Dointments are referred 10 the proper de-
parfment and there a brief is made up show
ing ing the Ia, names OF the different apphca1eS
mended. IL has come TO he custom that
IN all the appointments relating TO a con-
gressional district the, advice of the Con-
gressman-if he is of the same party as the
President-is expected TO be taken. This is
g. mere matter of custom. but II has become
so settled custom that the President finds
himself in not a little trouble IL ne departs
from IL. In the congressional districts repre-
sented BY Congressman Of the party opposed
10 the President the custom Is that the Sem
ator Serlators-if OF the Presidents party
make recommendations for local appoint
ments. The practice is to follow these rec
concentrations unless something to the preju-
dice or the character or fitness OF the appli-
cant Is alleged. In such case the President
of his own upon such representations and
recommendations as are made to him. When
ne does this the confirmation Of the appoint
ment, however good and exceptional in itself,
Is often held up in the Senate upon the OBJ
lection OF the Senator whose recommended
ton has not been followed. and is sometimes
Tor personal reasons. The power and duty
or selection ara vested by the Constitution
by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate" IL would seem that this power
vested in the Senate related only to the com
potency. fitness and character of the person
appointed. and not TO the special selection
but this view Is much varied by what is
called senatorial courtesy"
There can be no doubt that the participa-
ton or the Senate in the matter OF ap-
poinfments Is larger than was contemplate
ed: Still this usage has become so estab-
1ished that IL Is hard to break through IL
and as the President can, i'm the nature OF
things, know but little about the applicants
for local offices, and must depend upon
some one better informed than he to give
him the necessary information, IL is quite
natural that he should give great weight
man. 1t ought, however, to be admitted
that. as the responsibility rests upon the
president. he must be satisfied as to the
satisfactorily established. the public inter.
ests are saved. for the choice between men
equally NJ Is not very important. If there
- any objection to the appointment, grow
ing out OF the character or habits OF the
applicant. II is pretty sure to be brought
out. and on the whole. considering the
required to make without any personal
knowledge OF the appointees. the public SER
vice Is well and honestly conducted. There
- no duty devolved upon the President
that takes so much or his time or Is accom-
panied with so much annoyance and even
distress OF mind as this matter OF making
appointments.
At the beginning of every administration
Washington fills up with persons who desire
some office, either in the States in the de-
partments or In tie foreign service. Many
OF these persons have a limited purse. and
as the days pass on this is exhausted and
impatience and III temper come in Many
OF these persons are deserving and well
Is impossible 10 find places for all the de-
serving, and the position of the President
- fuli or trial The suspense and uncer-
AMY tnat the ONCE seeker suffers Is illus
rated py the case or man from my own
state who thought he had good reason to
expect an appointment from President Gar
Held After he had been weeks at Washing
ton- and mad brought TO bear all the infiu-
ence he could command 1 met him one day
on the street and asked him how he was
getting along. His answer was. VERY well.
very well. but there Is nothing focal vet
IL was wonderfully expressive and has re-
NAMED in my memory as a tyne OF the
state stat OF uncertainty which accompanies Of
hope that is hard 10 XIII
There are few Offices at Washington the
salaries OF which enable the incumbent TO
save any money. and the average ex-
perfence OF those holding places i'm the de-
partments. 1 am sure, is, IL they would
express IL. That private business offers bet
ter returns and gives a better chance for
advancement. The civil service has given
q measure of security to the Department
clerk. but even with this protection there is
sense OF insecurity and dependence which
Is not found In private pursuits But for
many persons there is a fascination abaut
the national capital and a zest and excite-
ment In life there that will continue to at
tract many a young man who could make
a much greater and more brilliant career
at home.