The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-08
THE oonsUnAR srnrron.
The Unpreeedented Sweep Made by th,
Present Administration.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: 1 notice in
this mornings SuN an inquiry by Mr.. Abraham
Gruber relative TO changes In the public service
since tho incoming OF the Cleveland Adminis-
tra tion. and I take great pleasure in submitting
for his benefit and for the thoughtful consider
alton OF your readers the manner in which the
present Democratic Admlnistratio has carried
out its protestations Of civil service reform in
at least one branch Of the service.
From the most recent publications Of the State
Department. which I have at hand. I find that
since March 4, 1903, gag appointments have
been made In the consular service out OF a
total OF q trlne over 900 consular places. In
other words fully 30 per cent. of the incum-
bents In ONCE on March 4, 1903. have been re-
placed by Democrats, and Of the 30 per cont.
retained IL must DO understood that many OF
them were appointed to office when Mr.. Cleve-
land was President from 1885 to 1880, and re-
manned in ONCE throughout the Administratio
Of president Harrison. The record further shows
that fully one.third OF tho places which have
renamed undisturbed during the past four
years are absolutely valueless. In these places
the consular officer relies for his pay entirely
upon fees collected by him. and in many In
stances there were no fees collected. aud In all
the others tho annual fees amounted to less
than $500 for each consulate. Consequently.
the consular service, as it stands to-day, is COM
posed Of less than fifteen per cent. Of the per-
sons who were In the service four years ago and
who from salaries or fees received an annual
income Of Il 1000 or more.
The consular positions which have boen nlled
by the present Administrator represent TO the
incumbentsa yearly income largely In excess Of
half q million OF dollars. The aggregate yearly
earnings OF those who were permitted to hold
over amount to scarcely $4,000.
CnmmAnt Ia nnnRrRQgnFyf In thu fnrR nj the
above facts and figures. The persons who now
hold those offices passed no examination to de-
quired In n consular position. nor is the claim
put forth that they are peculiarly well equipped
lures, or that they have a proficient knowledge
OF the foreign languages. The fact is that these
places were wanted for Democrats, and the
most thorough. complete, and expeditions
change was made in all these offices that has
ever been known in the Department OF State
no injury was done the service by these changes
and removals. there Is no earthly, reason why
they should lHr ,I not i have been made, but The pur,
been honestly acknowledged by the President.
Having filled all the consular positions worth
having with his henchinen and personal follow
ers. the President. by order Of goth OF Septem-
Der. 1895, extended the rules of the civil service
so as to embrace the great majority of the con-
%eulates. Such an act on the part of the Presi-
dent may be Consistent with his entire public
career. and by his idolatrous worshippers may
be considered honest and in the line Of high.
pure: and nltra-ranctined politics. On the other
hand. 1t may by some he considered dishonest.
iosfpsy S? sentiments as' Of Pn reform Of tie Es eiyiI service cs
were being made I'D ndusenm during the entire
By Bsf the f EHseuti netef It Sas not Sh antif ever. we're d %sne
able office was allied with his friends that his
s9 sn,s wa s.G1 ul ,sas to pTT2 nn,GISS A., Ibis his ord doo of
after the theft OF the horse. II is truly displaying
great worldly wisdom to bolt. bar. and guard
your picked and choice eve lambs.
New YORK. Nov. 20. Ex-CoNsuL-