New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-18

York Every politician in New-York knows tha'
Van Colt would make just such appointments OF
Excise Inspectors as Mr. Platt would desire 10
have made The nquor-dealers would clearly un-
derstand II Var Cott appointed. that the
saloon was "in politics" and not taken out OF H.
as Mr.. Plat predicted would be the case II me
Raines biz should be signed
Assemblynan Sanger. OF Oneida THINKS 'ha' 'ie
excise inspectors should be subject 10 civil Service
examinations He made the following remarks this
morning on this subject
l am unqualihally Of the opinion that the SO,
called confidential agents under the flames pa
lions II the Civil Service system cannot deter
mine in common-sense and practical Nay n @r@1
sary merit and fitness, might as well ADMIT
thai me system and its administration failures.
Entirely apart from the obligation OF the con-
stitutional mandate that all appointments anu pro,
N,r merit and fitness It would be political blum
der of the magnitude TO have mo enforce
m men of this sv "a" Of being the poca
agents OF any man or party ~ me coihpesl'ttNs
honesty sobriety and faithful work in the posi-
tons they had previously held Il would protect the
no1ticai agents The power Of the Commissioner
OF Excise remove any one VINO has proved IN
fine OF $500 for neglect Of duty. would protect tae
Commissioner from having to retain men VINO ola
not up TO his standard OF excellence ,.
The present exemption Of c0nhdental en- M ZEE
from the operation Of the Civil Service AVS IS me
result OF the ruling adopted by me c.Vl atrrlo.
Commission. II is therefore within the province
OF the Commission to change its rules IN TINS re-
spect and to bring the agents provided Tor by tne
Raines bill under the Civil Service rules. IL Is
sincerely 10 be hoped that public sentiment VIII
express itself SO forcbly TO convince the civil
Service Commission. not OF the wisdom. FOR that Is
manifest but Of the necessity for such a change
II this change We're made thousands o. elttzfM a,
who question the wisdom OF the Itaines Dill
would become its hearty supporters
Governor Morton IS really the head OF the Board
Of Civil Service Commissioners, as he can remove
these officials al will. suggest changes In the CIVIL
Service regulations and approve or dlsapprove OF
any recomme ndatOns made II Will. Therefore, pe
In his power TO direct the Civil Service Connlis-
sjoners to take the excise inspectors out or the
'confaentiaP' list and compel them 10 submit 10
examination as 10 their qualifications.
But IL Governor Morton appoints such man as
Cornelius Van Colt State Excise Commissioner. II
will be almost hopeless to attempt 10 elevate ne
character OF appointments to b made by this ON
Ger: for Mr. Van Colt will see nothing else in his
power OF appointment than authority 10 put sixty
ieutenants OF Thomas c. Plat in office.
Governor Morton will give hearing tomorrow
morning 10 the Mayors of the cities OF the State
on the Raines bill. Mayor Thacher OF Albany has
already prepared argu nent In opposition 10 IL.
Mayor Jewett OF Buffalo. will appear az the hear
ing tomorrow and will oppose the bill. Mayor
Thacher received message from Mayor Jewett TO
this effect tonight. The Mayor OF jamestown also
telegraphed TO Mayor Thacher tonight that he
would oppose the bill az the hearing.