The times., 1897-05-23

report that file cfvil service apDoi ntee
averaged as high in intelligence as otIieI
appointaes. whereas, Mr.. Harold Ben,,iict
has said they were so per cent better han
spoils system appoiptees.
Mr.. Kennedy insisted that the civil
service law did not protect offcehoiders.
He believed the examinations should be
entirely practical and should not 90 ir to
the scholastic .attainments. The witncss
was asked if q, man could be good co,n-
postor and not pass the civil service
examination Mr., Kennedy replied ;,f-
firnatiyely. There was some anuseme mt
at the witness remarks concerning a
rule prohibiting the classification Of
"workmen" ''lf the committee desires ne
TO give q definition of the word 'workmen'
according to Webster, Worcester, and the
Century dictionary, | will do so''
That is not at all necessary answered
Senator EIkins This did not quench The
witness, however.
Il would suggest to the committee that
they look up the definition themselves and
note the meaning OF the word in connec-
tfon with the civil service rule
superintendent August w Machen, of the
postoffice free delivery system, was called
charges made by Mr.. Hill against his
office concerning the employment of the
postoffce inspectors. Mr. Machen called
the attention OF the Committee to a Com
gIessional Record reference to the record Of
Mr. Hill
Mr.. Machen was appointed in 1886 as
assistant postmaster at Toledo On August
go, 1893, he was made superintendent CT
the free delivery system. He said when lie
and First Assistant Postmaster General
Jones cane into office there were pending
a large number OF overtime claims. Up
to that time Congress had appropriated over
$3,000,000 to meet these claims 1t was
discovered that carriers were reporting
eight hours work, yet doing overtime and
covering IL up to later on be able TO file a
claim for overtime. Their trip reports
would show eight hours yetif they filed
claim they could not prove the same 1t
was determined by the department TO send
out confidential agents to secure informa-
tion as To the conduct OF the carriers and
the postmasters
At the time AIR. Machen reported the num-
ber OF secret agents there We're ten Re-
publicans and forty Democrats on the 'In-
spector Roll.'' The average expenses OF
the men were So. 23 per day, including rail-
road fare. said the witness. Mr.. Machen
denied that Chief Agent Bellman' . expenses
were SIT per day. In reality, his average
for u year was S5.39
Referring to Mr. HIS charge that the
inspectors were employed for political rea-
sons, the witness, Mr. Machen, spoke OF an
examination into the management of the
Philadelphia postoffice, where, upon re-
pert OF the inspector, the force was re-
duced, 100 men. creating a considerable
saving.
None or these men were removed until
after a fair hearing before the department.
Mr.. Machen offered statement showing
that in response 10 call for the political
complexion OF certain postmasters 316 were
Democrats, 229 Republicans, / Populist, and
unknown.
Concerning the charge made by Mr. Hill
that he was sent TO New York for politi-
cal reasons Mr. Macheu said: Il deny
that I sent him there for any such pur-
poses. The charge was utterly false
did send four men with him TO investigate
a complaint, but the men have since in
formed me that Mr.. Hill did nothing, he
being drunk nearly all the time
Commissioner Proctor referred to an as
sertion BY Mr.. Hill that his examination
papers had been extracted from the Civil
Service Commission. and asked Mr.. Machen
whether that paper had not been called
for by the Postoffice Department to lean
Of Mr.. Hill record. Mr.. Machen answered
affirrnativeiy.
Senator Prtchard-Do you know why
Mr.. Hill was discharged?
Yes. sir; for conspiracy, and his con-
duct in examination OF overtime claims"
What was the nature of his con-
spiracy?''
We'll, he pried open drawers. with
drew papers and examined waste-baslicts
We became suspicious of him and placed |
two inspectors to run him down They
did so, aud. In fact, run down three-;Iul, |
Sullivan and Beight, who were all to- |
gether," answered Mr.. Machen.
but what was the real nature of his |
insisted Senator Pritchard |
Mr.. Machen explained that Mr Hill had |
extracted a personal letter from a desk, |
which, without explanation, looked com |
prorni sing.
'.I refer to the charges that I assessed |
inspectors for political purposes, said MI |
MacheD. Il never did anything OF the |
kind. There were some agents who, while |
In Chicago, got together and decided to |
make donation to the Campbell cam
paign fund.
ITO understand this you must know that |
even the agents personal letters were sent |
to the department to be forwarded so as
% keep secret their movements. 1t was |
customary to nave Mr.. Bellman take money |
wives and creditors.
About this time these inspectors asked |
or the pa yment per order of the campaign
Mr.. Bellman paid those
orders just the same as any other orders.
BE did not question the order"
Senator Pritcbard drew an admission |
rom Mr.. Ma chen that one inspector, W.
E. Clark, was employed under an assumed
name.
What was his true name?'
''Macben,'' responded the witness, who
added: THAT was done to keep his move
nents secret"
Mr.. Macbcn denied having compelled |
inspectors. preceding their appointment, TO
axe out life insurance policies with a rer-
ain insurance compa ny.
Concluding his testimony Mr.. Machen
aid the civil service rules were rigidly
enforced in his ,tdepa rtment, Asked by
senator Pritchard ifAe had any suggestions
% ma Ike as to anaipsrovement Of the FER
ice, the witness said:
Yes; l believe something should be
lone to prevent the entrance into the de
'artment OF such1emen as HilI,' whom
ir. Machen ch'frsed with having been in
10 pnnitant t;.