The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-06
Civil Service Gets a Blow Be-
tween the Eyes
From the New Pension Agent,
Cyrus Leland.
HIS "SPOILS" POLICY
Begun by a Heavy Reduction of
Salaries
On Certain Clerks Whom He
Wishes to Resign.

Pension Agent Cy Leland has made the
initial steps toward cleaning out tie
Democrats in the Topeka pension office.
Before he went home last week he for
warded to Washington list of six clerks
whose salaries he recommends be reduc ed.
AT the same time he recommended the
discharge of one of the clerks. Who this
clerk is who is to be dropped is not known
andMr. Leland is not doing any talking
but it is said that he received his appoiat-
ment from Oklahoma.
The list of the six clerks who are TO
have their salaries reduced will not be
made public until the official order is re-
ceived from Washington, which will
probably not be for week or two.
This action of the new pension agent
outlines his policy, at least to some ex-
tent He will rid himself of the Demo-
Gratis just as fast as he can and the first
method tried viii be by reducing salar-
les.
When man who has worked faithfully and
well finds order ON his desk reducing
him to the lowest class and the lowest
salary the chances are that he will
sign-at least that is the way the new
pension agent figures it.
1t was reported that Chief Clerk Howe
was to be displaced but there is foun
dation for the rumor and the facts are
that Mr.. Howe will stay in the office and
retain his position. There is no class Of
work with which the chief clerk is not
familiar for he has been in the office for.
many years and his discharge would
mean a great deal to the head of the
office. 1t is the chief clerk who LOOKS
after all the routine work
a few days ago Pension Agent Leland
called in two of the old clerks. He made
careful inquiry about the politics of the
employees and their proficiency. He did
not indicate what he intended to do but
a short time afterward the list was for
warded to Washington.
One of the men it is reasonably certain
will be reduced is Fred H. Click. son OF
ex-Pension Agent Click. Leland told I.
friend that he could not out of courtesy
have the son of his predecessor dis
charged. Fred Click now draws 81, 800
year and signs all checks. His place Will
be given to a Republican and ne viii be
given less important position.
There is some question about tna posi-
ton of private secretary to Air Leland.
The place is held by Harry Tracy.
who is a Democrat. Mr.. Tracy is work
ing to be transferred to Washington. Oil
yer Wilkerson, son of ex-Sheriff Wilker-
son, will probably be made private secre-
tary. Wilkerson was recently IransTerrei 1
from the pension department at Washing
ton to Topeka and he is said to be A.
competent man.
While Mr.. Leland was in Washington,
Thomas Ryan, who is assistant secre-
tary of the interior evolved a scheme for
getting rid of Democrats in the Topeka
pension office.
The Topeka office receives a small ap-
propria ton for the number of pension srs
paid at the office and the scheme is to
ask congress for an additional appropria-
ton. Republican clerks will be put
with the extra money and the agent viii
then say that he does not need so much
help and the Democrats will be dropped
and the Republicans kept. This viii
necessarily take a year or two and mean
while places will be made by the method
of reducing salaries. 1t will also be a
violation of the law. but this fact does
not seem to bother Cyrus Leland.
Mark Miller, who is the only Republi-
can appointed since Mr.. Leland took
charge, is an old soldier who was dis
charged by Pension Agent Click He made
a good record in the office.