New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-22
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
CONDITIONS WHICH CONFRONT THE
NEW ADMINISTRATION.
TALK WITH ASSISTANT SECRETARY RYAN of
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.


Washington, May N.-The subject Of Civil Service
Reform In Its practical application under the regu-
lations and extensions OF the last ADMINISTRATOR
Is regarded and discussed In Washington as not oi
secondary Importance. and some OF the men VINO
have been devoted to the reform from the begin
ming have begun to tremble for its future One Vi
these | Assistant Secretary Ryan OF the De-
partment Of the Interior. AS member OF 'he
House Of Representatives In the XLVllth Congress
Mr.. Ryan advocated and voted for the civil service
bill which then became law by the votes Oh ne
publican majorities in both branches OF Congress
and the approval of a Republican President MT
Ryan was then serving his third term In congress
and 1t Is within the personal knowledge Vi '"o
writer Of this dispatch that he was as stahoh !"
supporter and defender OF the law during the tmee
terms thai he served In that body after is enact
ment he had been OF the principle therein en-
bodied for the six years before 1t was written LII the
statute book Twelve years service as Represen-
tative In Congress- much OF the time as member
of the Committee on Appropriations, whose )uris-
dicton then much more extensive than II NO"
is. gave him opportunities. which ne improves, 70
obtain thorough knowledge OF and deep insight
into the details well as the requirements Oh eX-
ecutive administration and also rather extensive
acquaintance with the personnel Of the public SER
vice In Washington and Its general efficiency
After interval OF eight years Mr. Ryan mas
returned to Washington as an executive ohicer
and In view Of his honorable record as a jealous
friend and advocate of Civil Service reform and MS
long experience as a legislator. his opinion Is en-
titled to considerable weight In the course OF con-
versation with Tribune correspondent Assistant
Secretary Ryan said.
The existing situation Is an unfortunate not 10
say critical one. from at least two points OF 'em lev
IL Is perhaps natural for some friends ana SUP
porters Of the merit system who have noy airsm
Of spoiIsmen end spoiis to regard any svstem
the perversion Of IT. may say-d n nbsI ntT Of
fed discOntented Off1ce-SeekerS
their friends This is great mistake ana ns Tne iII
be disastrous All the really ntelligent friends OF
Gv Service reform SUgt been
and dragged In the mire to serve partisan ehds
but even that is not the worst OF II. new carpy
out policies which in many respeGts
Dds to ss on re on the
threshold by an army OF official monuments nosue;
or the very eSs behind hi newly de
vised rules and regulations which were neVe, con
empated or OF by TIVE Wbose design
10 elevate and improve the efficiency OF the cieTcai
service in the executive departments OF the Gov
mainly in the rs srnde
S OF al and Chiefs Of
clerks. disbursing clerks, cashiers. ETC. ana IN a
Service law or regulations. but simply on account
branches Of the service watchmen. messengers.
Whose Places never fell within the .purview Of the
Civil Service law. according to Its trainers ana ad-
vocates. In both cases there seems to have been a
plain deliberate and studied perversion for partisan
But the worst mischief has been done. so far e Ss
efficiency Of administration Is concerned IN me
Of division are either indifferent or actually II not
Is expected to carry out. can be thwarted at every
turn. He cannot invite, or encourage their subor-
dinates to tell the truth or give him correct IN.
discipline Besides the chief OF division actually
holds in his hands the fate Of the clerks who are
his control. and he may manipulate them as he
pleases: and every clerk knows and realizes It,
which might be mentioned. have put strain upon
the merit system. which; as thorough believer in
fear 1t will not be able to bear and II It does. 1t
will be at the expense Of efficiency.
In the Interior Department well as in the
Treasury Department reform" riot during the
Cleveland Administration. Not only scores
of chiefs and assistant chiefs Of divisions Of long
experience and tried ability and efficiency dismissed
In order to make room for Democratic partisans.
but many others were reduced to the ranks for the
same reason. and then the mantle Of amended
| Civil Service regulations thrown all
Moreover the new chiefs and assistant chiefs
| turned their hands to the work Of REFORM" and
the efficiency records OF hundreds Of clerks were
so manipulated that many were dismissed and many
| more reduced to lower grades TO make room for
Democratic partisans. These are facts which are
easily susceptible Of proof. and. in view OF them i
is not strange that officials Who are now charged
ton sharply criticise and strongly protest against
| the methods by which they nave been so heavily
| handica pped. No person who Is not familiar with
| the official routine Of the executive departments
| In Washington can form any just conception Of the
perior classes Of subordinates below the heads OF
bureaus and offices, or how much the success OF
| any Administration depends upon their integrity
| loyalty and efficiency.