Evening journal., 1897-12-11
DESIRES NO CHANGE.
Secretary Long on the Civil
Service System.
BENEFITS OF THE PRESENT GETHOD.
Tie Says the Examinations Are Better
Than They Have Been Represented
and That They Result In Obtain
iuy More Competent Clerks.

WASHINGTON, Dec 10.-Secretary
Long Of the navy, in an interview, has
expressed the hope that the present
civil service system will not be impair
ed. He said he had entire sympathy
with the congressman who are brought
directly in contact with applicants for
official position, but believes that the
president is right and should be sus-
tanned. lie was of the opinion that the
great body of the people have no de-
sire to go back to the old system
certainly not If their attention is call
ed TO the merits of the case. With great
Difference for the opinion Of others who
differed from him, the views which be-
fore occupying his present position be
had held with regard to the benefits of
the present system had been confirmed
by his experience in the navy depart
ment. He said:
"First.-The government gets better
service. The civil service examinations
are much better than represented. but
even at their worst they result in fur
nishing most competent clerks who, in
stead Of looking TO political influence
for their retention in Office. know that
that depends on their merit and good
work The power of removal which
hangs over them all the time and which
should never be impaired and which
the heads of departments are constant
W invoking In cases of inefiiciency
keeps them up to the mark
Second. - The congressman them
selves. as we'll as the heads Of depart
ments are relieved from what used to
be an incessant drive upon them. TAX
Ing half their time. Under the old sys-
tenn, where they pleased one they made
enemies of ten. More and more as the
new system becomes settled will this
relief increase.
"Third.-The applicant for Office is
put on a true democratic and American
footing. The old system was absolute
ly undemocratic and un-American. If
there is a democratic or American prin-
ciple il Is that every man shall have
a chance and win according to his mer-
| itA What would be said If a school
marin were to put at the head Of her
class not the best scholar but the
\ scholar whom the school committee
man who secured her her place directs? q?
There would be stoEm in every Amer
| lean household.
"And yet under the old system the
! congressman, even if against his will,
was compelled to be a czar in the mat
ter of appointments. The young Amer
lean citizen desirous Of entering the ma
tional service could only do so, not by
going into competition with other can
didates, but by securing the consent OF
a political party authority. 1t was not
enough that he was one of the people
butt he must be within the circle of in
| nuence Of those TO whom that authority
was under obligation"
The secretary added that his depart
ment was now. both in the clerical anc
| labor lines entirely within the civil
service rules, except with regard tC
about a dozen places. those being main
" persons employed off and on al
| about 81 a day. He was rather glac
that these were left under the old sys
TEN, as they furnished an object lessor
of some of it's Objectionable features.