New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16
THE SPOILS BILL SIGNED.
AND BLACK sNEERs AT THOSE WHO OP-
POSED 1T.
a MEMORANDUM IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR IN
PUGNs THE CHARACTERS AND MOTIVES OF
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRMERs.

a MEMORANDUM IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR IN
PUaNs THE CHARACTERS AND MOTIVES. OF
CIVIL SERVICE REFoRMERs.
Albany. May Ex-Governor Black to-day
signed the bill which he got Senator Lexow to in
troduce in the Legislature. and which, TO use
his words. is intended to take the starch"
out of the present system of competition for
places in the Civil Service. He also made public
a memorandum which may be regarded as
counterhlast TO Carl Schurz and other Civil Serv-
ice reformers who came 10 Albany and made Il
forcible argument in opposition to the measure.
It is also suspected that Mr. Black in his men,
orandum sought 10 rap over the knuckles Henry
II. Lyman, the State Excise Commissioner. who
wrote a letter 10 George McAneny, secretary Of
the State Civil Service Reform Association, in
which he said he did not wish TO have the re-
sponsibility of examining applicants for subor-
dina,e places in his department. The Governors
memorandum follows
Many wise ana minded citizens are opposed
TO this measure but their opposition has been ex-
opinions have had great weight with me- and
am I RELY to Ss9sfe WIZ tne Sy mons
who are neither wise tar-minded These at
long since ceased 10 confde. For this latter class
have no respect II is COMPOSED mainly OF me 1ne
by some decrepit figure. VINO. having once enloyyu
betrayed
party, il now anxious 10 explain ana JUSTIFY ina
BETRAYAL! This jusjaca'icn when FeGu S publc
Officers are dishonest. ana should not be trusted,
This conclusion is probably natural II based upon
The American public S long-sunCring ana kinr.
but II despises those who hope ny Is in.
10 postpone Tor a day their own departure 4'i'0
complete obscuri,y. ALL. civil
in favor of honest and eS ama lt KEN.
Service and will support any law tnai seeAs , IN y
10 produce ha result the S pariH not only
;avors honest result but II also faVo'S 'e"o'''
ing it in an honest way ~ooon,,,. witnessed the
Wholesale removal Of trusted officials In GovTi Ii
ment employ and The MINIS oI faith This
Inanpuvre followed by putting IN, tne sppfvies
thus allied under the pro'eGuosns Gi 5ivi Ser
vice Reform and has been praised ana gus 'tl 9
This faSt alone should dispose of their sincerity
for they knew It was not reform 9ut TanN Gha
ever the Republican party believes it has the cour;
sss to admit v Se sySe IN s a Of and
eubterfuse and II has the courage 10 pass Id"
Pubic duties cannot be we'll performed by those
who possess education and nothing els! !S ,rSss
duties are varied. important and exacdhs boss
qualities recognized oy sensible men THe ~ bis nri
waite business could hope 20 succeed II ne sel sou
his help in accordance with the pfesehhi ss ever
does select. yet II is universally admtteG Una;
as nearly as Possi9tf upon o1 3' rue in public at
fairs which we reject in own? 80.
have been told that the reason Is that Pu rd-
officers cannot be trusted 10 select thsir su f5
upon them by political influence Men who believe s
this 70 be true are %e1H Sf system
remedy the trouble? II public oincfr h 5b eHe
why would not 4 public officer having the power
Of examination be dishonest as well? Both are
party for their places To my mind. il seems prob
able that Civil Service examiner would ylelGd 70
corrupt pressure sooner than the Responsible heaq
OF a department. For in the case OF the examiner
h. has no po fba gguseatons of his incompe
ten, and low-bred friends without limit and send
ensiss fer their EN- as or TerT Ge6rmen
IS responsible res for the V conduct of its aars He
corruption or stupidity Of his subordlnaes must be
paid BY him: His own safety demands a careful
Scrutiny OF those who serve under him.. 1t is clear
likely TO produce results harmful 70 the pubic serv-
Ice II he is an exae h W tad f0 az sWHg ana mo-
Tea Suf BY his end aod the he
has had full power 70 select employees and the
departments have had the sole responsibility OF
! have been tod. too that heads Of Departments
have TO time C devote 70 the selection Of help II
@ ~ M ana ds FER @ Of bev are osen They
are supposed to manage improve, discipline and ad-
vance in every way the affairs Of the department
cowed by the perennial reproach of the Civil Service
Pharisee that he IS afraid 70 tell the whole truth
own Office than an examination board can select for
him II will be observed that those oficcTS VINO
are quoted as favorlAg the present system seldom
say more than that they are glad 10 be relieved Of
the duty OF selecting their subordnates. They
should not be relieved and a system that has It's
highest testimonial the admission OF timid official
that ne is willing shrk part Of his duty should
not he considered sacred. nor those criticse IL
protane. . -. l., -. s,,
% determine experience. TACT character and habits.
Qualities without which the highest educational
fests re OF no value. This bill makes proper and
receesary modification Under the old system the
recent graduate Of the nigh school or college would
he almost certain be appointed. Under the sys-
Yem provided In this bill the practice. training
habits tact and manners Of the applicant VIII he
chances Of the practical man FOR aIpointmehi ana
Of the public service for Improvement VIII he
iy tncreased II criticism IS to be made or thr
words ''rnert" and fitness, that criticism shonId
re addressed not 10 the LexOw bill, but 10 the
Constitution from which instrument these latter
words are taken. -. .,,,.a, aud
responsibility in those holding public ONCE me
Nrif- Of legislation in recent years mas D-1H 70
cIofhe MAYORS of cities ard other important ofic
With enlarged powers. This tendency has 2eneraiIE
Numbered among IS advocates such persons as
now oppose this bill. How can II be consistently
urged that the power Of these officers, under 70
nec,n,ary liability whatever for the acts or their
srhorfirates should be enlarged while the heads
~ denartrrents responsible IN every sense ana IN
eyery vav for their subOrdinates. should ne anSo-
yu.ey stripped OF The power Of selection? The pres
emf system Is neither just nor practical J oeGeV"
IRE Yexow bill improves Il in both respects. y J.
Scee not or " something better can be devised,
nm willing 70 cooperate with those VINO VIII III
rood faith make the attempt 70 imnroye T.
eV'N ' FRANK 6 BLACK.