New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-12

good examination Superintendent skinner.
too. wants man he knows TO tell him person
Is fitted for a place. In that he would not
agree with Controller Roberts who took the
word OF Congressman Odcll that Corwin. the
Sing Sing Prison clerk was fitted for the place.
ONLY TO lm forced 10 remove him as dpfaulter.
Then there is Hugh Hastings. the State His
torian. who had his eye on sienographer u
young woman of superb qualities. beautiful ana
accomplished well read in the period Of history
upon which Mr. Hastings was engaged. capable
Of being the companion and Solace of his labors.
But Il tyrannlcal Civil Service law tore her from
him. for she was only eighteenth on the list.
He was blessed 10y her presence for n month.
il is true. but then fate sent in her stead some
mere mechanical operative. just commonplace"
person with no appreciation Of letters and art.
and. for all we know. so homcy as to destroy
the peace Of mind so essential To the work Of n
historian. The Commissioner of Labor Stats
ties thinks the merit system leads logically TO
monarchy. II a good clerk Is 10 he Kept III Of
hce for fitness. then good Governor ought To
he continued In Office" and our liberties are NJ
an end. This is an awful prospect. and it Is II
relief to turn Ia Superintendent Easfon anu
find that his principal trouble Is with veterans.
who if they get before him at ALL have to be
appointed and who are SO troublesome To ge'
lid Of If incompetent that ii is better To pay
another man ont Of the State Treasury 10 do
their work than to discharge them. 1t is not
often that all opponent Of the rigid application
Of the merit system attacks favorlism in dis
trilmting Offices even when il is for 80 gooh
cause rs the rcwarding Of old soldiers.
All Of these gentlemen are particularly con
cerncd 10 make il appear that civil Service Re
form is not '.practical' and that what is needed
is great liberty on the part Of the appointing
officer In the of his superior powers Of per-
ceptOn in the Judgment Of character. Excise
Commissioner Lyman. who has had experience
with "contdcntial" subordnates and The rec
concentrations Of politicians who knew men
we'll Notwithstanding his general agreement. Oh
politics with these officials. diss,nts utterly
fl ON their view of examinations. lie believes
that examinations Of Il Thoroughly practical
nature can ln devised 10 test moral and physi-
cal, ms we'll rs mental qualifications. and op-
poses The schcm" 10 make the appointing power
his own examiner. He Is undoubtedly right.
II Is perfectly po>>iblr 10 max" II candidate"
prove 10 a board Il character much more To i"
relied upon than an! testimonial Of II political
friend. Every practical civil Service rrforme.
has been working steadily Ia improve the sys'
TEN in this direction. II the Stat" officers will
meet the Civil Service boards in proper spirit.
instead Of trying 10 discredr the merit system.
there need be no trouble about getting proper
men for the public service Bni they just
now more anxious 10 discrr,lit The machinery
which for every one improper man il forces
upon them hy mistake prevents them from
forcing ten improper persons upon the tax
payers by design.