The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-17
MEETING OF THE LEAGUE.
Secretary McAneny's Annual Report
Mar. FOuIke' Remarks.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 16.-The sixteenth sn-
nual meeting of the National Civil-service
Reform League began here to-day with
Hon. Carl Schurz presiding. The forenoon
session was devoted to a joint meeting or
the general and executive committees, with
closed doors. Among the delegates present
are: William Dudley Foulke and Jesse
Reeves. of Richmond, Ind. Lucius b. Swift,
Noble c. Butler, Hilton u. Brown, Albert
E. Mctzger and Frederick w. Dewhurst, OF
Indianapolis, Ind; Henry NJ. Williams, OF
Fort Wayne. Delegates from municipal or
CARNATIONS are also present.
At the afternoon session Secretary George
McAneny verbally submitted his annual re-
port, showing that President Mckinley had
consistently observed the civil-service law,
but that determined assault was being
made against civil-service laws in Congress.
The secretary reported that many Repub-
leans in Congress wanted to force the Pres
ident to disregard civil-service rules or de-
prive him of his power. A letter had been
addressed to Congressman Grosvenor, an
swering the charges which he had recently
made. The secretary recommended the ex-
tension of the civil-service rules to the con-
sressional library and the Census Bureau.
The fourth-class postmasters will probably
be reached by consolidation with other pos
tai affairs. Under the secret examinations,
the present administration had changed 81
per cent. of the consular system. Referring
to the work by States, the secretary said
it was the general opinion that 1.-The Black
civil-service law" in New York would be
repealed, as 1t was considered failure III
operation.
ported that the work of the league in Penn
sylvania had been futile, owing to Senator
Quay controlling the Legislature, which ig
nored all the pledges of the Republican state
convention for civil-service reform.
John w. Eta, of Chicago, reviewed The adj
ministretions of Mayors Swift and Harri-
son.. The real test of the Illinois civil-serv-
ice law comes now under Mayor Harrison.
Owing to technical points against the APP
pointees of Mayor Swift. changes are being
made rapidly The commissioners on boards
of Mayor Harrison are not favorable to the
law, but Mayor Harrison has pledged him.
self to its support. There are cases now
pending to test the Illinois civi-service law
in the courts, and it is generally believed
that its conStitutionality will be sustained.
When the law passes the test of the SUI
preme Court it Is believed that it will be
enforced and that municipal civil-Service
reform will be in force in Chicago.
sherman S. Rogers. of Buffalo, reported
and on its success in Buffalo, where the
municipal civil-service commission had the
loyal support of their mayor.
Charles j. BOnaparte, of Baltimore.
ported on the recent experience in-sMary-
land Of a popular vote for civi-service re-
form. The amendment was not submitted
in sincerity, not supported sincerely. and.
of course, defeated by those who professed
sympathy for it. The case was submitted
to the people in Maryland on the local-op-
ton law, with about all the civil-service
features omitted. He said the vote against
Senator German was more of test on the
civil-service reform sentiment than the
vote on the amendment.
Rev. r. W. Lord reported on the defeat
of the civil-service bill in the last Mime
sofa Legislature, but 1t was expected to
pass the next Legislature. They also ex-
pected to secure new charters for st. Paul
and Minneapolis with civil-service provi-
sions therein.
William Dudley Foulke, of Richmond. re-
ported that the state institutions of Indiana
were under civil-service rules. The asso-
citation of Indiana is at work, but has done
little in municipal affairs. Mr.. Foulke
opened the discussion on the proposed legis-
lation in Congress affecting civil service. He
considered the political agitation as the
usual cry that is heard every four years,
and that it would result in no change.
General discussions followed on the extern
sion of the rules necessary to complete
classification on the need Of a classified
census office. on the further reform of the
consular service and on the promotion and
removal orders of the President and de-
partment officers. The league then adj
journed till 10 o'clock tomorrow.