New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-30
CIVIL SERVICE INQUIRY RESUMED.
A DENIAL FROM CONGRESSMAN RICHARDSON
THE SYSTEM ~ THE INDIAN SERVICE.

4 DENIAL FROM CONGRESSMAN RICHARDSON
THE SYSTEM ~ THE INDIAN SERVICE.
Washington MAY 2s-Representative Richardson,
Of Tennessee was the first person to appear before
the Senate Committee on Civil Service to-day. he
had been attracted by the statement MADE al the
last session of the committee by Harold Benedict
that IN the latter part OF Mr.. PameTs adminlstra-
ton of the Government Printing Office seventy
five persons had been appointed at Mr.. Richard
sons instance while he was chairman OF the House
Committee on Printing. Mr.. Richardson declared
Mr. Benedicts statement 10 be untrue. He said
that in his entire service OF ten years as member
Of the Printing Committee he had secured the ap-
pointment Of only eighteen persons. all from MS
district He said however that he had Endorsed
the applications Of others from all political parties
but did not suppose they had been charged to him
Mr. Richardson said that so far as his observation
went the general work OF the Printing Office Is
now in better shape than ever before.
Captain R II. Pratt superintendent Of the Indian
School at Carlisle Penn. took strong grounds
against the Civil Service system Of selecting en-
ployes in the Indian service. He disclaimed being
an advocate Of the spells system, but emphasized
his opposition TO a system which nufes the judg-
ment Of those who are responsible for the success
OF the Government service. He said that In his
thirty years Of service he had never observed
greater abuses under the old system than under the
present.
Proctor the Civil Service Commissioner. and among
other questions was asked If he had on the occa-
sion OF a visit of Theodore Roosevelt to the Carlisle
institution said that OF his chief objections 10
The application Of the Civil Service system TO the
Indian service was that II might fost Roman Cath
Ollie teachers upon the schools.
In reply Captain Pratt said that he had ex-
rressed The opinion TO Mr.. Roosevelt that the
system would lead 10 putting some one faction
I'm control who could select just such persons as
they cared to select. He might have used the
Vi proctor also asked Captain Pratt II II was
,r,Io that Secretary Francis had reprimanded him
FOR his course in connection with the CIVIL Ser
vice. . . - ~. oro o,d raad
,ho secretary's letter. as well as his own reply.
liz said that the reprimand was given without IN
,,es,igat ton and therefore was unwarranted. he
,eo '.sserted that the reprimand was instigated
Tt, oficiaIs i'm the Indian Office inimical 10 him.
and that il was an effort to suppress free speech;
Mr. Jones First Assistant Postmaster-denerai
under the late Administration. denied some OF the
Statements at the last sitting or the committee by
" " HIIl lately employed in that hranch or the
service He said he had not told Hill that II was
unprateful on his part 10 make charges against
bis srperlors but admitted that he hod as
charoed him from office and threatened 10 throw
him out OF the window-the FIRST because ne was
engaged in n conspiracy. and the second because
he vas personally incensed AT him $3.50.
chairman Pritchard presented taDulateu state-
rnent from Public Printer Palmer. giving the po-
,s,ons of the Printing Office on Aprll l. n ne
statement showed that of the entire force or 2b.S
| persons 5l2 were Republicans ana -'4oo De''o'