New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-15
A REPUBLICAN, POLICY.

Tie determination of the POstofice Depart
ment TO select the first set of letter-carrers ih
new free.delivery offices, instead or lh'rus'hs
that dirty TO postmasters, thereby avoiding the
possibility Of political and personal favoritlsm'
may he regarded as notice. if such were needed'
that The merit system will not be modined III
favor of spoilsmen. Any changes In the CNl
Service rules which the President may con-
c,ule TO make will evidently be based OH MS
conviction that they will promote administrative
efficiency and not at all on a desire 10 supply
the uuadrennial demand for places. 1hls VIII
doubtless be great disappointment 10 Spots
men They have been telling how on Novem'
nor , Mr.. Cleveland extended the casshcatoh
10 protect his appontees and declaring tha'
Democrats stuffed into the service by FAVOR
should make way for them. If there IS an!
truth in the charge Of improper appointments IL
Is reasonable to suppose that the wrongs VIII
be rghed not by clearing the way Tor announcer
lncurslon but by applying just rules 10 'he IT,
placing of any officers found subject 10 re-
proach RectifcatiOn On such lines may pos
sil,,y be needed on large scale. experience
may even show hat some classincatlOns nave
been too sweeping. but no revs.ons that con-
WINGED Civil Service refOrmer Ike secretary
Gage NAV propose will give comfort to the
professional placeseekers.
Their attack Is on the merit system In gen.
eral. and their demands. though taking the form
OF complaint against Democrats and prayers TO
a Republican Administration. are IN reality
nppeas for reversal Of consistent RepuD-
ican policy Competitive examinations were
first introduced in tile Federal service by Pres!-
dent Grant In 1873. but failure OF appropra-
-tions prevented their continuance. PRESIDENT
HAYES revived the system, and Presidents Gar
field and Arthur continued and extended 1t. IN
der Mr. Arthur the Civil Service Commission
was established. and he left 1900 persons in
the classified service. Mr.. Cleveland In his first
term added 1900 to this number MIR. Har-
rlson extended the classification 10 over 10000
more and in his second term Mr.. Cleveland
classified about 1000 before his final extension
of the rules TO 10000 new places. leaving only
about 500 unclassifed officers. other than mere
laborers and Presidential appointments requir-
Ing Senate confirmation. That final extension
was neither midnight order nor was II taken
on the eve Of election. II was made on May g,
1896 and met with the general commentator
OF the press Of both parties, including The Trib-
me which then said. IF all the offices In the
Country except those the occupants OF which
shave TO do with fixing policies were taken
a..from the domain Of politics both parties would
..be stronger. would more perfectly fulfil the
purpose of their existence. and give the coun-
TRY better government"
OF the exact condition Of the departments now
Il Is impossible for an outsider to Judge. The
enemies OF the Administration will declare that
all is perfection, and that the change OF single
rule Will be treason to reform The pacehunt-
ers will say that the service Is full Of corruption
and fayoritism, and that the only thing to do ID
10 turn the rascals out. The truth rests with