The news & observer., 1897-03-11
PRITcHARD is FOR &c YD
WANTS FIRST ASSISTANT POST
MASTER GENERAL FOR HIM.
The Merit System Mil Be Strictly ad-
hered TO by the Present
Administration.
Especial to Baltimore SUM-

Washington, March 9--Since the last
Presidential election the number of appli-
cations for examination blanks has large
~ increased. In the first two months
OF 1887 10000 more blanks have been
sent out than in the hast six months
OF 1896 1t is estimated that by the
end of the first six months of thds year
the number will have been doubled.
Instances have been discovered in some
cases where applicants for examination
under the Civil Service laws have been
improperly advised in advance of the
character OF the question. Such cases
have not, however. been numerous, and
no instance has occurred very recently.
The Information was generally, If not
always, obtained through some clerk or
employe of the Civil Service Commits
sion Detection is almost inevitable and
is followed by prompt dismissal
1t has been also understood that cases
have occurred where the local board Of
examiners were influenced, friendly or un-
friendly, in regard TO applicants through
personal or political reasons. To pre-
vent this the papers are now all sent
to Washington and the ratings made here
10y examiners who have no knowledge of
the applicants enc way or the other.
Many of those who apply for sets Of
application papers seem to possess the
idea eaat there is some method of Sc
curing exceptional advantages. such
above alluded to. But the precautions
now exercised will. it is believed, act as
an eifectual barrier to any but an honest
examination and an honest ascertainment
of the result.
The great increase in the number OF
II. N,,3l
Service Commission indicates a somewhat
mistaken impression as to the actual
condition of affairs. There is already
quite a considerable waiting list on
the records Of the Civil Service Commits
sion, and il there is no change in the
present regulations, there are enough
''availables' on hand to last for all the
ordinary exigencies for some time to
come.
There has been no authorized formal
announcement of the policy to be pur-
sued by the Mckinley administration in
the matter of appointments to and re
movals from office Nevertheless, the
informal utterances of the President and
of several members of the cabinet may
be justly accepted as a guarantee that
the policy in this respect which charac-
terized the administration of Mr.. Cleve-
land will not in any sensible degree be
departed from.
Posted in conspicuous places in the
State Department are placards announc-
ing that but nine positions in that depart
ment are outside of civil service rules.
As almost the entire department service
is in the classified list the preliminary
for reaching places is under the civil
service examinations, and consequently
the host Of applicants for examination
papers is doing right in taking time by
the forelock. But they must remember
that flew die and none resign" and pre-
pafe to possess their souls in patience.
Senator Pritchard, of North Carolina
called with several of his constituents to
urge that Mr.. James K. Boyd, who was
a candidate for a position in the cabinet.
be made First Assistant Postmaster
General Senator Pritchard was accom-
panied by J. c. Dancy, a noted colored
orator in North Carolina, and by George
III. White, colored member of the Leg
islature, both of whom are willing to ac-
cept offices if there are any to spare.
These two colored men were the only
members of their race who saw the Presi-
dent until very late in the afternoon, for
although there were a number of them
waiting, their white brothers seemed to
have the call upon the Presidents time.