The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-07-13
MERIT SYSTEM BENEFITS
Continued from First Page

tienal typographical Union, condemn
ing the system, MIR. Oyster stated that ne
had been a delegate to the convention and
thai he believed the International Union
was not vselIinfOrmed OF the system
MIR Oyster made mountaineering state
ment relstive to the politics of the en-
ployes of his office, the specification
TOOL lie referred to testimony which had
heretofore been given, 10 the effect mat
there were I5S Democrats and 40 Re
puhlicans in his office BE believed that
this was not the fact. His personal
knowledge 81 tbs men was that there were
more Republicans among them than Demo-
Greats.
Mr. Andrew Day was the next witness.
He has been reappointed, but was dis
missed in 1884. He stated that be was
separated from the service because he
WAS Republican. His reasons for he
hrying this were strong. lie was trans
ferTed and reduced in the Treasury De
partment to a position in the sixth auditors
office, when Major Howard was made
a3ditor. lie had lost one arm in the war,
an5 in his new position, where manual
labor was required, was at a disad-
vantage. lie was only kept two or three
days and then discharged FOR incompetency
Go perform manual labor.
He was afterwards told that many In.,n
who had becn ia the office for years, and
Lad two arms, did not do as much as he
ID Major Howard was in the relel army
md he was in the Union, and be and sew
eraI other one-armed men we're thrown out
within a short time of Major Towards
appointment.
Mr. Frank !. Stewart, printer, not OF
the Government Printing office, and who
stated thai he is not al present employed,
made one Of the sensational statements Of
the Investigation. Its effect Was after
ward partially modified by questions put
20 him by Commissioner Proctor, but for
few moments there was a huShed interest
40 what be had to say. He chewed gum
during his whole testimony and seemed
70 initiate senator Pritchard.
A certain MI. George u. Skinner, he
said, obtained a position as laborer i'm
the Agricultural Department when Mr..
J. Sterling Morton became Secretary. He
was a nephew OF the Secretary. Shortly
sitter that be was promoted. This Mr..
Skin Ter, Mr.. Stewart ale ges, was an
alien, born in Canada, and not natural
lied. He committed perjury in regard o.
his birthplace in making his application
In order to make his record clear.
Mir. Stewart called the attention of the
Civil Service Con mission 10 this ola ZION
OF the law. Tie commission made an in
vestigation, aud notified Secretary Morton
thai Skinner must be discharged Never
thrleSs, Skinner was not discharged lie
continued in his position during all Of
Secretary Morton's term, bet was finany
separated from the service two Or three
weeks ago. Mr.. Doyle said to witness that
the commission could DO nothing with
Mr.. Morton.
II wish 10 cali attention to the fact -
said Stewart, that although this was one
of the most important Investigations
made by the commission, its report for shat
year has no mention Of it among the rec
ords of invest cations on the appendix. -
Commissioner PTocter-was the man Skin
ner continued in his position after the de
mand Of the commission that he be
drOpped?''
MT Stewart-He was.
COMMISSIONER Procter-The same posi-
ton?
Mr.. Stewart-Yes
Commissioner Procter-Is It not a fact
that Skinner vas dropped from the posi-
ton and afterwards reappointed 20 an
other not at that time under tie civil
service reform rules?
Mr.. Stewart-That is so; but he was
given the same work in his new position.
He was on a different payroll simply.
Commissioner Frocter-You know, do
you not. that the Civil Service Commits
sion is not allowed any jurisdiction what
ever over cases not included in the classi-
fled service?
Mr. Stewart Yes
Tie Investigation closed with Mr.. Stew
art IS testimony for theday. Senator Pritch-
ard announced that the next meeting win
take place on next Tue sday.