New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-04


Is DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PuR-
PosE-rAMMANY IN THE SCHEME TOO.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO the TnrBvHEl
Albany. Feb 3-The Constitutions command
that the examinations for places In the civil
service shall he competitive is bothoring the men
who wish to evade II. A plan OF getting
around 1t was disclosed to-day. IN which leading
politicians Of both parties are apparently 10 be
engaged. The statement was made that Con-
gresham Benjamin y. Odel jr.. chairman OF
the Executive Committee OF the Republican
State Committee. who. In the absence Of Senator
elect Plat is in charge Of the Republican ma
chine. had advised that a general bill be framed
"to beat the Constitution" and that there
fore Assemblyman Reinhard's bill giving Dis
trict-Attorney Olcott authority to name his own
ovi-servce examiners should be laid aside.
Whatever Mr.. Odei's advice may have been the
Reinhard bill was laid aside under the pretext
that there was mistake in il. and il was not
pressed Abe Gruber is said TO he greatly
gr!eved the fate Of his masterpiece and TO
hope that It may yet be taken up and passed
Lawyers who are well acquainted with the Con-
stitu;ion say that the bill is plainly unconsitu-
tioua,.
Mr.. Ode 1t is said had talk with Senator
Of competition around stump. and re-
suit the Senate judiciary Committee to-day APP
pointed a subcommittee. consisting OF Senators
Lexow, Kruln and Cantor 10 draw ND bill to
defeat the purpose Of the Constitution and throw
open the doors OF every state and city DEPART
ment to the spOsmen. The fact that Senator
Cantor is TO serve this committee is suff-
cent indication that Richard Croker intends
TO give his aid to the attack on the Constitution
The Assembly judiciary Committee is also 10
name three members Of the proposed conference
to bring about n revision Of the Civil Service
laws.
An attempt Will be made to commit Governor
Black 10 the bill to be drawn UP by those en-
gagged in the conspiracy. Mr. Black in his annual
message said that the civil service regulations
would work better II they had less starch Ia
them. and this expression Of his as interpreted
ny the Spoilsmen. means that he fayors relaXa-
ton OF the present rules regarding Clfl service
examinations. Possibly Nr. Back will be more
conservative after he has obtained the views OF
the heads Of State departments respecting the
workings Of the Civil Service laws. he Is SAID
to have solicited such opinions within a few
days. Mr.. Black II Is said. Will have confer
ence with the leading Republican State officials
next week. He will consult Mr.. Palmer Secre-
tary OF State controller Roberts. Attorney-Gen-
eral Hancock State Treasurer COlvin. State En-
glneer Adams George w. Aldridge, Superntend-
ent of Public Works and Frederick -. kiburn.
Superintendent of the Banking Department. and
obtain from them their ideas respecting the
merits and demerits OF the present Civil Service
examinations. 1t is probable also that the Cow
ernOr will hold consultations with the Leading
Republican members OF the Legislature on the
same subject. Edward Lauterbach the chair
man of the Republican General Committee OF
New-YOrk. and Congressman Odell, it is re-
ported. Will be here next week 10 push the bin
to abolish competition for Civil Service places.
one reason why 1t has proved 50 difficult 70
frame bill which would cripple the competitive
system is that the courts have resolutely up
held the Constitution. The recent decision Ct
Justice Keogh Of the Supreme Court has been
especially bar to drafting a bill Of this charac-
ter but the hope is now expressed that the APP
pelate Division will overrue Justice Keoghs de-
csiOn