New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-21
BLACKS ANTI-STARCH BILL.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST IT BEFORE An
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.

A HEARING THAT LOOKS LINE -
FORMERS APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR
ALBANY. April 20 (speciaD.-Governor BLACK
Civil Service Reform Annihiiatlon OIL, w. W.,
was so thoroughly picked to pieces oS 'Ae Wv"
c-,.,oa 80 sorrocrs who last week appeared In OPP
position to il before the senate JuolC'aiS Ooii
Ynittee was subjected 10 another Tremendous al
tack to-day when the bill was cohsiue'eu d.
heor,ns before the Assembly Judiciary Com
nlittee ~
a committee of the present Legislature us IN
enence is as naught for al this stage of the ses-
sior the Committee on Rules has absorbed the
nowers Of all committees and no measure can
- ,,aoad On the calendar of the Assembly with
-, The sanction Of the Committee on Rules.
NOD the hearing to-day been given in good
-.t,b in order TO get more light on Governor
plack's hill il should have been given by the
pules Committee. The present programme is
tor that committee TO report the bill favorably
az Z. was amended in the Senate last night
Among those who appeared in opposition TO
Che bill were Ansley Wilcox. Of Buffalo; j. War
ron Greene. OF the Brooklyn Civil Service League;
Henry Streifer. OF Buffalo. representing labor
organizations OF his city; George McAneny, of
New-York. representing the New-York Civil
Service Reform Association; Elbridge +. Adams,
Of Rochester, Dr LuCleN howe anu LIZ Z w.
pevrna. representing the Academy of Medicine
OF Buffalo.
Mr. Wilcox was the first speaker. He said that
the bill would revoutionize the entire Civil Ser
vice system Of the state. to the detriment of the
Civil Service reform. The bill attempted TO
make distinction between merit and htness-a
distinction impossible TO create The words,
said he are as nearly synonymous, If the die
tionaries are 10 be believed. as any two words
can be- Civil Service experts have never yet
been able 10 distinguish between merit and fit
ness. and yet the Trainer of this bill would create
& distinction between these two synonymous quail
lies" He asked the committee TO explain the
distinction but no one volunteered TO do so.
+ Warren Greene Of Brooklyn. said that the
onposition TO the bill was not local in any COM
snunitv but extended throughout the State
s'The bill" he continued, is full or the posi-
tilities OF mischief. and cannot possibly work
any good to any portion OF the state ms ms
6ili does not create a new Civil Service system
IN the place OF the one il seeks 10 break down.
hui rather creates an entire lack OF system
There are three salient features OF the Dill whlch
are worthy Of special mention. The nrst is that
g distinction is attempted TO be made between
merit and fitness The second is that the ehure
power is given to the appointing offcer' VINO, Oy
Virtue Of the examination ne snail nold' may
rullifv the first examination by the civil service
commission. The third is that the Dill is I'm,
practical in all its particulars ne CohteH I,!s
49, m substitute for the present excellent CIVIL
Sar,,;ce system this untred impractical scheme
would work an injustice on the -o'Vo Peopie
nov on the eligible lists.
tIsnrv S1reifer, Of Buffalo was the next
.nAaker Then George NcAneny. Of NeW-1ork'
appealed to the committee nov 10 Tr Citv and
grading system in force in NeW.1 ORR CI'y aii9
r. orher cities Of the State. This BILL salu
r makes Il possible for man 10 Duy plaCe
should the head Of any department happen 10
he 4 corrupt man" o,,., Co.
r,isridre l. Adams OF Rochester. Ciyil ser ser
vice examiner in that CITY, salo' -. c-it,i SER
Is an honest attempt TO improve omg ba made
vice OF the State no objection snouId De lie 80
20 some amendments which VIII improve w
oivn Service by improving this bill me ,bai The
rent most necessary 10 my IN, H. g . denar+-
Axa-1instion conducted by the head OF depart,
,nsrt should be made matter OF Iecoiu.
80, such an amendment 70 the committee
5U ~. 90 roinstiosl is not made matter OF
record II is clear that the head OF oepai NA'i-'
nav make IL farce 49,. C-,,.,, cer,-,ce
,He .ss6cfation' presented the following pc
tition 10 Governor Black to-day;
The undersigned are informed that Senate PHI
No s the purpose ,Sa q T,y % Service system Of this
State may be passed by noth ho ISC boura Of The
lature IN me erv much TO be regretted that this
bn has introduced ana Is 20 o sor its object
VIII sutb Sbsracter OF the state vitality that
4 should not be d5P9s6Sa G The Undersigned
gror5 therefore in case the Dill IN quSs!iOi1
The Lsgslaa Ts c y the state government ard
e1sStfillv ask Your Excelency 10 grant us, IN ne
,irg fo YOU at public hearing such reasons , az
~ NAV command why this bill shou!d not receive
your approval , r
Carl Schurz. UIIliI.' -, ~
Alexander z. orr, TA,T7i'-, - Tow
20 ~" C.-.o- Alfred r White
Tllhu Root, 80 SfnIe-
J 7seph Larocque, Jacvp
C~harles Z. Bearan 49, u s.or,s
Ah-su : Hewitt, - toL-eS,av
30 re- r,-t-a,or Gustav II Schwah.
tFrITi 10'' Richard Watson Glider,
y. > ir,. Warren Greene
William I. Dodge. gis ~ Wa.son
'ahc.s - r Fulton Cutting
1t~h-N - Nis1tt.-o, George McAnery
Tlvard N Shepard. - p" ~ " ! pa,sford
Darwin = James. - -, " 1C,Is
John y Wsshuurr. ra.t.d,
Cta~les : Fairch.d. rfD.6- 'N' $3.50