The National tribune., 1897-05-27
CHAT OF THE CORRIDORS,


Since his speech of Wednesday, Senator
Foraker has been deluged with letters and
kilograms from various parts of the country.
and especially Ohio, congratulating him upon
his effort. They come from every corner of the
State and speak in praise of his stand on the
Cuban question.
X
Frank A. Vsnderslip, of Chicago. who sue
ceeds Scott Wike as Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, has been serving rs Private Secretary
to the Secretary of the Treasury, and he was
Mr.. Cages first appontee on assuming his
office. He is 81 years of age, and finished his
education at the University of Illinois, where
he made a speciality of political economy and
finance. In 1888 he obtained employment as a
reporter on q Chicago paper, and soon there
after was made financial editor. In his new
Office he will be the financial adviser Of Secre-
tary Gage.
The round of the Departments is weary
round for the Congressman. It is made all the
more weary by the wall of Civil Service reform.
One of the most prominent of New York Re-
publicaus says that he does not really obtain
one per cent. of the appointments sought by
him. This average undoubtedly holds good,
except in extreme cases. But there is no end
to the tide of applicants. They pour into the
city with every train. their faces alisht with
fond anticipations. The trains bear back scores
of men with downcast features-the army of
the disappointed. But there are some bene-
fciares. One is the Union soldier, who was
sent to the rear months ago under various
guises and pretexts. He is again marching to
the front. and resuming his place in line =
moderate number of reinstatements as well rs
appointments are being made each week in
several of the Departments.
4
The fight against some of Mr. Cleveland's ex-
tensions of the Civil Service will soon be fairly
on. prominent Repub Iican said this week
that it would come after the changes have been
made in the Internal Revenue Collectorships
and the Customs Collectorships throughout the
country. All of that service is now under the
protection Of the Civil Service law. and in
times past it has cut an influential figure in
National campaigns. Particularly is this true
of the Internal Revenue service. In West Viz
ginia, Maryland and Kentucky Internal Rev.
enue offices are numerous, as they are also in
Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee where
the Republicans have strong organizations and
are hoping for party success next time. These
places all pay well, and are sought by men of
influence and good capacity. Mr.. Cleveland
threw the protection of the Civil Service law
over all the places but that of the Collector and
that of the Chief Clerk, and there the matter
stands. The Union veteran ought to come in
for some Of the positions now protected.
4
The appointment of Charles Lyman, a Union
veteran. as Chief of Division in the Treasury.
was one OF the most important made last week.
He took the place of man recently dismissed
for "inattention to duty" Having served in
the Union army, he was eligible to reinstste.
ment in the classified service under RuIe O n,
| the Civil Service rules. Secretary Gage made
requisition On the Civil Service Commission for
his appointment as Chief of the Stationery
Division, aud he took a Civil Service examina.
ton.
Whenever a new head of q bureau taxa
Office, he is beseged, not only with applications
for positions, but with letters full of recon.
mendations of those already under him, who
want to make sure that they will not lose their
places. Sometimes the anxious ones overstep
the bounds in their enthusiasm. One clerk was
reduced few days ago because of this undue
energy. She was really secure in her position.
Letters from Senators and Representatives
were pouring in on the official who was ber
superior officer, but finally certain Senators
called upon him and complained that the ady
IN question was making their lives burden
by constant request that they intercede in her
behalf and asked that stop be On, to that so,t
of proceedings. They were SO indignant tho,
the lady was promptly transferred to a m;no,
l position.
nENcIln nrrrpr