The times., 1897-03-12
WILD TALK ABOUT OFFICES
Untruthful Gossip About Civil
Service Going the Rounds.
FEW PLACES IN WASHINGTON
Rule Under Which General Aiger
and Other secretaries May Ap-
point Two Private Secretaries
Apiece Assistant Secretary Doe
Not Protected.

The disappointment of officeseekers on
account of the delay in making changes
under the new Administration is finding
expression in much absurd gossip. Some
of this is finding its way into print, es-
pecially away from Washington, where the
facts are not SO well known. For ex-
ample, it has been stated that there are
only 900 Federal employees in the United
States who are outside the jurisdiction
of the civil service law. AS matter OF
fact there are over 100, 900 places not sub
ject 10 the commissions rules. The true
number is nearly l20, 900. OF these it
Is true about $4,000 are fourth class post
offices, and the. pay is less than 81 900 1t
year; but there are about $500 pTesi-
dental postoffices alone, and these pay
from 81 100 up To something like s. 5000.
There are, i'll addition, several thousand
places in the diplomatic service beside
large numbers Of excepted places in the
customs, revenue and departmental ser
vice 1t is notable, however, that com
parativeiy few places in Washington are
still unclaSsified.
IL has been published as a peeuliarity
of the civil service regulations that Sec
Rotary Sherman is allowed to appoint
two private secretaries, while Secretary
Alger is not permitted to appoint even
one. This is, indeed, so peculiar that il
is not true. The rule upon this subject
is very easily understood. 1t is numbered
6 iii the latest revised civil service rules,
and reads as follows:
The ;ollowing-named employees or pu-
siiions which have been, or may here
after be, classified under the civil ser
vice act shall be excepted from the re
quiremrnts Of examination or registration:
Private secretaries or confidential clerks
mot exceeding twoj to the President OF
10 the head OF each of the eight cXect-
tive departments: Indians employed in the
Indian Service-at-large, except those EN-
ployed as superintendents, teachers, teach
ers OF industries, kindergartners and ply
sicians; attorneys or assistant attorneys
i'll any department, whose main duties
are connected with the management OF
cases in court; one cashier in each
customs district; one chief or prin-
cipal deputy or assistant collector in
each customs district whose employ IS
number as many as l 80: one assistant
postmaster or CHEF assistant Ia he post
master, OF whatever designation. at each
postoffcc; one cashier OF each first-Cldss
poStofficc when employed under the roster
tide Of cashier only. one employe in each
internal revenue district, who shall act as
cashier or chief deputy or assistant col
Icctor, as may be determined by the Treas
uTy Department.
With this plain statement OF facts seems
to fan the picturesque statement that Gen.
Alger : about to send to Detroit for con
fidcntial clerk, whom he will pay out OF
his own pocket, because he is not alo wed
to name a private secretary to be paid by
the government.
Assistant Secretary Doe is set down
as an officer who is protected by eX-
Senator Villas, with some not clearly de-
fined help from the civil service rules.
1t is correctly stated that he is not APP
pointed by the Secretary of War. This is
probably true. But assistant secretaries
were not appointed by the Secretaries
even before there was any Civil Service
Commission. They are all appointed by
the President. Mr.. Doe Will probably not
remain very long a figurehcad in his di
vision of the service, if indeed ne is so, as
stated, and he viii not be transferred to
some other branch of the service unless
he is on a list OF eligibics in the civil
service classes or has influence with the
Administration sufficient TO keep out some
prominent Republican.
The name of Major F. @. Brackett has
been mentioned for chief clerk OF the
Treasury. but he can not be appointed to
that place except after a competitive eX-
animation unless the rules are in some
way set aside. The resignation or dis
missal of Mr.. Logan Carlisle would not
help Major Bracket, as the place must
he filled by promotion, or from the com
missions register of eligible clerks.
The position of chief of the Bureau OF
Printing and Engraving is also under the
rules, unless something unusual can he
found by which it can be excepted The
place pays the highest salary of any in the
classified service. The appointment is
made hy the Secretary of the Treasury
Mr.. Claude johnson, OF Lexington, Ky,
has held the office nearly four years If
he S displaced his successor VIII probably
be filled by promotion.