Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-26
OPPOSED TO CIVIL SERVICE
League Formed for the Repeal or Modif-
cation of the Law.
Movement to Secure Cooperation In
the Stntes-Installntion of Om.ers
Mt the Next Meeting.

ly organized National Republican Anti-Civi
Service League was held last evening n
Emrich's Hotel, when the election of of.
ficers was held and not a little routine
business transacted, Mr.. A. NJ. Clapp being
unanimously elected president. An adjourn.
ment was taken until next Monday even
Ing, when 1t is expected that the newly
elected officers will be formally installed.
The meeting was presided over by Tenn.
porary President John H. Fredericks OF
Pennsylvania, Mr.. W. D. Lester of Ten
nessee acting as secretary. The reading OF
the minutes developed the fact that the
league was organized four weeks ago, its
purpose being to secure the repeal or modi-
fcation of the civil service laws, all re.
publicans in good standing being eligible
to membership. Before the meeting got
down to business n member called attention
to the presence of reporters. and suggested
that as the meeting was for members only
the newspaper men be invited 10 retire
ana the secretary directed to give them
data of the meetiE gafterward. The pre-
siding officer remarked that the reporters
had been duly invited to be present where
upon the objecting member subsidized.
The Officers Chosen.
The first business done was the election
of officers, and the following were recon-
mended by committee appointed at pre-
vious meeting: A. NJ. Clapp of New York,
president; ex-Representative H. NJ. Baker
of New Hampshire, first vice president
Representative c. P. Dorr of West Virginia
second vice president; w. d. Lester of Ten
nessee. secretary: w. P. Scott of West Vfr-
ginia. treasurer, and ]. NJ. Coombs of Min
nesota, Sergeant-at-arms Mr.. Scott with
drew In favor of Mr.. c. NJ. Ellis of Maine,
elected, Messrs. Geo. F. Page, l. NJ Blood
and Secretary Lester being appointed a
committee to notify them of their election.
Under a suspension of the rules the fol-
lowing were elected to membership: Geo.
NJ. Raub of Maryland, Herbert c. Gailatin
of Iowa. j. J. Verser of New York. J. A.
Harold of Pennsylvania and John H. Fred
ericks of Pennsylvania
Quite discussion followed as to the date
to which tie meeting should adjourn a
motion having been made that it be TO
next Monday evening at the same place.
Mr.. Blood thought there could not be too
many meetings, and told of conversn G
with a good republican, recently returned
from Indiana, who said that there is great
opposition to the civil service law out
there, the HOosiers desiring the repeal of
the law, SO the man said. The motion was
finally carried.
Appeal for Money.
Mr.. Savior of Philadelphia suggested that
in view OF the need of the league for money
circulars be sent into the departments ask
ing for financial assistance. Mr.. Scott
thought that would be inadvisable and I'M
wise. and he and others opposed the sug-
gestion, which caused Mr.. Saylor to ask
Mr.. Scott in what department he is en-
ployed.
THE Capitol answered Mr.. Scott.
Were you put there by the civil serv-
ice?"
NO said Mr.. Scott. II obtained my
position by virtue of being a republican"
hv Ia nhianf n a a.
tion?"
A point of order prevented reply by Mr..
Scott. and the matter was dropped.
The secretary stated that man in the
government printing Office had handed him
81 for the league, explaining that many
of his associates in the Office heartily
favored the purpose for which the associa-
ton had been organized, and really de-
sired to contribute The contribution was
in the shape of a conscience fund, it was
further explained, when the chairman re-
marked that all employees there have a
conscience, except those appointed by Mr..
Benedict.
A motion to make fifteen members a
quorum instead of twenty five, made by
Mr.. McMasters of Ohio. was laid over
under the rules, until the next meeting.
the appointment OF permanent
committee on state organizations, to be
composed of a member from each state
and territory, whose duty 1t shall be to
correspond With prominent TepuDncanS IN
their respective states with the view of
securing their active cooperation in each
district. Under the rules the
motion went over until the next meeting.
Newspaper influence.
Mr.. Blood moved that the league request
the newspapers of the city to print the
constitution and bylaws of the league. 1t
would help the circulation of the papers,
thought Mr.. Blood, and he remarked that
it would help the purpose of the league
wonderfully, especially If The Star would
comply.
Secretary Lester opposed the motion re-
marking that the city newspapers have
treated the league with the greatest con-
sideration and kindness, 50 much so that
the members have no complaint whatever
to make. The representatives of the la
pers, he said, were intelligent men. know
iES what is and what is not news and they
will. on all occasions. ne was positive pub
fish all that they believe 20 be interesting.
The motion was withdrawn, as was one
after some discussion, offered by Mr.. Nc
Masters, directing the printing Of the con-
stitution and bylaws Of the league for
general distribution, II being explained thai
they will be printed In .iua time without
Stan 80