The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-04
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER. 4. 1897


Mr. Gage the Secretary OF INC
urv Is a sincere civil service ieioi nv -.
and IL may be assumed that ne 10 -
sympathy with President MchinieS
nal revenue service OF the cover IiiI ,'I
90 under tho control of the Treasury DC
,,ar,roent and. therefore, Secretary cage
bas an official interest, as well as ON
ciaI responsibility, in the manner IN Whlch
tho civil service law is enforced III TINS
branch OF his department. A dispatch
from Richmond. Va. to the sun states
that the new Internal Revenue Collector
in that district has discharged all OF the
employees Of the office, with three excep-
tions. although most Of them were pro-
toc,od nv President Clevelands order
IN the last year of his administrator
ana not excluded from the cas-
eJ6cd service by President Mcl\lh-
ley's modification of his preue-
cessor's order. The Virginia collector IL
seems. has not made the removals Tor
cause" but justifes his action on the
ground that the term of all deputies tx
nlred with the term of the retiring COZ
Iector. by whom they were appoih'c"
Secretary Gage is too clear-heaued 10 oo
misled by such n plea as this. FOR II the
principle were recognized as sound there
wouId be an immediate return to the
snolls system Every employe In the IN
ternal revenue Office in Richmond hot
specifically exempted from the classihed
service by President Mckinley was enti-
tied to retain his position until removed
for cause" II the Treasury Department
accepts the Virginia collectors interpre-
tation OF the civil service law as the
correct construction. then principe LOT
which the advocates Of the merit system
have contended has been lost and the
,,-fn No used the reward
for party service. President McKinley's
order was clear and explicit. and left
nothing 10 be read between the lines. II
Secretary Gage enforces that order the
Virginia collector will be compelled 10
continue I'm their positions all those en-
ployes whose work has been well and
faithfully done. If he is satisfied withU
the collectors Interpretation. then the
spoils hunters may congratulate them
selves upon the substantial victory they
have won. The civil service law should
be enforced according to its letter and
spirit. II any evasion IS sanctioned II will
not he long before the whole merit sys-
TEN will he undermined by such bubbles
as that which the Virginia collector re-
sorts 10 I'm Justification OF his return TO
the dlshonored and repudiatcd spoils sys-
ton.-Baltmore Sun.
This seems 10 MS 10 be an exact state
ment OF the facts. Here IS an opportunity
10 make the test. and the authorities at
Washington should be made TO toe the
mark and 20 say without bubble whether
or not TIE civil service law is farceA
We believe that a large majority Of the
voters OF this country who have the true
interests OF the country at heart. and
who believe in the best government. are
in favor Of the clvi service law, and II
It be fairly and impartially enforced by
both parties, the complaints. except from
a few spoiismen. will gradually disappear
But IN Democratic administration is 10
enforce the law where Republican en-
ployes are concerned. and a Republican
administration IS 20 disregard the law
where Democratic employees are concern
ed. then the whole system will necessarily
rnn into disrepute.
The object Of the civil service law IS
fold. to get rid Of the abuses of the
spoils system. and 10 improve the eff
cheney Of the civil service. II is substi-
tuition OF the merit system for the spoils
system. and under II merit and not politics
Is the test.
Under fair Interpretation OF the rule
iaiG down by President Cleveland. the
employees OF the internal revenue office
In this district are fairly entitled to re-
tain their positions, unless there is cause
other than their political views for their
dismissal But we are concerned not so
much for the employees In interest. but
for the morale Of the system. There is a
question OF justice also involved. II
these employees have faithfully discharged
their duties. as we have every reason
20 believe they have. and have measured
fully up to the requirements OF the sew
eral positions which they have filled. then
in common justice they should not be
summarily dismissed. that their places
may be filled by men OF different party
afilation. We want TO see vigorous
fight made i'm their behalf. and In the
interest OF good government and justice.
we trust that their fight will be success
full
---------------------------