New-York tribune., 1897-07-29
will have an accounting to render before an
other public than that which plays with deina-
gogic catchwOrds.
THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE RULES.

President Mckinley has again disappointed
his enemies and compelled them to praise MN.
He has made the long-expecied changes in the
Civil Service rules and made them az his
friends were perfectly confident he would do,
in the direction of extending and perfecting the
reform When It was first understood that he
/ would make important mcdhcations lhe IT'D
unc expressed It's confidence that he would not
do It 10 make places" and that whatever he
dld-evcn If he made extensive exemptions as
some of his subOrdnates thought lkely-he
would do solely because he was convinced that
such action would benefit the service. While
those who wished TO believe evil of him have
been lenouncing his surrender to spoilsmen he
has with customary deliberaton been invest-
eating the workings of The rules. come to the
conclusion that changes which were considered
possible are not needed, and taken action III an
entirely new direction which calls forth the en-
thuslastic praise of all civil Service Reformers.
The new rules incorporate into our system
the most distinct advance made in the service
since the establishment of the Civil Service Com
mission Step by step the number OF classified
employees has been increased. but such improve
ment has been only one Of mathematical extern
sion. Now a 1ew principle is introduced. II is
ont cause Hitherto men We're put into the elias
sifed service according 10 fitness. but there was
no check on wholesale dismssas for political
purposes. Now 1t is provided that no removals
may be made without the Iiling of written
statement Of the deficiencies OF the person dis
missed. to which he must have opportunity to
make answer. The decision is rightly left to
the chief and to him alone: but since he can
-snfin hiS
reasons and allowing a defence, he is not likely
TO make unjusifabe removals. Another modl-
fcaiOn in the rules extends the classification 10
cover sxty-fve customs offices not Included IN
the last order OF President Cleveland, thus bring
ing the entire customs administration into the
classified service. A few exemptions in the IN
ternal Revenue and Customs departments are
made, so that each collector may have one per
sonal selection 10 act with him as cashier or
as confidential assistant. but this apponee must
pass an examination to be prescribed by the
Secretary Of the Treasury. So, while the col
lectOr is allowed TO have a confidential man
OF his own choice by him, that man must prove
his fitness to the Treasury Department.
These new rules are a pointed rebuke TO the
spoilsmen both in and out of Congress VINO
have been demanding general turning OUT
Notice is served on them that the Admnistra-
tlon has no wish or intention TO depart from the
pledges of the Republican platform. the tradi-
tional policy Of Republican Presidents and the
personal declarations Of President Mckinley.
Whatever changes may be made hereafter. they
need not hope that their wishes will he consid-
cred. Perhaps It is too much TO expect that
those who seek 10 defame the President Will
also learn a lesson from the incident. and con-
sent 10 trust him 10 make appointments, TO con-
slider policies perhaps even TO contemplate
actions which they believe unwise without as
suming that he is wretch seeking TO wreck
the country by taking the wrong side on every
proposition he examines.