The times., 1897-05-09
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Changes in the Law Suggested
by Bureau Chiefs.
HEARING BY THE COMMITTEE
Breezy Remarks of Mr.. Hill, Form
erIy of the Postoffice- Some Very
Positive Views as to What Of
ficers Should Not Be in the Classi-
fled List.

The members of the Senate Committee
on Civil Service, now engaged in the in
vestiga,ion of the working of the civil
service reform laws, were greatly edited
yesterday by the testimony of William w.
Hill, formerly of the Postofficc Depart
ment, who stated that he had no ak 10
grind and did not seek reinstatement.
Still, Mr. Hill had a grievance, and made
such statements to the committee that
led them TO believe that if he can sub
stantiate them they will be able 10 strike
pay dirt.
Mr.. HIS testimony related to the work
of the spies" engaged during the last
State campaigns in spotting letter car
riers, in an effort 10 check the business Of
putting in what is known as overtime. Mr.
Hill seemed to have his case well in hand
and dealt with facts and figures as If he
knew about W bat he was talking. Hemade
some statements that by inf erence, atleast
incIiminate postofffce officials il they are
true, but ran afoul Of few snags when
he took the Civil Service Reform Commits
ion to task, and was met by counter state
ments b. President Proctor, Of that CON-
mission, who punctured some OF the as
ertions that had been made. Mr. Hill was
nclined to witticism, AMI told his story in
good shape. other witnesses viii be called,
md if his assertions are ba cked up it is
,ot improbable that the committee will af-
ord the read ders of The Times some inter
sting matter.
The Senate COMMITTEES resumed its
Investigations of the civil service reform
law yesterday morning, with Senator Lodge
absent Mr. Proctor, OF the commission,
was present again. The hearing began
with the reading of a number of letters
rom bureau chiefs, among them the follow
ing:
Thomas p. Smith, acting Commissioner
Of the Land Office, says:
~ would recommend that section IS
Of rule lie modified so as TO abrogate
that part limiting the time during which
vacancy may be filled of a temporary
emergency appointee to ninety days, or
that some provision be made for exempt
ing the Indian service from such llnita-
hons Experience has shown that there
are certain positions in the Indian ser
vice which the Civil Service Commission,
although requested to do SO, have been
still unprepared at the expiration of three
In such cases, to surnmarly discharge such
temporary employees, as the rule requires,
would work great in ~"
Secretary Bliss reports that, in his opinion,
The Commissioners of the Interior Depart
ment including the Land office, Indian
Affairs, Pensions, and Patents, should each
have the right to appoint private secre-
ary or confidential clerk The chief clerk
IA
his opinion, he exempt from the classified
service. These officers occupy confidential
relations to the Secretary, and on their
merits or recommendations heis dependent,
10 a large extent, for the proper conduct of
his office. Mr.. Bliss is also of the opinion
that the special agents, such as land and
timber inspectors, mineral land commis-
sioners, and particularly the special Indian
agents, or the appointment of such, should
be more directly under the control of the
Secretary, who is responsible for their ac-
tiens, and who must depend upon them very
largely for his knowledge of affairs in
distant regions. The grave responsibility
resting apon the Secretary of the Interior
Tor actions taken upon recommendations
Of such officers makes it necessary, in
MT Bliss opinion, that he should have a
controlling voice In their appointment
Biuger Hermann, Commissioner of the
General Land office, says the civil SER
vice rules have been promulgated in his
bureau 10 the fullest extent. Deputy COL
iectors of internal revenue and deputy
United States marshals should not be in
Guided in the classified service, from his
point OF view. Mr.. Hermann thinks that
ali chiefs, confidential clerks, inspectors,
special agents, etc., should not be under
the merit system. Chiefs of divisions
should be especially exempt, because their
relations to the heads OF departments are
confidential, and because they constitute
the last line OF demarkation between the