New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
INVESTIGATING THE CIVIL SERVlCE.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE BEGINS IT'S WORK
SECRETARY WILSON A WITNESS.
washington, April 24.-The Senate Committee on
civil Service OF which Senator Prtchard. OF North
Carolina 70 chairman. began its investigation Of
the Civil Service to-day under the resolution re-
Gently adopted by the Senate. William Blashland,
a veteran Union soldier. testified to having been
dismissed from the office Of the United States
Treasurer which he said done in order to
make a place for the Of Register Tillman. a
boy seventeen years old, who had not, he asserted,
been required TO pass a Civil Service examination
He said there other appointments under
Register Tillman where examination had not
been required. lie also supplied list of recent
reductions and dismlssas from the Treasurers Of
fee many OF those affected being ex-soldiers and
soldiers widows.
Secretary Wilson was also before the committed
lie expressed the opinion. that chiefs OK division in
the departments and others charged with execu-
tive responsibility should not bs included In the
classified service as provided in Mr. Cleveand's
order Secretary Wilson also expressed the opinion
that the heads OF tho executive departments should
have some latitude in the selection OF men for re-
sponsible places and that the test OF fitness should
be experience and judgment. rather than merely
educational He said his experience with the civil
Service Commission had not been satisfactory that
when he had asked for a man to do editorial work
they had sent him young man, twenty-five years
Old and that lie had little better luck IN getting a
hOrilcultuflSt
William &. Conner. a bookbinder In the Govern
mont Printing Office, said that educational
qualification vas REQUIRED In many cn h GI WORK
pointed under the rules Of the CLASSIFIED service
had 10 be taught to do the work required after
they were appointed Mr.. Common said that IN sew
cral Instances just previous 10 the recent change
in administration tho wages OF several peEf9ns
who were receiving s. day had been mere aacd 20
the extent OF a cent an hour IN order to hold 'hem
in TIA" service under tho classification
William r.. Ryan, formerly clerk IN Inc lr"lS-
urv Department. who made the race Tor Congress
I'm the XXXlst District OF Ncw-York last fail on
inc Democratic ticket and who Is contesting the
The circumstances of his dismissal He said that he
had been absent without pay. though not without
leave during the campaign. while he understood
thai many other Government officials, such the
even thc chairman OF the civil Service Co.amis-
sion were absent on pay Mr. Ryan said that
when he returned TO his desk I'm November he
found his dismissal awaiting him. but that he WAS
March This latter dismissal. Mr. Ryan said
duc 10 the tact that IL would not consent 10 Dc
lt from rus contest for the seat IN Congress- He
e.i1 tb1t LOGAN Carlisle son Of the Secretary and
no urosecItion Of the contest would avail him
,ntIin,. Nr RYAN said he had doubt that his
GisrIi.sal WIS TOR purr Fly political rcasons-'bc-
rat,se nv Views differed from ihOSe q. Mr.. Car
-, letter Mas received from Secretary Gage in
witch he stated his general commentator Of the
ci,tu srryicc a,etem. He thought. however. there
shorli be exceptions. and he nstanced deputy
revenue collectors. who. ne said. should be APP
u,iufrd by tie revenue collectors 10 whom they
"a re personally responsible.
senator Trtchard announced his purpose 20 ask
.hc n. ads Of all departments 10 appear before the
oirgh The committee adjourned until Saturday