The times., 1897-04-25

The subcommittee of the Senate COM
nittee which will take the evidence on
which the full committee will report TO
Congress on the administration Of the civil
service law, met yesterday morning, when
it held its first session. The committee
taking testimony, oral and documentary,
is composed of Senators Pritchard, Elkins,
and Chiffon.
From the line Of testimony adduced yes
terday. only few witnesses being ex-
amined, ii is TO be inferred that the present
object of the committee is to show viola
tions of the civil service rules by the
Cleveland administration, which involves
the charge OF discrimination against Union
soldiers, such soldiers widows, and clerks
who were offensive partisans" in the
silver campaign.
Another interesting development Of the
session was that two of the Cabinet eX-
pressed their views on the rules specifically
and made some suggestions Whereby their
patronage might be increased.
There is an opinion, as it was at the time
of the suggestion of this Senatorial COM
mission or inquiry, that its finding would
undoubtedly be used to justify Congress
in reaching Democrats who are now pro-
tected by the civil service. 1t was not
stated, however, that this was the essential
purpose OF the inquiry.
One OF tile most Interesting statements
made before the committee was by Mr..
william L. Ryan, whose charge against
the recent administration has already been
noted ia the newspapers, but who has now
had tine privilege OF having it made
matter OF official record. In answer TO
q question 10y the chairman OF the COM
mittee, Mr. Ryan said that he believed
his dismissal from office was on account
OF his politics. He was a candidate for
Congress in November, from the Thirty
first New York district. Mr.. Ryan had
held his office for twelve years, up 10
tue time OF the election He said that the
understanding was that he should be per-
mtted to make his canvass on leave of
abseIce, without pay, but, on the day
after the election, he found his dismissal
on his desk. lie charges that, notwith-
standing the understanding above noted.
that he was to conduct his canvass on leave
without pay, he was dismissed on the
Mr. Ryan was reinstated at lower salary,
through the Civil Service Commission, but
eventually lost his place. His testimony
showed that the department desired 10
know from him IL he had attacked Mr..
Cleveland, and his reply that he had
attacked only Mr.. Cleveland's financial
policy The campaigning OF clerks he did
not think TO be such an uncommon Of
rense, and he had even read in the news
napers that the president OF the Civil
Service Commission himself took part In
the campaign in Kentucky.
Mr.. Blasland, of the registers office,
testified tc his dismissal to make room
for the son Of the Register OF the Treas
ury.
Mr Kline, OF the Pension Office, made
a statement as to the grounds on which
he was dismissed, describing them as per
sonal He has Instituted sui for the salary
claimed to be due.
Under the head OF suggestions, Mr.. W.
C. Connor, of the Government Printing
Office, said that the operation OF the law
could be improved by making practical
knowledge primary test AS fragrant
abuse he instanoed the raising Of the pay
Of certain lass of employees. In order. By