The times., 1897-05-23

union stay in the Government Printing
Officer" asked Mr.. Ekins.
THAT has never yet been demonstrated,' u
Mi. Baker replied.
well, can he stay there? That is what
want tc find out, again asked MI Elkins
'He never has,, said Mr. Baker The
Public Printer would have to have q
pretty stiff backbone to keep a non-union
man in the office, and, were he to make the
fight for him, do notthink Congress would
back him up. Several persons who have
come in as non-union men have joined the
union and remained
Mr. Harold Be netlict, a printer and proof
reader, who is a member of the Printing
Office examining board said that it
had had several full meetings an d had dis
oussed not only the law itself, bu 4 the char
acter of questions that should be put 10
applicants for place. Men who had been
examined spoke highly of the character Of
the examination and the practical nature
Of the questions propounded.
Commissioner Proctor asked if men were
not appointed through political influence,
and though incompetent, kept in office.
Mr.. Benedict admitted that such WAS the
L
ploye kept there for a long time
Senator Pritchard said: win you give
me the name of some Senator who kept a
man there?"
"Yes. Senator Blount.''
''Whorn did he insist on keeping there?"
81 cannot recall his name; but l know of
the circumstance
What year was that?" inquired Senator
PritGhard.
I'm 1882" replied the witness.
''Wno was then Public Printer"
mfr. Rounds"
Ibid Afr. Palmer have any incompetent
men appointed and retained7''
well, there were a number OF lncoI-
petent men in the office during his term of
Office
Mr.. Benedict was unable to say just what
proportion.
The Senator inquired whether Public
Printer Benedict ever acknowledgements tent
men, and If so, what proportion The wit
ness adroitly responded that Public Printer
Benedict had had three years experience
in the office, and he guarded particularly
against having incompetent men.
Senator Pritchard thought that a good
plan would be TO have alist Of all employees
of the Printing Office, showing the political
complexion Of each appointee.
Mr.. BENEDICT said four-fifths Of the ap-
pointments made by MI. Palmer during
the Cleveland Administration were Demo
Gratis. The office was crowded beyond
the working capacity. At one time one
third OF the office were on a furlough.
It was then that Public Printer Benedict
came in and applied business principles
and discharged men right and left.
Senator Pritcbard asked about the po-
litcal complexion OF the discharged men.
Il should infer answered the witness,
"that they were pretty generally Repub-
licans''
Then the Republicans were consider
ably in the Minority
"Yes, about 40 per cent"
Senator Elkins-You say q great many
men were appointed at the request of Sen
ators. Did you ever know of Senator
having more than two or three appointees.
''Ycs, sir; more than that
Chow many more?''
"Weil, when Mr.. Palmer wanted to re-
tain the good will of Democrats 1 think
there were as many as seventy-five men
creditedto Congressman James D. Richard
son.
well, let us know who else,'' suggested
Senator Elkins. Were there any men on
the other side OF the House?''
"Oh, yes. there was Senator German"
'How many did he have?''
Something like zoo" There was con-
laughter at this
where did he keep them all-in Mary
land?''
We'll lie backed a great many District
men,
Mr.. Benedict did not like to be regarded
az under oath strictly on the number, but
The figures given were very near the mark
II want to know all about these ap-
pointees," continued Senator Elkins
WHO was this James Richardson"
be was chairman of the House Printing !
Committee :"
Has Senator Pritehard got any there?" |
okingly asked Senator Elkins 81 want |
20 know because don't know that have |
my myself -
Senator Pritchard answered Senator El- |
ltns by suggesting TO the witness that |
Senator Eikins' record he exposed.
Senator Pritchard Iaterinauired as to the |
of skilled laborers.
Mr.. Benedict thought that drivers and |
III laborers should be known as skilled |
aborers.
Senator Pritchard asked if the name |
skilled lahorer" was not a misnoner
'Do you not know that some of the best
lriyers Of horses are illiterate?" he asked.
The Senator, continuing, expressed the
opinion that nothing had done more to
'ring the civil service into disrepute than
he system OF classifying all help as skilled
'elp. Even drivers and laborers were
,nown as skilled