The times., 1897-06-27

He had served IN that capacity fos three
months, and had been graded as "ex-
cellent," the highest grade attained, ana
upon which promotion was based. In
September the witness was summoned to
the chief clerks room. expecting that he
was to secure 8 promotion. Instead he
'.got it ia the neck" by $500 reduc-
ton.
Witness said he called upon Commissioner
Lochren for the reason for his reduction
In view OF bis good record. Mr.. Lochren
said he knew nothing about 1t. except that
Secretary Hoke Smith had ordered his dis
charge out-and-out- It developed at this
conversation that Secretary Smith learned
that Mr. Jones was the secretary Of the
Missouri Republican Association, and had
gone home during the campaign for a
couple OF days. In view of witness record
in the office and as a soldier, Commissioners
Lochren had decided not to dismiss him,
but to reduce him from 81 200 to $780,
Subsequently, at the urgent solicitation OF
Grand Army friends, Mr.. Jones was put
baek to his old salary by Commissioner
LochIen.
Peter C. Balm, a bookhinder at the Gov
ernment Printing Office, complained OF
the violation not only of the spirit but
the letter of the civil service reform
rules and regulations in the Bure au OF
Engraving and Printing, and was forth
fled with dates and figures He said there
had been innumerable reductions and dis
missals ia that department on account of
political rea sons. Among them were the
following: d. NJ Davis, Republican, dis
- ~xsr
A q Morgan, a Democrat of Kentucky and
father-in-law Of Chief johnson. Immedi-
ateIy after Morgan's appointment the SAL
airy was raised to $4,000.
John o. LarmaR, u practical maehlnist
of long experience, Republican who had
been superintendent of the machine di-
vision for more than thirty years, was
discharged without an hours notice, Marcn
10, 1891.
C. G. BaiIinger, Republican, and old
soldier, was dismissed July 23, 1884, 10
make room for Democrat.
Archie Dick, foreman of the ink-room, a
Republican, and veteran sailor. dismissed
August go, 1894, to make room for a Dem
ocrat.
Nathan King, captain of the watch, g
Republican, and veteran of the war, dis
missed August 20, 1884,, and Democrat
put in his pace, whose only record was
that. he had done some political work for
the chief clerk OF the Treasury.
A. L. Root, watehman,a a Republican, was
dismissed February %. 1894, and his
place given to a Democrat.
j. A. Morris, watchman, a Republican,
and old soldier was let out March A.
1894, to make room for Democrat.
Mr. Balm also told of the discharge OF sew
eral booIbindcrs, all excellent workmen,
whose only offense was that they were Re-
puhlicans, and this reason was assigned
when their discharges were given them
william H. Peck, assistant supertn-
tcndent of the printing division, an old sol
dier and Republican, as given choice
between dismissal and return to the
plate printing press. He took the press
and Is still there.
Peter MeGurr. assistant superintendent
OF the printing division, was treated the
same way. demonstrating with Chief John
son for the reduction. he said that he did
not know that politics had ever had any
influence In the office before.
s.Weli;;'' retorted Chief johnson, poll
tics is here now, and it has come to stay"
Taking up his own case, Mr.. Balm sail
he was dismissed February 26, 1894, as
superintendent of the blndery division. He
was under the civil service reform regu-
lations aud complained to the Commission
That board found that the statements he
had made weie true. Mr.. Balm was pro-
ceeding to explain his own case when the