The times., 1897-04-27
AT WORK ON CIVIL SERVICE.
Mckinley Wishes to Fill High Posts
With Republicans.


President Mckinley, 1t Is well known,
has been strongly appealed to by leading
Republicans IN the Senate and House 10
modify some OF the orders issued by PresI-
his Administration, placing nearly all OF
the offices OF the Federal Government in
the classified service. 1t was found on
investigation that about 40, 900 offices OF
various kinds and classes were covered,
and placed in the classified service dufing
Clevelands last term. A large majority
of the 10000 were placed there during
the last year or six months of his term.
President Mckinley and his Secretaries
have been looking into the matter, and
they have discovered that in nearly all
the departments, especially in the Treas
ury and Interior. ali OF the higher grades
of appointments from 81 900 and up
wards are filled by Democrats who were
appointed during the four years term
OF Cleveland's last Administration. After
all these places had been filled by The
different Secretaries, and all the lower
grades, such as nlessen gers, watchInen and
laDorers, with their democratic frien:ls.
the exPresident issued general order
placing all the appointments not requiring
con firmation by the Senate In the classi-
fled service.
During the four years term OF President
Harrison's Administration he and his Sec
retaires rigidly adhered TO the civil service
law. There was not during the four years
an attempt made to Violate or eydde the
law. and IL was carried out to the letter
Now, however, President Mckinley and
his Secretaries find themselves surrounded
on every hand by Democrats, who are in
charge OF nearly all OF tie important posi-
tions, such chiefs OF divisions and others
who are protected and covered by the civil
service law. There is nothingin the law to
prevent the removal Of all of these officers,
but the secretaries cannot make any selec-
tion for these higher grades except through
the civil service commissioners, OF by pro-
motion of clerks in the various offices in the
departments.
Before taking any steps or determin-
ing upoh the line of policy To be pur-
sued III changing or modifying the rule
or rules issued by President Cleveland
curing the latter months OF his term.
President Mckinley decided to have a
talk with the Civil Service Commissioners
relative to this matter.
Accordingly, lie summoned the mem
bers OF the commission TO the Execu-
tive Mansion Saturday. and for upward
OF an hour. the whole subject was dis
cussed. The Commissioners are very reti-
cent as to what occurred but it is Under
stood that President Mckinley informed
them that IL would lie necessary for him
- -
that would enable himself and the Sec
retaries 10 make selections, and rill some
OF the important places in the depart
ments outside or the civil service law and
reguIations.i,u
Some OF the most important offices un-
der the Government are now protected
and covered by the ciyii service law and
are filled by Democrats. who are not in
aocorl with the policy Of the present Ad-
Ininistration.
President Mckinley, il is understood, as
sured the commissioners that he aud the
members of Ills Cabinet were in favor OF
civil service and believed in the merit sys-
ten, but he did not think thatit was just
or fair IN fill all the Important offices from
one party aud then close che door and lock
it against another party corninginto power
The President believes that he and his
Secretaries should have as their aides and
assistants persons who are not only friendly
hut In fun accord with the policy OF the
Administration.
1t may become neccssar = for the President
TO make change In the personnel OF the
Civil Service Commissioners. The present
ncumbents were all appointed by ex-
President Cleveland. and their procliyities
are Democratic and not Republican.