The evening times., 1897-05-22
PRINTING OFFICE PLACES
Continued from First Page.

had had several full meetings and had DIS
cussed not only the law itself, but the char
acter of questions that should be put TO
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
case. and said that he knew Of one en-
nIoye kept there for long time.
Senator Fritchard said: "Will you give
me the name Of some Senator who kept
a man theTe?"
Yes. Senator Blount"
Whom did he insist on keeping there?'
II caunot recall his name; but l know
Of the circumstance.
what wear was that" inquired Senator
Phtchard.
"In 1882" replied the witness.
'.Who was then Public Printer"
"Mr Rounds
.pid Mr Palmer have any incompetent
men appointed and retained2'.
,'Wen, there were a number Of incom-
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 Renedict ever retained incompetent
| men, and if SO what proportion. The wit
ness adroitly responded that Public Printer
Benedict had had three years experiencein
the office and he guarded particularly
against having incompetent men.
Senator Pritchard thought that good
plan would be to have a list Of all employees
OF the Printing office, showing the po-
litical compile xion OF each appointee.
Mr.. RenediCt sa id foUr-fifths of the ap-
pointrnents made by Mr. Palmer during the
Cleveland Admin istration were Democrats
The office was crowded beyond the work
ing capacity. At one time one-thlrd or the
office Were on q furlough. 1t was then that
Public Printer Benedict came in and ap-
Piled business principles and discharged
men right and left
Senator Putchard asked about the po-
HticaI compile xion of the discharged men.
Il should infer" answered the witness,
that they were pretty generally kepub-
leans
Then the Republicans were consider
ably in the minority"
Yes, about 40 per cent"
Senator E!kins-You say great many
men were appointed at the IeQuestof Sena-
tors Did you ever know Of Senator haV-
ing more than two or three appontees!
"Yes, sir: more than that
How many mOre?''
.wer, when Mr. Palmer wanted TO re-
| tain the good willo D Democrats think there
| was as many as seventy-five men credited
to Congressman James D. Richa ardson."
well, let US know who else" suggested
! Senator EIkins. Were there any men on
| the other side of the EOuse?'
"Oh, yes, there was Senator Gornlan.
How many did he have?"
Something like goo" There was con-
| siderable laughter at this.
where did lie keep them all; in Mary
| land?"
..WeH, he backed a great many District
| men.
Mr.. Benedict did not like to he regarded
as under oath strictly on the number but
the figures given were very near the
mark
'I want to know all about these ap-
pointees,' continued Senator Elkins.
who was this James Richardson
"He was chairman of the House Printing
! Committee.
Has Senator Prichard got any there?'
! jokingly asked Senator Elkins, Il want
| to know because don't know that nave
! any myself"
Senator Prichard answered Senator FL
kins by suggesting to the witness that
Senator Elkins' record he exposed
Senator Prichard later inquired as to the
classification Of skilled lahorers
Mr.. Benedict thought that drivers anu
| all laborers should be known as skilled
laborers.
Senator Pritchard asked if the name
skilled laborers'' was not misnomer.
"Do YOU not know that some Of the
best drivers of horses are illiterate?' lie
asked.
The Senator, continuing, expressed the
opinion that nothing had done more 10
bring the civil service into disrepute than
the system OF classifying all help rs
| skilled helr Even drivers and laDorers
were kr $ skilled.
Mr.. j. - r>ennedy followed MI Bene-
| dict He called attention 10 the state
ment of Public Printer Benedict IN his
report that the civil service appolntces
averaged as high in intelligence as other
appointec; whereas, Mr.. Harold Benchict
has said they We're so per cent better than
spoils system appointees.
Mr.. Kennedy insisted that the civil ser
| vice law did not protect offlceh0iders.
He believed the examination Should lie
entirely practical and should not go into
| the scholastic attachments The witness
was asked if a man could be good COM
positor and not pass the civil service
examination Mr.. Kennedy repleh az
| firmatively There was some amusement
| at the witness remarks concerning
rule prohibiting the classification OF
"workmen." IF the committee desires he
| to give q definition OF the word work
men, according to Webster, Worcester and
the Century dictionary l will do so. >
THAT is not at all necessary answered
Senator Elkins." This did not quench the
| witness, however
II would sugpest to the commit" thai