The herald., 1897-12-21
THE CIVIL
SERVICE
In Need of a Whole Lot of
Reforming
M'KINLEY'S ALLEGED MIND
IS NOW IN PROCESS OF BEING
MADE UP
Pension Commissioner Evans Says He
Prefers Assistants Appointed
M'KINLEY'S ALLEGED MIND
IS NOW IN PROCESS OF BEING
MADE UP
Pension Commissioner Evans Says He
Prefers Assistants Appointed
Under Spoils System
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. Dec. 2O.-No ap-
pointments will be made by the presi-
dent during the holiday recess of con-
gress except in case of emergency.
Despite the announcement Of this fact
the number of visitors at the White
today was unusually large. Gen. John
w. Foster had brief interview with
the president concerning the pelagic
sealing bill, which is now before the
executive. Representative Johnson Of
North Dakota urged the president not
to sign the sealing bill, maintaining
that as diplomatic negotiations between
the United States and Canada with ref
erence to the sealing controversy had
been practically terminated. the bill
would avail nothing in furthering the
negotiations, and would be an injustice
to sealers of the United States. The
president gave no expression of his in
tentions, but 1t is expected that he will
sign the bill In a few days.
Attorney General McKenna, accom-
panied by w. ]. Coombs Of New York,
one Of the government directors of the
Union Pacific railroad, talked briefly
with the president about Pacific railroad
matters.
Representative Brossius Of Pennsyl-
vania, chairman of the civil service
committee, had an extended conference
with the president about the operation
Of the civil service law. The president
Is availing himself Of the opportunity
to talk freely with senators and repre-
sentatives concerning the law and the
effort that Is now being made to secure
its modification. He is being urged to
except some positions that are now in
the classified service, but at the White
House 1t Is said that he has not yet
seriously considered the question Of
modifying the law.
Commissioner of Pensions Evans to-
day appeared before the senate COM
mittee on civil service and retrench-
ment, which Is conducting an investiga-
ton into the operation of the civil ser
vice system. Mr.. Evans was questioned
at length by Senators Lodge and Pritch-
ard about the civil service system and
it's application to the pension office force.
He expressed the opinion that the law
did not accomplish the results its
friends insisted that it did. The best
men In his office were those who had
come in under the so-called "spoils
system" They did their duty and ex-
pected to hold their positions by SO do
ing.
The commissioner believed that the
head Of the bureau was in the position
best qualified to pass upon the efficiency
Of clerk, and that he ought not to be
hampered in removing clerk for In
/ efficiency. If permitted to do so, he
could remove at least 100 clerks from
his office without affecting the efficiency
| of the force. He thought it would be
desirable to have definite tenure Of
office not exceeding ten years, so that
every year about 10 per cent Of new
blood could be infused into the force.
This would do away with the abuses
resulting from some clerks remaining
| in office too long. The commissioner
| thought some reform would have to be
enacted, or the country would have the
infliction of civil pension list. He be-
lieved it was a mistake to include in
the classified service the special ex-
aminers, medical boards, chiefs of di-
visions and all others receiving sala-
ries exceeding S1400.
The committee appointed at the house
civil service conference ten days ago to
draft notifications of the civil service
law, met today and went over the vari-
Gus bills pending before the house. The
committee expects to have measure
framed by the time congress meets next
month. Its members are opposed to the
present law, as including too many
offices within its scope.
IN OPEN REVOLT
BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 20.-Surveyor-
General Joseph Perrault is in revolt
against the civil service law and the in
terror department. He has been at war
(ConNinued on Page Three.)