The times., 1897-05-09

and the jointly clerical or civil service
divisions Of the departments.
If says Mr.. Hermann, lit is assumed
that the dominant party shall shape the
legislation OF the country III consonance
with the policies which it SustainS, it has
right to know that the chiefs Of divis-
ion, VINO first shape recommendations os
they are called for through the various
divisions, are in perfect sympathy with the
party policies. The chief clerks are con-
fidential advisers OF the heads OF bureaus
and departments, and are the custo,iians
OF important secrets which involve the pub
lie interests, while at the same time they
should be in the highest seIse acceptable
and personally agreeable TO the one who
must repose confidence In them.
Indian Commissioner Browning says that
il has been found impracticabie TO till by
regular appointment such places as sawyer,
blacksmith, general mechanic, additional
firemen, teacher OF industries, and shoe
and harness maker.
Commissioner OF Education Harris says
that it seems to him that the existing law
OF Congress in regard to civil service does
not need any amendment, because it al
ready gives To the President and through
him to the Civil Service Commission suffi-
cient power to develop a perfect system.
He thinks the reform civil service law
should be continued as it is and not re-
pealed.
The reply OF the Commissioner of Pen
siOns was very brief, and simply says Il
have the honor TO request that the follow
ing positions be excepted from the classi.
fled service: The chief clerk, the appoint
ncnt clerk, the private secretary, TIE
chiefs OF division, the special examiners,
and physicians composing the medical ex-,
anining boards. These positions should be
under the control OF the commissioner, in
order to insure harmonious and effective
organization"
Charles D Wolcott. director of the Geo
logical Survey, writes that the civil serv-
ice rules now cover all the classes and
grades in the survey, except the places OF
temporary field assistants and iaborers
and workn:en. He observes that the civil
service rules have been efficient and sat
isfactory, and there is no modification
that he would suggest
w. w. Godding, superintendent of the
Hospital for the Insane, says that his
limited experience in the practical work
ing Of the civil service rules does ot Justify
him in giving an opinion. In response to
categorical questions applicable to other
departments Mr.. Godding remarked that
collectors and United States niarshals
10 not come under the jurisdiction OF this
hospital"
Gen Wade Hampton, commissioner of
railroads, writes that he favcrs including
collectors of internal revenue and United
States marshaIs in the classified service;
also that the reformed service should I've
continued, but that it could be properly
amended in some particulars, and should
tie properly and honestly administered
The first witness was Thomas Robinson,
who entered the service after a competitive
examination In 1873, securing a $1,000
cierkship in the office OF tile Second
Comptroller OF the Treasury He was dis
missed in August, 1898 No charge was
made against him. and at his request he
was given the privilege of resigning. in
response TO questions Mr.. Robinson said he
was an ardent Republican and had con-
Quoted the only Republican newspaper
in Georgia during the second Grant cam
paign He had made no application for re-
instatement, because the parties who got
him out were until quite recently still in
power aud some OF them were still there
Mr.. Robinson was not an old soldier and
not entitled to reinstatement on that
account
William W Hill proved to be an interest
ing witness. He is now out of the depart
ment; says he has no AK TO grind, and does
not want to get back His charges We're
directed more particularly against the Civil
Service Commission and the apparent col
lusion between the commission and the
Postoffice Department, whereby the civil
service law was violated Mr.. Hill entered
the service in the Postoffice Department In
1889 in the city postoffice, where he re-
mained until / S91, and was transferred to
the General Postoffice Department at
salary Of $500. In September, 1893, ne
was promoted to $1,000, and few days
later made assistant superintendent of the
free delivery system.
MIR. Hill explained that he was put in
charge OF the claims for overtime, and
subsequently, conducted much of the Post
office business as commissioner before
the Court of Claims In the course Of his
testimony Mr.. Hill detailed the inaugural
uon OF the spy system, and told how these
appointments increased rapidly, from a
total Of four to total OF fifty-nine, all OF
whom were appointed, Mr. Hill contended,
irregularly and without authority Of law
The pay of these men, this witness stated,
was increased from time to time, while
William NJ. Bellnan, the alleged chief ef
these special agents, received an average
of SIT 75 day. According TO this wit
ness, Sixth Auditor Howard had refused
TO pass upon these claims, but was sub