The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-15
Cleveland's Civil Service Shown
to Be a Failure.
WORSE THAN sPolLs SYSTEM,
The Government Piundered by sub
ordinate Omciels stationery.
Costly Books and Bicycles Dixap-
pear-PoitticaI strikers Rewarded
at the Expense OF EMefency-Re-
pubiicans to Change the Ruies
and To Give the Country . Busi-
ness Adminfstration.


WASHINGTON. May A-The senate
committee on civil service and retrencn-
ment IS very much in earnest in regard
10 the investigation which IL has under
taken as 10 the methods In vogue in the
various departments during the last ad-
ministration for carrying cut the civil SER
vice law. Although by no means through
with their Investigations. they have un-
earthed instances almost without end of
violations of the civil service act. show
ing not only that the spoils system was
in full vogue under the great civil SER
vice reform president Mr.. Cleveland. but
also that the government has been in
some cases robbed and plundered by OFF,
Gals high in authority, which fact has
been known to the heads of the depart
ments and even TO the president himself
without any effort being made 10 punish
the perpetrators of the same.
The senate committee on civil service
comprises Jeter c. Prftchard. of North
Carolina: Henry Cabot Lodge. of Massa-
chusetts: Justin g. Morrill, of Vermont: !:
stephen r. Eikins. of West Virginia: Ed
ward C. walthalis OF Mississippi and Hor-
ace Chiffon. of Texas.
Recent disclosures in the war depart
ment, connecting First Assistant Secre-
tGry Doe. of the last administration. with
the purloining of an immense quantity OF
stationery. OF books bound In the most
expensive covers at the governments ex-
pense. OF bicycles purchased from the de-
partment fund. etc. seems likely TO be
followed by even more interesting ac-
counts Of pilferings in other departments.
The Morning Times, of this city. has been
Tor some days limiting at similar removals
OF government property from the White
House and their transportation elsewhere
at government expense. 1t is said that
the paper has abundant proof and is only
waiting for a challenge from parties in
terested. or for a call before the investi-
eating committee TO tell all it knows.
From what has already developed. 1t
would appear that more abuses have
taken place under guise of civil service
protection than ever there did under the
old spoils system. when TO be either
Democrat or a Republican was the high
est enSnse known to the code of political
morals. IL is evident. too, that the pres
ent administration. while Ii does not pro-
Pose TO take a step backward in the mat
Ter of civil service reform. does propose
to considerable extent to modify the ex-
listing rules and the orders made by Pres
ident Cleveland
Civil service reform as practiced by the
last administration. was a bowling farce.
and 10 those who have been here In Wash
fngtou and witnessed the various phases
or H. no investigation to prove that fact
was needed. Civil service reform as prac-
ticed by the heads of the executive de-
partment under President Cleveland con-
sisted I'm putting out Republicans and put
ting in personal friends and political strIk-
ers. noted rather for their fidelity TO those
who appointed them than for their faith
fulness TO party principles. This fact was
thoroughly understood by the rank and
file of the Democratic party during the
last campaign. and was the cause of the
constantly repeated announcement by
Mr.. Bryan that IL he became president
there would be change.
Hoke Smith filled up the interior de-
partment with Georgians. Carlisle brought
10 the treasury department car loads of
kentuckians. and many West firginians
found good berths In the postofffce de-
partment all. of course, to the exclusion
of Republican employees. The incompet-
tency or many Of these people is clearly
TO be seen when II Is understood that the
work In all the departments has been get
ting more and more behind ever since
they came into Office.
So far President McKinley's appoint
ments Indicate that IL Is his determination
10 give the country a business administra-
ton. and such an administration will Ger
fainiy please the people OF the country and
rebound TO his fame as a president hut
unless the civil service orders and rules
are modified the secretaries of the var
ious departments and the heads of the bu-
re9us under them VIII be greatly handi-
capped. A business man can not make a
great success without he has the earnest
support and faithful work from every man
under his direction BY Mr.. Cleveland s
order. after all the principal Offices IN the
departments. Including chiefs of divisions.
had been filed by Democrats. and Cleve-
land Democrats at that. the protecting
ae-ts OF the civil service was extended
over them. In every case. a good. eff
cient and thoroughly competent Repub-
lican was removed 10 make the vacancy.
This Is the kind OF civil service that the
present administration does not see fit 10
inGorse. The purpose Of the present in
vestigation by the senate committee is 10
plare before the people OF the country
such conclusive evidence OF gross parti-
sanship and Of political and personal mis-
conduct as 20 Justify sucn changes as may
be made In Mr. Cleveland sweeping civil
service extension order and az the san me
time satisfy everyons that there is no de-
sire or intention 70 act otherwise than IN
perfect harmony with the policy laid
down In the platform at So. Louis OF real
civil service reform In which only really
competent men are appointed TO positions
OF trust and are retained for the fidelity
with which they transact the public husi-
ness. instead OF for the number OF pollt-
Eat rPr%@Cass tHeN make WF1ite drawing
government pay and the amount Of money
which they collect for campaign purposes
from those under them
Secretary Bliss OF the interior ienart-
meat when asked for hts opinion upon
the civil service ny the senate investiEat-
ing committee. told them thai the chief
clerks IN the various bureaus. and the
chiefs OF divisions also should he exernp:
from the civil service and also that tho
commissioners of the land Office Indian
affairs. patents and pensions should have
the privilege Of appointing their confiden-
tIal secretaries without being compelled
10 take whomever the clstl service might
send Mr.. Bliss is Also Of the opinion that
special agents. timber inspectors. mineral
land commissioners. etc. shoul5 Re more
directly under the control of the secretary,
who Is responsible for their actions ard
who must DEPEND upon them very largely
sor ht< knowledge OF affairs IN distant re-
gions
Rfnrer Hermann of oregon. commits
sso-.sr y,f the general land Office au9s him
s.is badly handicapped by the civil ser
vice Tor al his empIoyes are those Of the
Cleveland administration If IL Is as
~,luress said Mr.. hermann. In reply 70 a
question Of the senate committee. that
the dominant party shall shape the iegis-
lasson OF the conntry IN cons0nanee with
the policy which it sRstains. 10 has a right
~ grow that IRE chiefs OF divisions who
srxt share recommendation as they ara
called for through the various divisions.
are in nerfsct sympathy Win the psriy
,,s,}istes The chief clerks ars confidential
= asxtserS ~ the heads 81 bureaus and de-
nartmanfs. and are the custodianS Of I'm
portant secrets which Involve the paoiic