New-York tribune., 1898-01-28
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMERS HEARD.
A SERIES OF HEARINGS BEGUN BY Houxu
COMMITTEE


Washington. Jan 27-The series OF hearinsr n ~
given by the House Committee Civil Service Re-
form begun to-day. John W. Ely. OF Chicago q
member OF the National Civil Service Reform Asso-
citation. formerly manager Of the Illinois State Re-
formatory and once president OF the Chicago Po-
lice Board the first witness. and made nurneP-
Gus suggestions. He sad that the worst thing
that could happen would he to have the terms Of
office OF Government employees expire simultaneous
ly. as was proposed by the Evans bill. which pro-
poses tenure OF Office OF five years He preferred
the merit system merely because II puts business
principles into operation in the business part OF
the Government.
Representative Tawney OF Minnesota. put the wit
ness through a course OF questions bearing on the
alleged large number OF ncapactated and aged
persons kept in the Government service The wit
ness believed the Civil Service law plus the power
OF removal would remedy this defect in existing
ditions, and would afford the means for eliminating
much useless stuff from the departments He ad-
vocated promotions based unasssted earned
merit
Representative Lands, Of Indiana suggested that
employees should De made 10 understand that they
10 step out OF the Government service when
they attained seventy seventy-fve years Of age.
and insisted that Senator'S and members OF Congress
had as much Influence with the Civil Service Com
mission as with the heads OF departments
Considerable discussion followed when the wit
dom OF making charges against them for age or in
capacity. Several members denounced the propo-
sition cruel and unjust when following long and
faithful service. The witness made a vigorous pro-
test against the Evans bill. the measure framed
the result OF the recent anti-Civl Service con-
ference OF members OF Congress. and asserted that
1t practically abolished the Civil Service law.
Representative Evans. Of Kentucky the author
of the Evans BILL explained the provisions OF that
measure He had no objection 10 the civil Service
law far as it was intended oy Congress 10 op-
crate. and commended highly the original rules
made by President Arthur. wAich voiced the senti-
wanted to restore President Arthur's IDEAS
r. Francis Wood of Philadelphia. secretary OF the
Civil Service Reform League OF Pennsylvania, dis
puted the limited sense which had been sought TO
be applied the original intent OF the civil Ser
vice law. He said he was associated with Mr
framing of the act and sought 10 SHOW that the
extensions made were in line with the original
Representative Tawney asserted that the records
showed mat M rendet9n d af sSa na y 1r y 70 sSv
officials except those in the Executive Depart
ments in Washington and certain cusiomhouses
chairman Brosus believed Mr. Pendleton
misquoted and said the record would be intro
Mr. Wood thought the Civil Servise matter
should be left in the Jurisdiction OF the ENecuiy.
Representative Lands tried 70 interrogate Chair
man Brosius al this juncture and his inquiries
would object 10 the Chair delivering stump
speech after every answer OF "A witness
and civil Service ref6rmer also talked some
length. He depicted the evils Of improper appoint
dals that ensued disputing Representatfv, Eyans's
contentious 10 cxagGeratlon OF partsahshlp ln
that public sentiment in Maryland was In favor q
the Civil Service law. but ne fid not thlhh ln" uHr
was ripe for tacknF cy srvce @ H. eon no
tinued on Tuesday