The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-06

The Civil Service Investigating Com
mittee met at the Maltby House today
and received the testimony of Major
Frederick Bracket, appointment clerk
of the Treasury Department. This was
strongly adverse to the civil service
law as at present administered. There
were present, Senator Pritchard. Sena-
tor Lodge Senator Chiffon, Represen-
tative Baker and Civil Service Com
missioners Proctor and Harlow.
Mr.. Bracket declared that he is in
favor of a civil service law. He said
the act of 1883, either by reason of its
basic provisions or because of the man
ner in which il has been administered,
has failed to fully satisfy either its pro-
jeetors or general public. Both Dem
ocrats and Republicans. he said. are
in favor TO certain extent Of a civil
service that shall recognize merit and
capacity. but the majority of both par
ties assert that these essential quail
fications can properly and advantage
ously be linked with political quail
fication: and as the present law and
rules bar politics, the clamor against
the law has grown TO formidable pro-
portions.
1t is a cowardly and abusive. argu-
ment TO meet a proposition for the en-
actment OF a better law with the allie
cation that those who advocate such a
course are 'spoilsmen.' l am frank
enough to say that if ! could so modify
the law as to favor the appointment
Of Republicans when the Administra-
tion was Republican, and Democrats
when the Administration was Demo
ocratic. / would do so, making il a con-
dition, however. that discharges should
not be made because of political faith"
He said vacancies enough occur
for reasons other than political in the
various executive departments of the
Government TO make it possible TO sat
isfy a great proportion of partisan
claims as are usually satisfied under
the most favorable conditions.
Mr. Bracket said he had been in the
civil service of this Government at vari-
Gus times for periods that aggregate
eighteen years. Until 1883 nearly all
clerks were examined, as provided by
the act of 1853 to test their qualifica-
tions for entrance into the service and
for promotion, after having served a
probatiOnal term. The examinations
were Of a practical character and gen.
orally proved to be a fair index OF the
candidates ability. Even under the
sO-called sDoils system. L never had
personal knowledge of the retention or
promotion of but few incompetent or
unworthy clerks: but / do know that
merit. constancY, and industry were
invariably rewarded. Injustice may
have been done in rare instances. but
never to such an extent as has occur
red under the reformed civil service
There were no more pulls" in evidence
then than there are now. and always
will be under any scheme that can be
devised. unless the human heart be-
comes less susceptible. and preference
for strangers overshadows our regard
for friends.
IN conclusion Major Bracket said
that IN order to have true civil service
reform. il will be necessary to reform
the civil service laws and methods now
controlling appointments. promotions
and transfers in the public service.
Major Bracket set forth that as the
act Of 1883 only provides for the class
ification of the force in the several ex-