Evening star., 1898-01-06
Appointment Clerk Brackett Gives
Views in Detail.
PRESENT SYSTEM OPPOSED
He is in Favor of Sweeping
Changes.
A COM Nj TTEE HEARING

civil service reform was TODAY Resumed ba-
fore the Senate committee on civil s.ryic.
reform and retrenchment There wer.
present Senator Pritchard, chairman: Sem
ator Chiffon of Texas and Senator Lodge
of Massachusetts
Nal Fred Bracket, chief of the division
OF appointments of the Treasury Depart-
ment, was the first witness. Among others
present We're Civil Service Commissioners
Proctor and Harlow. Mr.. George r. Wales.
law clerk of the commission and x-Renre-
sentative Henry NJ. Baker acting president
of the National Anti-Ciyil Service League.
MAJ. Brackett read paper which he had
| prepared on the subject Of the investiga-
tion. his appearance before the committee
being in response to a request-by the chair.
man of the committee
Alleged Failure of the Law.
Il am in favor Of civil service law"
said Maj. Brackett. THE act Of 1883
either by reason of its basic provisions or
because of the manner i'm which il has been
administered has failed to fully satisfy
either its projectors or the general public
Both democrats and republicans are in
favor TO a certain extent of a civil service
that shall recognize merit and capacitv.
but the majority OF both parties assert that
these essential qualifications can properly
and advantageously he linked with a po-
litical qualification; and as the present law
and rules bar politics. the clamor against
the law has grown to formidable. proIor-
tions. With either party i'm power strenu-
ous efforts are made to favor the adher.nts
of the political faith of the dominant partv
with the result that while public manifesto
tonS OF approval of the theory and sDirit
OF the law are often given. private denun-
citation of its scope and operations is Ne-
hement and bitter. The pertinent question
to be answered therefore. is What modifi-
cations or amendments can bc made i'm the
law in order to carry out its theory and
render its operation satisfactory To the
great mass whom, if you please we will
term the common people?"' Ii is "A coward
ly and abusive argument to meet a PROPOSE
ton for the enactment of a better law with
the allegation that those who advocate such
course are 'spoilsmen.
Il am frank enough to say that if could
so modify the law as to favor the appoint
nent of republicans when the adminis,ra-
ton was republican and democrats when
the administrator was democratic. 1 would
do so. making il a condition, however that
discharges should not be made because of
political faith. l would advocate this for
the reason that TO the greatest possible ex-
tent compatible with good government the
men charged with carrying out the policy
or policies upon which an administration
is placed in power should be in sympat hy
with the administration.
IF there is true merit in any theory of
finance, tariff or reciprocity, who should
be intrusted with the conduct of the busI-
ness that will demonstrate its truth or
faisity? If you were trying TO establish a
Baptist congregation in a community
would you select Mcthodists for your dea-
cohs? | fancy not. 1t is not practicable 10
change the personnel of entire admin
istration every time new party is voted
into power. but there are a multitude of
places where changes should occur. in
Gliding all offices of an administrative or
executive character All new appointments
should tunder proper restrictions be given
to persons Of the same political faith as
the party in power. Vacancies enough oc-
cur through reasons other than political
in the various executive departments of
the government to make ii possible TO
satisfy great proportion Of partisan
claims as are usually satisfied under the
most favorable conditions. My theory is
not the bald theory that the 'spois of Of
flee belong 10 the successful party. but
that the principles advocated by such party
should have the best exponeHts and the
greatest number cbtainable under the con-
dliions and limitations which will propose
in the civil service, for how else can we
shape results upon which the people are
TO judge whether they have chosen wisely
By the greatest number obtainable. 1 do
not mean to include other than the admin
iStrat1Ne ana executive officials. But few
of the thousands Of clerks employed i'm the
departments. many of wnom have been
classified ever since the passage of the
ACT OF 1Sb iSeC. 1b4, *. J, come WITHIN
this category.
Experience of Eighteen Years.
Il have been in the civil service of this
government ct various time for periods
that aggregate eighteen years. Until
1883 nearly all clerks were examined. as
provided by the act of 1853. to test their
qualifications for entrance into the sery-
ice and for promotion. after having served
a proDational term. The examinations
were of practical character and general
ly proved to be fair index of the cam
didates ability. Even under the so-Called
spoils system L never mad personal knowl-
edge of the retention or promotion OF but
few incompetent or unworthy clerks. but
l do know that merit, constanCy and in
dustry were invariably rewarded. Injustice
may have been done in rare instances but
never to such an extent as has occurred
under the reformed civil service. There
were no more pulls in evidence then than
there are now, and always will he under
any scheme that can be devised-unless the
human heart becomes less susceptible and
preference for strangers o'ersradows our
regard for friends
Major Bracketts recommendations for
changes in the law follow:
RecOmme nda tiOns.
1. As the act of 1888 only provides for
the classification of the force in the sew
eral executive departments. in post offices
and the several customs districts of the
United States, all other classfications
should be abolished. or the law amended
so as to clearly include them.
= All places offices requiring scien-
tific or technical Knowledge and experience
should be filled only by the appointment
of an eligible. to be determined by prac-
tical examination Conducted as hereinafter
provided
3. Classifications should be made by the
beads of executive departments, all of the
present independent bureaus df any) TO be
attached to some designated department
for said purpose of classification.
T. All examinations for admission to and
promotio ms In the several departments to
be under the control and direction of the
head of the department.
8. Each department to report annually TO
Congress the character. scope and results
of examinations for appointment and pro-
motion.
g. Appointments In the several depart
ments to be apportioned among the several
states and territories according TO popu-
lation. such apportionment to be deter
mined annually from the best and most
authentic data by the actuary of the Treas
ury Department, and reported to heads of
and auditing officers for their
guidance,