The times., 1898-02-02

I question DafS a man out, ana tnat some
/ of the men giving these ridiculous an
swers were certified for appointment on
account of their excellent standing in
other things
Mr.. Proctor will conclude his testimo-
ny tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Mr.. Edson FavOrs the System.
Civil service reform found firm
friend yesterday in Mr.. John JOY Ed
son, president of the Washington Loan
and Trust Company. He volunteered
to appear before the Committee of the
House on Civil Service Reform and give
to the committee his views. Mr. Ed
son was at one time connected with the
! Treasury Department, and since that
time he has made a careful study of
civil service reform After declaring
TO the committee that he was en-
phatically in favor of the merit sys-
TEN and of civil service reform, he
gave as one OF his reasons for the pres
ent system the very few defalcations
that take place in the Government. The
number, he said, was so few that it
was remarkable, considering that there
are so many employed in positions of
trust He declared that in his belief
Government employees should hold office
while efficient and of good behavior.
and that when they became old or in
capable they should be dropped from
the service.
In his opinion there should be no
civil pension list and Government en-
ployes should be treated the same as
they are in private business. He be-
lieVed the classified service ought to
be extended to include watchinen and
others in the lower positions, and that
such extension would give an ideal
service. He did not claim for the
present civil service reform that il
was d perfect system, but he was not
sufficiently familiar with the details of
the service to point out the difficulties
with which the Commissioners have to
contend.
Mr.. Lands inquired il IL We're not a
fact that clerks invest in property in
the District.
Yes, it is; you viii find that not
only clerks now buy property and make
their homes here, but Senators. Repre-
sentauves, Cabinet officers and others
in the employ of the Government. Be
fore the classified service became ef- |
fectiVe, hundreds of Government en- |
ployes at the end Of each Administra- |
ton became stranded and the citizens |
here were called upon 10 assist them TO |
get home
Mr.. Edison referred to one case that |
I4dh tbIilG uIlutI Ills IeJSOIlal nOtlCe. al
applicant for the place of Assistant At |
torney General under the Hayes Ad-
was reduced TO the neces-
sity of finally taking q position as mes
senger in the Pension Office, which he
filed until he could earn money enough
TO return to the position in life he was
fitted TO fill.
He said that many employees of the
Government attended law school. but
no did think that nj .,-;tl, |
their duties.
Mr.. Lands said he knew of a case
where sixteen out of seventeen ap-
pointees of one member of Congress
were attendants at normal colleges.
That may be true. but you wouldn't
discourage education?" inquired Mr.
Edison
"Oh. no." replied Mr. Lands.
II think said Mr.. Edison, that one
IF the best things resulting from the
present law is that it encourages ed
Jcation."
Continuing. Mr. Edison said that in
lis judgment, under the so-called spoils
system such a good class of employees
ire not obtained; that the men who Sc
:ure positions are political strikers
cooking for reward for political SER
,le who fill offices should do so from
purely patriotic motives.
Mr.. Frederick L. Siddons, secretary
If the District Civil Service Reform |
Association, followed Mr.. Edison. and
said in reply to a question from Mr..
Pearson of North Carolina that there
we're So 100 persons in the employ of the
government in the District, of which
number 1900 secured their positions
without the merit system and exami-
lations entailed by it.
Mr. Lacey interjected that, in his |
pinion, this showing was an excellent
lefense of the so-called spoiis system 4
o which Mr.. Siddons took exception.
lie said that he was willing to admit | ,
hat far more persons took the civil
ervice examinations than could ever
e appointed. He regarded the increase
n number of employees as the natural
esult of the growth of the country and
is increased business. He did not sup {
ose that the force in 1870 would be suf- ,
cient to do the work now. no matter I
that system prevailed. The act of 1883 ;
vas the result of the demands made i,
y the people.