New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-02
MR.. ROOSEVELT A WITNESS.
HE GIVES STRONG TESTIMONY TO THE
GOOD RESULTS OF THE MERIT SYSTEM.

HE GIVES STRONG TESTIMONY TO THE
GOOD RESULTS OF THE MERIT SYSTEM.
Washington. Feb. Theodore Roosevelt. As
sistRnt Secretary Of the Navy. before the
Senate Committee Civil Service and Retrench
to-day. Speaking OF his practical expert
ence Mr. Roosevelt said that he had found that the
Civil Service system had worked uncomfortable
Improvement. He had observed this both as Po-
lice Commissioner in New-York and as Assistant
Secretary OF the Navy Referring especially 70
tho Navy Department, he dwell az some length
on the abuses under the former system He said
that in tho navy yards the spoils system had be-
come intoerable under Secretary Tracy that
the Secretary had been compelled TO adopt regis
traton system. With reference TO the Increase
Of men IN the labor department Of the Brooklyn
Navy Yard just previous to election and con-
trasting 1892. after the present system went into
effect with 1855 he said that just previous TO the
election in 1855 there had been $500 men employed.
whereas a few weeks subsequent TO It the number
had been reduced TO l.4oO while In 1892 there had
been no change in the numbers before and after
the election
Nj Roosevelt said that he had investigated the
employment OF labor In al the big navy yards OF
the Atlantic coast personally, and that at Mare
Island by deputy, and that the commanding officers
had without exception commended the change from
tho old system 10 the new. saying In most In
stances that the Improvement was beyond belief
both among the laborers and in the clerical de-
partment. The commandants had testified tnat
without exception the work was better and more
quickly done than formerly The places OF ship
keepers we're the only left in the naval
service which dd not now come within the class
ihed service and these places gave the officials
Of the Department more trouble than the entire
force outside of them
Referring 70 the recent change whereby minors
and apprentices had been brought under the class
fled service he said there often severe strug-
giles FOR these places and that he spent the great
er part Of two working days IN interviews with
Senators and Representatives who were pleading
against the right of a commandant 10 promote a
man from a s.2rC 10 1000 place without con
sulting the Congressional delegation from the
mans State.
In reply TO q question from Senator Pritchard
he said that there were still some importantly on
the part Of Senators and Representatives. but the
gave an amusing account of the EFFORT to Introduce
merit system among the New-York police. but he
said there was doubt that the Introduction OF
the system had proved OF vast advantage to the
service The examination for this service. he said.
was half physical and half mental, and II was con-
stantly being perfected In reply 10 a question by
Senator Pritchard he contended that the exanina-
ton for this service should be practical rather
that the policemen should have some general In
superintenaent White Of the Railway Mall Ser
vice. and Henry II. Brogden, chief clerk at the
the classified service. Mr.. White spoke especially
OF the improved record In handling the mails; re
said that where there vas formerly one mistake IN
every 300 letters, There was now only one 20