New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-06
AN ANSWER NEEDED.


The statement of the National Civil Service
Reform League concerning the new Civil Service
rules IS one which ought to be answered, ana
answered convincingly, by somebody in author
ity. who can show that the notifications DO
not omen the door to sposmen. as the League
with great detail and minute specification, as
serts. It will not do to make excuse that the
order merely undoes the partisan work OF the
former Administration. 1t long ago lay i'll Tue
power Of the Republicans to undo anything vi
that sort that needed undoing. The power Oh
removal at the beginning of President Mchih-
ley's term was absolute and was subsequently
limited only by the necessity OF specifying pun
licly the reason for removal. There mas Deeh
no trouble about getting rid OF any Democrats
who may perhaps have been unfairly covered
by Mr.. Clevelands order and filling their places
by competition. 1t will not do, either, TO rely Oh
assurances that the changes have been maze LOT
the good Of the service by experienced ana pa
triotc officials. after long study. That VIII
hive weight with the friends Of the Administra-
t,on who are anxious TO have their doubts re-
solved. But the problem Of the Republican
marty Is not merely to hold the respect OF its
natural supporters but to command the respect
Of its natural critics.
The National Civil Service Reform League
issues challenge that cannot wisely be ignored
II does not even concede a previous thorough
going Civil Service reform spirit. but attacks
many earlier dealings with the subject by the
Republicans in such way as tends 10 persuade
many men who wish TO be fair. but VINO 10 not
approve the new regulations, into the notion
that the pledges of the ST. Louis Convention
and of Mr. Mckinley himself were insncere
and that the Presidents entire Administration
has been a betrayal of Civil Service reform.
This. we think Is highly unjust Such view
fails to give due credit to the remarkable eX-
tensions of the reform made by Mr.. Mckinney
which were hailed by the reformers as the
greatest advance in the perfection or the merit
system since the passage OF the original law.
II laws undue stress on failures to respond 10
all demands of impatient reformers ana neg
lect TO divert attention from pressing ana wor'
rying affairs of the highest importance 10 the
correction OF minor abuses. Possibly the Presl'
dent has now and then, as In the census legls-
lation, avoided engaging in strenuous contro-
versy In behalf Of competitive EXAMINATIONS
IL So IL was certainly pardOnable opportnnlsm
when he had the burdens of war on his hands
IL Mr. Lincoln might admit Nevada 10 insure
the freedom of the slaves, Mr.. Mckinley might
perhaps leave Congress to constitute a census
bureau in it's own way If 1t would thereby
more easily grant the prime requirement FOR
tbe maintenance of National arms and honor.
But the Injustice Of the inslnuations Will
not mako them harmless. When the League
ATTACKS Civil Service methods in the War De-
partment and insists that not the emergency OF
competition there it tends to revive against the
Administrators Civil Service policy all the Ill
feeling which has existed over msmanagement
In the War Department. Those comp'aih's 'ie
6lsappointment over the failure to put the CEN
sus on n merit basis and number OF minor
patronage abuses which will exist under any
government, put together as background LOT
the new order will certainly show that order IN
q bad light before many persons who wish 10
Judge 1t Justly. If their good opinion Is 10 De
secured, the new order must be defended
against the charges of the League that 1t With
draws from the classified service not merely
four thousand, but over ten thousand Oinces;
that It fastens upon the service without proper
tests. In classified places, thousands who were
put upon the payrOlls temporarily In the war;
that II throws open the whole service to the In
vnsion on mere pass examinations or any
number OF persons previously appointed, with
or without examination, TO some other place,
thus allowing full liberty for political appoint
ments by the subterfuge of transfers, and that
by the provisions for reinstatement 1t carries
old spos controversies over from one Admins
tration 10 another and opens the door for end
less reprisals. We are prepared to believe that
these rules are misnterpreted, and that pes
sim,stlc View Of their effect may have been
taken because they traverse the wishes and
ideas of the critics. Therefore, we urge that
somebody who can point out In detail the ne
ccssty of every change and explain just how
n Will work I'm practice undertake that task
and secure for the rules the favor OF intelligent
citizens.
In view of Republican platform pledges such
commendation of q doubtful change would nj
any time be advisable. Under present cireum
stances It IS little less than imperative. The
unr has left us confronted with great colonial
nroblem. and not few honest men have anx
| ious doubt of our ability to provide proper
Civil Service for the successful management OF
tho new possessions. Anything that makes
that questioning more anxious tends to weaken
public support Of the expansion policy and OF
the Administration identified with that policy
Our problem is TO give our new islands better
Civil Service than we have ever had ut home
and we shall not solve ii by leaving those who
doubt our mower to furnish such a government