New-York tribune., 1899-06-13
E. P. WHEELER ATTACKS 1T.
SAYS NEW CIVIL SERVICE ORDER LEGAL
IzEs VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW


great deal OF criticism Of the Presidents recent
change in Civil Service rules has found It's way into
print. The latest attack on the order Is from
Everett P. Wheeler for more than eight years
chairman Of the Civil Service Commission in this
city. who charges Mr.. Mckinley with legalizng,
by an express order. direct violation OF the law
This charge Is contained In open letter written
by Mr.. WHEELER. under date OF June s. and addressed
10 Lyman J. Gage. Secretary OF the Treasury.
who Is reported 10 have advised the changes.
In this letter Mr.. Wheeler says that the second
section Of the Federal Civil Service Act Of 1883 has
never been repealed, and Is binding upon the Pres-
dent. This section requires that the Civil Service
rules TO be promulgated by him shall declare, as
nearly the conditions OF good government will
warrant" for open competitive examinations Tor
testing the fitness OF applicants for the public ser
vice. now classified 10 be classified; and that
all places classified shall be filled by selections
from those graded highest the results OF such
competitive examinations.
Mr.. Wheeler then goes on to argue that the ex-
clusion Of ten thousand important places from the
classified service was bad enough. but the rule al
lowing the transfer Of persons appointed without
any examination at all to places in the classified
service without competitive examination. is even
more mischievous.
This Is the language he uses:
This permits the transfer Of persons appointed
as laborers In any department Of the Government
10 any position in the classified service without
/
peatedly seen employed 10 evade the requiremei Is
OF the Civil Service act in the State Of New-1ork.
during the service to which l have referred the
Commission OF which was member discovered
ers, without examination, and that they were as as
signed 70 duty as clerks or In other positions IN the
classified service without any test Of fitness what-
This is not only direct violation of the law, but
service by letting it be distinctly understood thai
merit does not cut any hgure in the selection OF
fO nlaCo hut nat IL b.
tect OF appointments by the Government s 70
preference Our Commission was constantly on
That il should be iegalized by an express order OF
the President fills me with astonshment. l am
reluctant 10 believe that either you or he would
tions Of law and legszes. as far order Of the
President can do, the evasion Of the express re-
qurement. Of statute l cannot suppose that this
was the intention either Of the President or Of
yourself. But can assure you from personal OBJ
servation that 4 will be so construed by your
subordinates What can you expect from them II
their chiefs adopt rules which do in point Of fact
the statute? II you do it in one case you may be
sure they will do It in others
Mr. Wheeler then goes on 10 assure Mr. Gage
that those Democrats who helped elect Mckinley
by voting for Palmer and Buckner and who relied
upon Mr.. McKlnley's express pledge in his letter
Of acceptance that the Republican party would
take no backward step upon Civil Service. and
would seek 10 improve but never to degrade the
public service. inexpressibly paned to find that
not support Mr.. Mckinley for reelection
Mr.. Gage has replied TO Mr.. Wheeler as follows:
have received and read with great deal OF
care your favor OF the Sth inst It's tone ls In
pleasant contrast 70 the yituperatlon porn ot mis-
UNDERSTANDING. 20 prevalent IN the newspapers
who profess 10 consider themselves the champions
ave Ed ev II Service SER Reform S haye ong eesh to
be a system which will secure to the Government
Adminstr ton subordinates OF all kinds, chosen
with regard to merit alone; and without re-
gard TO their political OF religious opinions or
vantage The civil Service Commission and the
rules formulated for its guidance by the President
reached.
After the most careful study am capable 0;
order operates to break down in essential par
how potica M iHnence viii be any more Effective
in securing appointments with the rules amended
words. the present merit system has been care
fully preserved. and that with higher degree OF
GT sergse N sa onF been
loaded with a multiplicity OF duties which it could
lays especially in those departments requiring the
humber character Of services. and IN that much
smaller number requiring the very highest grade
In The Commercial" newspaper. issued this
evening will appear another statement made by
me in answer TO the impassioned and inconsid-
League. II you will read that. IT will save
multitude Of words in this letter, and II will ex-
not understand
Referring to the embarrassments which have
attachments through Civil Service examinations.
and which the amendment 70 Rule " Of the
pamphlet mailed you with this) was Intended 10
secure. l call your attention TO letter, copy OF
1885 II is addressed 10 the President. and signed
by the Regents OF the Smithsonian Institution. II
incloses resolution which was unanimously
adopted and reads as follows:
Resolved, That the secretary be Instructed 10
request Of the President such modification OF the
Civil service regulations relating 70 appointments
as will permit an exemption Of such scientific pos,
tions under the Smithsonian Institution as may
be deemed best for the interests of the institution
Vice-P President OF the United States Senators Nor
rill. Cullom and Gray Representative Hill
l. wilson president OF the Washington and Lee
University; Professor Alexander Graham Bell. Of
Washngtor and the secIeary & Of the & tS ian
statement that OF high scientific position
have usually been found unwilling 10 subject them
selves 10 examination. and that the Smithsonian
Institution has for more than half century So
cured 10 the Government the services OF eminent
men by selections from the whole body OF Amer
lean science n was upon representations like
this that the President induced 10 make the
exceptions indicated In that section OF Rule ~
and not by the petitions or representations OF
I close as began by saying that am heartily
or the merit system. applied to Government az
fairs. In my administration have never kno% n We
violated 7 have found them TO be an efficient and
most valuable shield against the intrusive soncta-
ton Of politicians Bu try not 10 De b,5no, 1,gUs
OF any method devised by the human mind.
larger experience and wider outlook ought 70 ana ana
may give larger and better views believe any
radical changes should be most carefully consid-
cred but am not yet able 70 see that the changes
pronosed bv the President rerder less effective the
merit system as opposed 10 the political system
on the contrary. I believe that the changes In-
augurated will relieve the ,bs er,t sys
TEN to accomplish its true ends more eHicieh'S'