Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-05

most. if not all, of the infractions of the
law Itself by removing the positions in
question wholly from the competitive class
OF by approving the appointments out
right. To accomplish this 1t removes per-
manently from the competitive lists many
positions and classes of positions for which
experience mas shown, competition is not
only practicable, but peculiarly desirable
and important.
Protest of the League
During last autumn, when the scope of
the order was in some degree anticipated,
many protests were made TO the President
by organizations of citizens and by indi-
viduals. The protest of this league, sub
mitted under date of October %. was ac-
companied by a statement of the arguments
against specific changes, arguments that
nave not as yet been refuted
1T was SHOWN that in the case of many
OF the positions in view department officers
VINO had fairly tried the merit plan had
testified publicly to the successful results
and that for others on the list the civil SER
vice commission had held some of the most
satisfactory OF Its examination 1t was
shown that officers accepting minor fidu-
clary positions may be required to furnish
bond in addition to the passage of an ex-
animation for appointment or promotion as
Is already the practice in many of the
most important branches of the classified
service. The speciousness of the claim that
exceptions were necessary to permit unre-
5tllSltu ptIsOtldi Stltct1OflS Tor positions of
confidence or trust was shown by refer
erce to the fact that where positions of this
character had already been filed in vio-
latlon or the law, the appointees had been
selected generally for political reasons only
not by the superior officer himself, but by
political agents and in many cases with so
little regard to fitness that the conduct of
the public business had suffered in conse-
quence 1t was pointed out that the eXemp-
ton of large classes of positions analogous
IN character to other classes remaining
competitive. would serve as a stimulus for
fresh demands and as a precedent for fur
Their concessions.
Beyond these considerations it was urged
mat retrograde movement in the develop
nent of our administrative system would
be peculiarly unfortunate and inopportune
at time when 1t IS proposed to extend that
system to distant dependencies, and to offer
the advantages of a stable and competent
civil service to other peoples.
THESE arguments however had little
weight me order is more comprehensive
than had at any time been apprehended
1t not only condones grave offenses and in
so doing reduces materially the area of the
competitive system, but 1t opens the way
widely for practices that may make COM
peitive examination in the future the ex-
ception rather than the rule.
The Argument in Defense.
1t has been said in defense of the action
taken that inasmuch as President Cleveland
In May, 1895, extended the rules in such
manner that many of his appointees were
protected" and partisan advantage"
thereby gained. some correction of this sort
was necessary, and again. that the attempt
to apply the rules In these cases had been
attended by embarrassing friction and de-
lay"
1t should be said in fairness to Mr.. Cleve-
land that not a third of the offices classified
by him on the date in question were of the
class subject TO frequent change, and that
no person holding any one of those was
protected from removal on any grounds
within the discretion OF capriee-os his SUI
perior officer. Until the order of President
Mckinley Of July, 1897, was signed the
power of removal was practically unre-
stricted. This has been shown repeatedly
in the public press and on tho floor of Com
Sress. 1t should hardly require repetition.
It has been shown quite as clearly that
the friction and delay to which reference
has been made was due for the most part
to outright opposition to the law on the
part Of officers whose duty 1t was to aid In
Its enforcement Il this were to be taken as