The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-08-18
NOBACKWARDST STEP
THE PRESIDENTS CIVIL SERVICE
ORDER APPROVED.
Federal Commissioners Harlow Declares
1t to Be In Accord with the Spirit of
the Law and Calculated to Improve
the Public Service.

In his recent letter to the presiden;
Of the Civil Service Reform associa-
ton of st. Louis, Mr.. John B. Harlow,
a member of the federal civil-service
commission, upholds the action OF
President Mckinley in removing from
the classified list the positions en-
braced in the order of exemption which
was issued by the president several
weeks ago. So far from disappearing
Of these exemptions Commissioner
Harlow presents reasons which amply
support his view that the notifications
put in force by the presidents order
are for the benefit of the public service
and will result In securing a higher
degree of efficiency than has hereto
fore been possible.
1t clearly appears from Commits
sioner Harlow's presentment of the
case that much of the criticism passed
upon the exemption order of May 20
has been based upon lack of correct
information or upon an con-
ception of the facts on the part of the
critics, and that in issuing his now
famous order, after full and careful
consideration of the subject, and after
a thorough discussion of the matter
with his cabinet officers, President Nc
Kinley has not only not violated the
civil-service law either in letter or in
spirit, but has construed that law
wisely, intelligently and with regard
solely for the best interests of the pub
lie s~arvice.
On this point the closing paragraph
Of Commissioner Harlow's letter is
clear and emphatic. The commissioner
brings prominently into view the fact
that, as amended by the order of May
29, the rules are for the first time the
result of the united discussion of the
president and his entire cabinet, and
are an innovation to that extent, as all
members of the cabinet are thoroughly
conversant with the rules, while in the
past members of the cabinet have
stated that they have never read the
rules and were much surprised to learn
Of some of the provisions in them.
'The present rules are now fully I'M
derstood by the heads of departments,
and l am confident" says Commits
sioner Harlow, that they will be bet
ter Obeyed in the future, not only in
the letter but in the spirit, than any
civil-service rules have been in the
past"
This view of a member Of the civil
service commission may we'll be ac-
cepted as against the unfair and ma
licious criticisms of mugwump stick
lers for the most radical forms of in
depreciation and application in connec
ton with the civil service-interpre-
tations and applications of the law
which the fair test of practical opera
ton has shown to be impracticable,
nonsensical and of actual detriment to
the public service. Commissioner Har-
low is much the better authority on
this subject, for he speaks with knowl- |
edge and experience. So is Secretary
Gage, whose recent statement in the
Washington Star was so convincing as
to bring about an entire change of atti-
tude On the part of so rigid a cham
pion Of strict construction as the Pho
neer Press Of st. Paul. That paper,
an exhaustive review of the case
as presented by Secretary Gage, is
constrained to say:
"The Pioneer Press accepts with en-
tire satisfaction and full confidence in
the honesty and good faith of Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Gage
their assurance that in this order there
has been no letting down of the bars
for political appointments-that they
are in the interest of an honest and
administration of the public
business, and will prove a substantial
benefit to the merit system. That as
surance is equivalent to a guaranty.
The public will have a full opportunity
to see in the actual working OF these
new rules whether this declaration is
true, or whether the doors have been
opened wide for the inroads of the
;poilsmen, as has been charged"
Exactly in line with this sensible
conclusion all unprecedented persons
will stand. 1t was the conclusion in
formed after reading the very
statement Of facts contained in
he interview of ex-Secretary Corne-
ius n. Bliss in the New York Mail and
Express. The conclusion that in Pres
dent McKinley's order of civil-service
exemptions there has been no back
ward step, no letting down of the bars
or the easier entrance of the spoils-
men, is one that the ~level-headed and
air-minded people Of the United States
will promptly accept after a full {
knowledge Of the facts. !