The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-10
M,KIYLEY.s CIVIL SERVICE ORDER.
Secretary Gage Answers the Criticisms of the
National Reform LeaRne.

WAsHINoToN June 0-Secretaty Gage, in an
interview to-day answers the criticisms OF the
Presidents recent civil service order That
order. he said. was being condemned by two
classes Of critics. one composed OF those who
macously misrcpresented the changes made.
who made false interpretations, having basis
only in their wish to find something in the
action OF the President to condemn and who be-
rated the Administration for acts not done and
never contemplated. On the other hand there
were some honest critics who failed rightly to
analyze the changes made and who did not
clearly comprehend all the practical questions
OF adm Illustration. and they had honestly be-
lieved that a backward step had been taken
with the merit system.
1T Is unfortunate for the cause of civil SER
vice." he continued. that such an advocate of
the extension Of the merit system us the Ma
tonal Civil Service Reform League ought to
be should array itself squarely among this
first class of critics. and by objectionable mis-
representation and misstatements, having no
foundation unless it be the wish Of tho writer's
to present a situation that could he criticised.
has set itself quite outside OF the list OF careful
and honest critics
THE Civil Service Reform League has issued
an address to the public, containing an indict
ment OF five brief counts and n column OF In
vective and in neither the indictment nor the
general criticism Is there intelligent comrre-
hcnsion OF the question displayed. In this in
dictment they say. for instance. that the new
order permits the permanent employment OF
emergency purposes during the course, OF the
war with Spain. thus furnishing Il standing list
be- iIe2 Witho1 at tests tV Of fitness ''''' may
This is serious charge 10 bring against
the President Of the United States And i it
that his executive order had been framed with
II view to providing places for political friends
of the Admini stratlon. Criticism Of SUCH step
the statement of the league Is absolutely false.
There thS GGSef smh
plated ma king such PROVISION Tor bringing
into the classified service the temporary en-
The thing which the President has done is
to permit the heads of departments to make
the classified service heretofore made with
the sanction OF the Civil Service Commission.
and because the commission had been unable
or has neglected to furnish an eligible register
from which appointments could DO made.
There have been instances where such
Temporary appointments have been renewed
from month to month for from two to
three years wit hOut any effective movement on
n9 part Of Of hT rS@ which to IN the
places The recommendation to make perma-
nent these TEMPORARY Apprentices IN the DIS;
With the y Treasury DEPARTMENT. and I SPEAK
with absolute knowledge when l say that 1t
Il
mon sense Administrations. and not at the re,
quest OF any seeker for PLACES. Had the CIVIL
Service Commission supplied the eligibles
there would have been no occasion for such
rule, and its application Is confined solely to
these cases that have markedthe commissions
neglect or inability. Ga
THE statement which tho Civil Service
League makes that these temporary arpolnt-
ments have been made without examination is
untrue. 1t has been the rule in the Treasury
Department to make no temporary appoint
ments without a careful test of the fitness Of
the candidate.
With regard TO the main objection to the
order raised by honest critics, that the order
was back ward step in placing large number
Of places in the executed list. Secretary Gage
says the greater number OF such positions
were under the War Department. where the
mechanical employees were placed under the
registration system. This system had been in
operation for years in the Navy department
with the sanction OF the Civil Service Commits
sion. and was not for the benefit OF politicians
The other positions removed from the CLASH
fled service. he contends. were made in the in
terest of good administration and were not
letting down Of the bars.