The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-16
Not Worth Discussing.

Through the politeness OF the Independent
We have received advance proofs Of an
article written for that paper by Mr.. GAGE
the Secretary OF the Treasury, in reply to
criticisms upon him made by the civil Ser
vice Reform League" and permission TO
publish the article is kindly accorded to
us Mr.. CAGES letter however, is long,
and the subject OF which 1t treats is not
OF sufficient Importance to Justify us In
burdening the patience OF our readers
with 1t.
Not long ago the President, at the advice
OF Mr. GAGE and the rest OF his Cabinet
excepted certain officers OF the civil SER
vice from competitive examinations, as he
had unouestionable authority under the
law to do and as he ought to have done II
IN his opinion the interest OF the public SER
vice SO required. lie proceeded In his right
full discretion.
The different departments had found by
experience that the competitive method OF
selection In the cases OF some OF their
subordnates did not work satisfactorily
but interfered with the proper and effective
discharge OF the public business. Accord
ingly, certain officers who had been put by
Mr.. CLEVELAND on the liht subject to COM
petitive examination as he was about to
retire from Office were removed from it.
1t was simply matter Of routine as to
which the President and his advisers were
obviously those best qualified to judge. and
II had no other Importance.
or course, the Civil Service Reform
League" made up OF philosophers whose
tremendous minds recognize no other pub
lie question as comparable with the system
OF competitive examinations in the momen-
tousness OF its Importance, held the Presi-
dent guilty OF the commission Of deadly
moral and political sin in thus administer
ing the details OF government. by authority
of law, in a manner which commended itself
TO his judgment and to that OF his adj
viscrs, actually acquainted with the facts,
MS best adapted to serve the public inter-
csts. II he had been guilty Of a tiagrantly
impeachable offence these grotesque civil
service reformers could not have been more
Mortified
Mr. Secretary GAGE in his article for the
Independent points out specifically that
the changes in tho Treasury service from
The competitive list We're requisite for the
efficiency Of the department and in strict
accordance with law. 1t was unnecessary
for him thus to explain. That could be as
surned and was assumed by everybody ex-
cept the civil service reform fanatics who
imagine that they know more about his
business than he does himself.
Competitive examinations not being the
dvinely appointed road to salvation nor
the absolutely obligatory law of right-do-
ing politically, it is possible under the law
for larger minds than those OF the fanatical
civil Service Reform League" to dis
regard them without mortal sin in in
stances where they interfere with the
proper prosecution OF the business Of the
Government
The subject discussed in Mr.. CAGES
letter Is without concern except for petty
spirits filed up with one small subject Of
thought 1t is not worth talking about so
long rs there is not an actual dearth of
subjects really worthy of consideration.