The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-21
THE RECORDS WITHHELD.
Protest From the National Civil
Service Reform League.


A special committee of the National
Civil Service Reform League. consisting
OF Edward Cary, Charles J. Bonaparte.
and Frederick L. Siddons, has given out
for publication letter which the com
mittee sent the Civil Service Commission.
protesting against what the committee
claims is a restriction on its rights to
examine the records of the Commission.
The letter OF the special committee states
that the secretary of the league. George
McAneDy. on the 23d of last July request
ed permission for a representative OF the
National Civil Service Reform League u
examine such records of the Civil Service
Commission as would show:
az The number If persons appointed
from eligible list, to competitive posi-
tions in the several executive depart
ments and Offices during the period from
May %, 1889. to December 81, 1889.
t2) The number of persons appointed
under temporary certificates to competi-
tive positions during the same period
(3) The number of persons appointed
to excepted positions not subject to nom
competitive examination during he same
period
(4) The names of persons holding posi-
lions in the internal revenue aud Gus
toms services excepting stcrekeepers
and gaugers) who have been appointed
since May 30, 1889. or who were apps int
ed prior to that date, and examined after
it, showing in each case (at the date of
appointment or nomination (bj the date
where erterej-of the request OF the
department for examination. (c) the date
of examination, and Id the rating re-
ceived in percentage
AT the same time" the letter con-
tinues, Mr. McAneny further requested,
on behalf of the league. that its represen-
tative might be permitted to ascertain
whether six specified persons were still
in the customs service; il not, at what
dates they were separated therefrom'
ION November 2. preceding this request,
you had informed the league that its
agents would be allowed limited access
to your records. including such as would
show. inter ala:
ID Figures and statistics relative to
the operation of the civil service act and
rules as derived from the periodical re-
ports of appointing officers.
:" '(2) The names of persons appointed.
promoted or transferred to, or reiustated
in, or removed or resigned from positions
III the CldS5lIleu SERVICE
The letter quotes Civil Service Commits
sioners Lyman, Roosevelt. and Thompson
in their eighth annual report. in which
they speak of the necessity for publicity
in matters concerning the Government,
and continues:
Investigations made by the league into
the immediate effects of the Presidents
order of May 30, 1899. which was the first
act of any President since the enactment
of the civil service law whereby the APP
plication of the merit system to the Fed
eral service was sensibly curtailed. led on
June 10, 1899. to the discovery that ma
jority of the present Commission appeared
to dissent from the views thus expressed
by Messrs. Lyman. Roosevelt. and Thomp-
son, and that the Commission, as well IS
the President, had seemingly adopted a
new policy. c
Whatever may have been the leagues
regret at this change in the Commissions
course, it adapted its aetion to the views
expressed in the Commissions letter of
November 2. above quoted. The Informal
ton for which it subsequently asked, from
time to time was precisely such as the
Commission had then announced itself
ready to afford: moreover, in obtaining
this information, it was careful to guard
against imposing any expense on the Gov
eminent or interfering in any wise with
the current work of the Office. On July
% it requested leave to ascertain. at its
own cost. from the very records men
tiored in the Commissions letter of No
vember 2. certain facts which were evil
IDENTIFY calculated to shed light upon the
operation of the civil service act and
rules since the Presidents order OF May
90. 1899. But this request, after a long
delay. has been finally refused. and, con-
sequently. at a joint meeting of the
league. we were directed to lay before you
and the public appropriate representations
respecting this REFUSAL
The Commission is now at work on a
reply to the letter from Messrs. Cary.
Bonaparte. and Siddons. and in a day or
two it will be ready. AS the letter from
the special committee of the league was
made public before Its receipt by the
Commission. the Commission will do
likewise and give their letter to the press
when finished.