The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-15
GILMAN NOW PRESIDENT
SUCCEEDS SEIZURE AS HEAD OF THE
CIvIL-sERvICE LEAGUE.
Usual Set of "scoId- Resolutions
Adopted-President Mcxin-
Icy's Action Criticized.

NEW YORK, Dec. 14.-The twentieth
annual meeting of the National Civil Serv-
ice Reform League was continued to-day.
Carl Schurz presided. Charles j. Bona
parte, chairman of the executive commit
tee, presented the report of that body,
which was adopted. Secretary McAneny
read, in executive session, the report OF
the investigating committee on violations
of the civil service law. 1t was announced
that some OF the revelations made were
such as to show condition of affairs very
much more serious than is believed to be
generally understood by the public or by
most of the members Of the league The
report will be given out for publication
in a few days. The league decided TO
ascertain from its counsel how the enforce
ment of the civil service laws could be
compelled by forcing the Withholding OF
salary payments to officials appointed in
violation of those laws. The executive
committee was instructed to report what
legislation might be necessary to insure
the Withholding of such salaries.
At the afternoon session President Daniel
{. Gilman. of Johns Hopkins University,
was elected president. and resolutions were
adopted expressing regret that Carl Schurz
after eight years of jealous and efficient
service Mr. Schurz responded 10 the
resolutions and assured the league OF
the continuance of his efforts I'm the cause.
He then resigned the chair To j. T. Miller
resolution was adopted in which the
league says
'At the last annual meeting the league
protested against the Presidents order OF
the 18th OF May, 1883, exempting thousands
of places from the classified service and
relaxing the safeguards of the service not
because in
ciple as taking the first backward step. as
encouraging the enemies of the merit sys-
tenn in their attacks and as creating mis-
trust OF the Presidents faithfulness in his
reform pledges, but also because IL was
certain 10 prove injurious TO The service
In its results. The year has shown fhax
the step remains unJustiied I'm principle
as ever, and that il has produced Just the
Injuries TO the service that was feared.
as the representatives of our committee on
various branches OF the service have
proved. The league, therefore. asserts
without hesitancy that the restoration OF
very nearly all the places i'm every branch
OF the service excepted from the classified
list by this deplorable order Is demanded
by the public interest and that the order
itself should be substantially revoked"
The resolution commends the action OF
the Philippine commission in establishing
civil service I'm the islands: scores the
Civil-service Commission for refusing ac-
cess to its records; says the league does
not countenance any tenure of office other
than during the continuance OF merit and
fitness. and disclaims any advocacy OF
civil service pensions a a part Of the merit
system, which system does not contcm-
plate such pensions any more than did the
system of appointment and removal by
favor prevailing before the merit system
was introduced
The resolutions call on the President 10
dismiss any federal officer who has failed
to obey in letter and spirit the civii-seryfce
law and also demand the effective prosecr-
ton of all who have violated its provisions.
Strong protest * made against the practice
of allowing United States senators 10 dis
tribute the patronage OF the States they
represent. and the league puts itself on
record against the veteran preference hill
now before Congress. Test of character
and fitness TO men named Indian
agents Is insisted on. and the resolutions
close with an expression OF feeling that
enlightened public opinion will effect the
final extension OF the rserit system 10 an
branches OF the national. state ard mum +
nal governments.