New-York tribune., 1902-02-09
A NIGHT OF PUBLIC FEASTS.
SHEPARD AT NIXON NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WILCOX
SPEAKS FOR FREER CIVIL SERVICE LAWS
WILCOX FOR FREER LAW.
SAYS REFORM IS HAMPERED BY PRO
TECTED TAS1MANY MEN IN OFFICE.

Charles X. Lexow and Park Commissioner
William r Wilcox were the guests Of honor
last night at a dinner at the Marlborough given
by about two hundred and twenty-five RepubM-
cans, nearly all Of whom are actively identified
with the organization in the XxIId Assembly
District.
Lewis II. White chairman OF the dinner
committee. and presided. Brief speeches were
made by Charles x. Lexow. the district leader
Commissioner Wilcox, Lemuel E. Quigg. Con-
gressman Lessler. Robert c. Morris. president
OF the Republican County Committee: Interna!
Revenue Collector Treat, William II. Ten Eyck
and Dock Commissioner Hawkes.
Mr. Lexow urged support of the Low admin
jstration. He said that it was ungenerous for
good Republicans to criticise an administration
that had been in Office only five weeks. He
said thai every Republican ought TO be willing
20 give the Mayor a chance. and that many
things that seemed to be grievous ills at this
time would appear trivial IN the light OF subse-
Quent events
Park Commissioner Wilcox paid tribute 10
the loyalty that Mr.. LeSow had shown to the
a party that is false to its fundamental pro
fessions, said he, will go down 10 defeat.
have been met with the statement that party
promises count for nothing. Speaking for my
self. ! unwilling 10 stand on any other
platform than the Republican platform, and the
Republican party pledged itself TO a non-part-
form I must stand. and believe that the Re
pubiicars Of the XKIId District will stand with
Sne. / am pledged TO develop the small park
system OF the city. If 1 am enabled to raise one
notch higher the efficiency OF the park system
far a II concerns the wants Of the people, I
shall feel that my administration is not in
vain
Commissioner Wilcox then referred to the
question OF patronage which he termed ~the
burning question brought home TO Leader
LeXow nineteen hours out of every twenty
four"
IF you will hear in mind said the Commits
sioneT. that We administrative officers, Il
Will clear the atmosphere and help all to un-
derstand the situation. The Civil Service laws
were passed by a Republican legislature and
signed by A Republican Governor The law says
10 me: You can't a man except for in
capacity wrongdOlng for lack OF work.
After you remove him, If you wish 10 appoint
any one you must take him from the Civil Ser
vice waiting list The heads OF departments at
all times should have the power Of removal.
would not tear down all the regulations of the
Civil Service but do say the Civil Service laws
should not be used by gang Of political pirates
while the city is in the charge of the generals of
the reform administra ton. The city depart
ments are honeycombed with Tammany men.
placed there to large extent in violation Of the
Civil Service laws Something should be done
by those who control the organic law of the
State 10 help us clean the Augean stables. In
der the cloak OF what believe in general to be
q fairly good Civil Service law, our departments
those opposed 10 the principle for which we
fought last November Let US have fair
chance That is what have not got under
present conditions
Letters OF regret were received from President
Roosevelt and Governor Odell