New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-05
TIE TAX DEPUTIES NOT EXEMPT.

TIE TAX DEPUTIES NOT EXEMPT
The refusal 90 Che state Civil Service Commits
sion 10 an,rovo tho action Of the local commits
SION uniting fbp deurtv tax commissioners in
the exempt class is cause for great satisfac-
ton. Mayor Mcclellan by basing his sanction
OF irat attempted proceeding on legal grounds.
protected himself iu q measure against the
accusation that ne was solcit0us 20 procure ad-
ditional uatronaca for a Tammany administra-
ton: but il would DO absurd 10 pretend that the
failure o. the scheme is not a serious disap-
pointment 10 the organization leaders. Within
a week or two after tho return Of Tammany
10 power they were openly lamenting the scar
city OF places at their disposal and they have
been much embarrassed ever since by their IN
ability 10 satisfy the Demands OF those 10 whom
they made profuse and glitterinr promises dur
ing the campaign The sixty deputy commits
sionerships would have been an exceedingly
convenient resource in their perplexity. being
nice. clean jobs. worth Just about the sum
which has been officially mentioned as partic-
ulsrly serviceable 10 the machine.
But the value OF the State commissions ad-
verse decision Is not 10 be measured by the
narrow consideration Of Tammany's chagrin.
IL makes comparatively little difference 10 the
public whether the powers that be have a few
more or n few less places AT their disposal but
& is immensely important that the men on
whose judgment and character valuations and
assessments depend should secure their appoint
ments by methods aflOrdlng a reasonable guar
antee OF competency and be encouraged 20 rem
der faithful service as the best means Of re-
tanning them. II was supposed that the pro-
vision OF the constitution requiring administra-
tive positions IN the Civil Service 70 be filed
through competitive tests would settle all such
questions as this. but decisions OF the Court OF
Appeals have so far modified the assumed force
OF that command that IN this case as in other
analogous cases. ii has not been safe TO rely
upon the natural Interpretation Of its meaning
Fortunately the State Commission has exer-
csed its authority in a manner confOrmable TO
reason and the public interests.
At the hearing which preceded the commits
Sons action yesterday the arguments for keep
ing the deputies In the competitive class were
convincingly SCI forth in behalf Of the trustees
Of tho City Club. II is imperative that the
men 10 whom is committed the delicate duty Of
aIIiraising property for taxation and practical
~ fixing the proportionate burden which indi-
Fiduals must bear for public purposes should
be- put as far as possible beyond the reach OF
political influences. To state that proposition
IL 10 prove H. There mas been no serious efrorr
&c establish the unftness OF the present In
cumbcnts or 10 show that the system works
badly The public welfare has been left out OF
account in the endeavor 10 smooth the course
OF Tammany government But 81" as the CITY
Club memorial says. 1T be claimed that fho
examinations as at PRESENT conducted do nor
produce good results. both the public interests
ind the constitutional requirements xyili N
satisfied by improving the character Of the ex
srninations, not by delivering 10 the uncer