The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-14
LETTERS TO EDITOR

LETTERS TO EDITOR. To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Within the past month I have noticed
 several long articles in your columns, | under Washington date lines, deploring
 the lack of interest and desire for place in
 the civil service positions by southern democrats. It appears that the civil ser-
 vice commission inspired the articles and
 that the commission is concerned over the
 failure of southerners to stand the ex-
 aminations for positions in the various de- partments. From the northern point of view, doubtless, this indifference is due to
 'illiteracy,' ''laziness" and general
 southern indolence." The commission
 states, at least by inference, that the
 southern democrat stands just the same
 chance that the northern republican does when the position sought is under the
 classified civil service. To one who knows
 the ins and outs of this much-lauded civil
 service farce the articles are ridiculously
 dishonest.
 Squeezing Process Commences.
 Immediately following the first election
 of Mckinley the sqeezing process com
 menced; democrats who had secured posi-
 tions by civil service examination and
 had been advanced on merit, were reduced
 flor the good of the service" Say a dem
 ocrat with family to support was in the
 treasury department drawing a salary of
 $500 per year; it would be impolitic to
 say, Here, MT. Southerner, a republican
 wants your place, you must get out. We
 want to appoint a man from Ohio to please Senator Foraker." That would not 1 be diplomacy and the "bouncer" might | be censured. The regulation method Is to | reduce the southerner for 'incompe- | tency" cut him down to $500 per year; if this does not secure the desired resig- nation make another cut to $400. He will usually give up after an appeal to the civil service commission, provided he is green enough to make the nonsensical ap- | peal. It is not of record that the com | mission ever secured the reappointment or | promotion of anyone removed or reduced | in the government service. The commits
 sion Is absolutely worthless any way it is considered.
 Example From the Seventh. I have in mind man from Congress-
 man Clayton's district who was a clerk in the pension department at a salary of
 s160O he had held the position for many
 years owned a home in Washington and
 had quite family. His superior officer
 sent for him one day, shortly after the in-
 duction of the republican administration
 and congratulated him upon his promotion
 to the position of special field examiner.
 with headquarters in St. Louis. The clerk thanked the officer for the honor of the
 promotion, but stated that his home and family being in Washington and that be- ing thoroughly conversant with his pres
 ent duties, he preferred to remain at his
 desk. His superior officer professed to be much surprised at his stand and pictured the increased pay, the allowance of a per
 diem for expenses etc., and insisted upon
 his acceptance, saying that the depart ment needed the services of It's best men in the field positions. The position to which he was to be transferred was not In the civil service. and the Alabamian was suspicious. The matter went along
 until an agreement was finally made that the clerk was to go to St. Louis on special detail and was to be reinstated to his old position as soon as the emergency was passed. The Alabamian left for his post of duty and the next day his appoint ment as special field examiner reached him, with directions that he take the oath of office.
 He replied, stating the agreement for | his early return to his desk in the de- | partment. Upon receipt of this reply a | letter was sent directing that he take l the oath of office immediately, and that | his failure so to do would be construed | as insubordination and cause for re- | moval. Under this threat the Alabamian | took the oath and forwarded the papers | to Washington. Within two weeks he re- l ceived a letter. saying ts7at upon exam | nation 1t was found that the department | had more field examiners than the ser vice required; that 1t was deemed just | that the older examiners should be given | preference, and that, as he was the most I recent appointee, an order had been is- | sued dispensing with his services and | stopping his pay The Alabamian went to | Washington and stated the outrageous | treatment to Congressman Clayton, who l accompanied him to see the civil service l commissioners. They took all the evi- | dence in the case, swore 1t was a damn | able outrage and that the Alabamian l should be reinstated. The matter was car | ried to the secretary of the interior, who agreed with the commission that a great wrong had been done, but said, The Ala l abamian's place has been filled by the ap- | pointment of a Pennsylvania man; he is | innocent has done no wrong, and we | can't do anything" This ended the mat l ter.
 1 Issued Transfer Order.
 | President Mckinley issued an order that | any man in any place under the civil | service could be transferred to any other
 civil service position without further ex- animation. Under this ruling one can take | the examination for elevator man in the l government building in Birmingham, and. | If he passes. can be immediately trans ferred and made examiner of accounts | or inspector of customs. This ruling has | been the means of thousands of unfit and | unworthy appointments. The practice has 1 never been objected to by the civil service l commission.
 Within few months after McKinley's l inauguration he appointed thirty-six post office inspectors on the emergency clause | in the civil service laws. which permits ] the appointment of emergency men for