The National tribune., 1906-07-26

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
as appointments- and removals are
claimed to have been made with regard
more to which faction the employe be-
ionged than to any qualifications the
applicant might possess.
Some time ago. at the request Of the
President. Commissioner Greene. OF the
Civil Service Commission. visited the
Western District OF North Carolina and
made q careful examination of condi-
lions there and OF the personnel OF the
Internal Revenue force. Upon his re-
turn he reported In favor Of taking the
matter out Of politics and basing APP
pointments and promotions upon merit
exclusively. Instructions were given
| orders were at once issued to the Col
lector not to make appointments or re-
movals on political grounds.
Meanwhile the trouble in the other
district continued to grow. Recently
| one of the officials Of the Commission
was sent into that territory to make an
investigation. His report has not YET
been formally submitted, but it Is un.
derstood 1t will be in line with the pre-
vious recommendations Of Commission.
| er Greene.
There are Sc Collection Districts in
| the United States, and in each Of them
conditions frequently arise that c, 4se
the Administration annoyance. Espe.
| cially Is this said to be true In South.
ern districts. in States solidly Demo.
| cratic. where the Collectors and theil
subordinates constitute the Republican
machine Of the State. This naturall,
results In friction between the faction
| that Is In Office. and which almost In
| Variably uses the office as a means to
perpetuate their political power.
The Civil Service Commissioners ad-
| vance the argument that IL these Col.
lectors Of Internal Revenue were shorn
of their power there would not only be
| better administration OF the affairs OF
their Office. but that harmony between
all elements would be restored and bet
ter government and better citizenship
| would result. Under existing condi.
| tons this oficeholder Is the political
boss Of the territory under his control
debating not only the men who shall
AL all the Federal offices. but naming
the delegates to State and National
Conventions, without giving the rank
and file an opportunity to have q voice
In affairs, all of which the Commission
ers. when they talk privately. say is moi
conducive to the best order OF things.
Under these 8S Collectors of Internal
Revenue there are 996 Deputies. 1t /.
not the intention to disturb these men,
on the theory that the Chief, charged
with the duty OF administering the Of
fee, and under bond to the Government
for the faithful performance OF his du-
ties. Is entitled to the personal selection
of those officials Immediately under
~ To-, 4. 80
confidence and trust. These Deputies
frequently are placed in charge. OF the
Office. and being the personal represen-
tatives Of the Collector, would, as is the
Collector himself. be exempt from the
Civil Service law.
Passing down the line in the grade OF
employees, however. there are In the
Held force OF the Internal Revenue Blu
reau 1874 clerks. II messengers or jani-
tors. 10 dfstillery surveyors. - revenue
agents; GAG gaugers. at not to exceed IS
day; 122 stOrekeepers. at not to ex-
coed 81 day. and 2.011 storekeeper-
gangers. who are paid from 81 to IS a
day. according to the class OF work as
signed them.
President Roosevelt has ordered the
Civil Service Commission to prepare an
order placing I'm the Civil Service all the
employees OF the internal Revenue In
ciuded In the Western District Of North
Carolina. with the exception Of the Col
lector and his Deputy It il probable
that like order will be issued with
regard to the Eastern District, where
the conditions are similar. Politicians
throughout the country are now won
dering whether this Is the forerunner OF
Presidential orders that will result In
putting all employees OF the Internal
Revenue Service under the classified
service. It IL known that the Civil Ser
vice Commission Is favorable to this ex-
tension. and II the President accepts
his associates there will be no more ap-
pOintments or removals In connection
with this great revenue collection
agency based on political favoritism.
Mrs. c.. C. Augur. widow OF Gen
Augur. died at Evanston, Ill.,. July 18
and was buried at Arlington July Il.
Gustavus Flowers was one Of the ap-
pOintees OF the late Senator German
and for Is years had been Postmaster
in his town OF Nanjemoy. Md. His
father had been Postmaster there be-
fore him for so years. Sixteen years
ago he was appointed night Waterman
in the State. War and Navy Building
dnu ScIFCu very faithfully Until ldSl
week, when, having reached the age oi
So, he was discharged as superannuat-
ed. The blow broke his heart, ana he
died within a few days.
The Department OF Agriculture 4:
taking a hand In the fight against ty-
phoid In Washington. 1t believes that
II Is spread by flies, and experts from
| the Department are now in consulta-
| ton with the District Commissioners
with reference to the better cleaning up
OF the city. especially the stables, so az
to diminish the fly nuisance.
Representative r. B. Fulkerson, OF
Missouri. leaps into fame in a most un-
expected way. He was q whistler OF
local repute. and now his talent has
gained National reputation Last Sprins
| when Senator Warner came to Wash
fngton there was a special meeting OF
| the Missouri colony In Washington a,
Carroll Hall In his honor. The pro.
gram had been made up that all the
new Republican members from the
State should be called upon for an i'm
promptu speech. and. OF course. the
praises Of old Missouri were sounded &c
the skies. When It came Fulkerson's
turn there seemed as IL there was moth
ing left for him to say, and some one
suggested that he give an exhibition OF
his talent as whistler which he did r.