New-York tribune., 1906-05-10
CIVIL SERVICE DINNER.
YEARS WORK REVIEWED.
Reform Association Reports Steady
Progress IN State and Country.


.,.fation was held last night at the Hotel AS
- prior to the banquet a short business meeting
= Reld AT which William O. Low presided Sec
.,v-, Elliot II. Goodwin read the report OF the
,.,,tive committee signed BY Jacob Z. Miller,
--s,-fnsn of that committee.
-, Venert showed that last year marked by
,snuod progress for civil service reform, both in
- country at large and IN New York state and
-. y7eserrlng to the work done by the New York
s.-,s commission the report said in part:
-, N.vr York State Commission has conducted a
-1ber of important investigations which nave re-
Its5 An materially strengt hening the service local
4 IN addition i mas tg ti, ''sS sTeropfiSns froo
t-.fiffve examinations, has restored 20 the conf
Sstlive class muDf 10 Governor HigEins's rec
t-sr.snda9on, has brought four adoiuohaA couhties
rthin i1s ~ Of the Governors ambiguous policy IN
retaining in ONCE Tor nne 5s sfsta csfites
Benestg - ie5-z-nz political assessments in viola
aosussSa ,9s % civi Service law and permitting him.
ElLnOu ufs,vj - service Commission through court
pToeeeo--ssiissor's powers we believe that, in the
s 1bis case viii be fully aired ano thas Lne t54S
sr s, nay be counted on 10 take ana acuOI ~
En- - Ts- toward putting an end 70 the Gesplca1ie
practice Of e1torng ,,I5er % impIied threat Of de-
gSst-5S1 shem OF their means OF hyellnoe9Sgi;; 90; ,
re odH%Rs9son1r inst - 1r55r5Ree4t % 5Re affer the compile
~. ~ ne investigation BY the state CoInnlisslOL
yt l5r Mcclellan In view Of our former criLlclsIn
y re Municipal Commission We are paIuctu S
CO. st51aise item our assistance in continuing It. -
re ,ess n the granting OF transfers and in
sSe eppontnent OK lahorers under epeclal tlIles
Issufksri5ed ~ BY the law or rules and attention is
~sesler as foremen simply TO get employment as
Is1reTa ahead of applicants higher up the lists.
Tss records OF efficiency. as kept in the Municipal
Commission itself and as filed by most OF the de-
rerfmente are pronounced farcical The report
s1ncIldes with recognition Of the difficulties con-
s-e1 ~ t5eir eforts to correct abuses for which
iher predecessors were responsible
5Te fsr Tescng and important for the CITY seT
vice than has been popularity supposed. On jan
lie position by strong political influence. but Of
Ehose shertcomlngs as secretary me commission
psient man appointed in his place. Under prac-
proveTnents have been made. These can better he
dealt with when we come 10 treat OF the city ser
u years past the newspapers have reported the
collection OF a fixed percentage on salaries from
coRers o. the dominant party. Our Investigations
lead Us 70 believe that these reports have undoubt-
merits have been exempt from this annual tax. but
have varied from II per cent for municipal cam
paigns Il per cent for state campaigns. Despite
On and the Indignation of the employees concerning
undl recently none have been willing TO come
era and well founded belief in the power OF the
political leaders 70 punish them for SO doing
The most prominent oficeholder connected with
this business has been Harry II. Bender the pres
hs hei6 the Office Of treasurer oP the ALBANY CITY
and County Republican committees. which he has
Iepgtstion for his success in collecting campaign
funds: ze formerly held the once Of State Super
intsnoent Of Buildings. ana during his incumbency
he employees Of the Capitol building were regular
present once IN June, 1902 Assessments were col
e9ted iroIn the employees IN his new ONCE in the
Tie conduct Of this case for the association has
been in the hands OF Nelson s. Spencer, Of the
before the commission ana has taken a large share
2 The argument before the Appellate Division and
natter could not have been in better hands For
rs service gratutously given and involving a
considerable sacrifice Of time. Mr.. Spencer deserves
he thanks Of the association.
There have been no changes in the personnel Of
SoInnltlee IS glad TO report the continuance OF
nose cordial relations which have made it pos
sos for the commission and the association to
oIk = harmony for the betterment Of the service
Slonaoy been strengthened, and careful attention
sng the examinations thoroughly practical tests
lae greatest drawback TO successful administra-
tons matter wch e hops the i presgh SsR' dS P92
mission Vin see It's way clear 10 take UP and cor
The most important matters which have arisen
S sSIE.ce 9Sttns Ine year the c4assifca-
Monroe, Onondaga and Westchester, completing
state. the restoration Of number Of county posi
lions T. the competitive class. the continuance Of
the law n cities the Investigation Of the New York
~ ne Ii5iI ana soe 5nvsstgatlon OF the violation
n Albany have already been referred TO-
IN the matter Of legislation at Albany in the last
session the report says:
The most important attacks on the system this
feer were the attempts 10 secure further privi-
sges for veterans and volunteer hrernen IN ap-
sxigt are = hi,arsTcs = @ 5c1 p5eIefences as now
further extension would be serious blunder II
k therefore. gratifying 10 be able 10 reporf fhsf
none o. these measures passed the Iegisiafure
As 70 Civil Service IN this city the report declares
fna- s-e
consulted by the heads Of departments in regard
. the choice OF deputies has been given a siuis-
tef sis1ihcance by some Of the appointments which
ne is credited with debating" It says that some
q ne appointments and removals have been die
oied ny political consideration. regardless Of con-
Aafutioaal requirements. The report cites the ap-
poh'raant Of Michael c. Padden TO water regis
eF as an example II continues:
las slayor has not been the only offender in this
Use of exempt positions Among the apnoint-
sEits mace by Controller Metz 10 helm fha NcC ar
desirTsfio5 T , SS paTlleular attention to the
S3y osy the ex-President Of the Civil Service Com
N-aIses o. oerelicti0n Of duty.
Although declaring that the New York city Com
--1essf has undertaken many reforms the report
hg. l'i' l''iO'
n 9 rrs4l commission is in our opinion. much too lax
- sne exemption Of positions, and thus adding 70
c.@sS oi places which can III practice be treated
80 = po-ltlcal sPoils This class now numbers over
ss.A hundred Each request is treated separately.
ss- me result that there are glaring inconsistent
- ~ ne classification OF the different depart
ss TIE banner department is the Department
y sAeet Cleaning, IN which only two exempt places
Atie secretary.
a following officers were elected:
President. carl schurz; vice-presldents. silas W.
S-lfL d. Willis James, william q Low, Levi p.
-9itofs --iexander z Orr. Theodore Roosevelt,
sela Root Edward NJ. Shepard. Oscar s. StEaus
-e Everett p Wheeler
,7aeHoer OF the executive committee. Jacob F
--ier r Ross Appleton. Henry De Forest Bald