New-York tribune., 1907-11-08
POLITICIANS HARD HIT.
SHARE FOR MCLELLAN.
Hughes ard Bonaparte at CiCH Ser
uice Reform League Meeting.
rBy Telegraph 70 The Tribune J


League, row holding its twenty-seventh annual
meeting here. The convention will be contin-
ued tomorrow.
Many persons prominently Identified with the
movement for Civil Service reform in all parts
Of the country addressed the afternoon session.
and to-night's session of the council was ad-
dressed by Governor Charles E. Hughes and
Charles J. Bonaparte. Attorney General of the
United States Governor Hughes. although in
the city. did not attend the afternoon session.
The evening session was held at Perkins Me
mortal Hall, Young Mems Christian Association
Building, and was largely attended.
Richard Henry Dana read the annual report of
the leagues council and was interrupted repeat
edIy by applause, particularly as regards state
ments that were deemed applicable in Buffalo.
where certain posto1ce and customs house Of
fcials are charged with being political bosses.
For the first time in a number of years."
the report says, I'VE have no extensions of the
Civil Service rules in the national government
10 report nor, on the other hand has any class
OF employees been withdrawn
IN regard TO the suppression OF undue polit-
ical activity among government employees we
note two milestones as We progress. One is the
policy established that no government employe.
even outside the competitive classified service
shall al the same time hold an office in party
organization allow his political work to inter-
fere with his official duties. The other is the
executive order giving the Civil Service Com
mission power TO investigate cases of undue
political activity of employees in the competitive
classified service. Among the employees no po-
litical activity is permitted
SANDERS CASE MENTIONED.
In connection with this the cases of Collin
H. Woodward, Deputy Surveyor of the Port Of
New York; c. Wesley Thomas. Collector of
Philadelphia and Archie Sanders, Collector at
Rochester, are mentioned. Referring to San
ders's case the report says:
This request for Sanders's resignation was
asked for neither by Governor Hughes nor by
any one authorized by him. Mr.. Sanders is still
n his Office and no successor is selected, and
perhaps he may be allowed to remain. but it is
rumored that he is still allowing his political
activities TO interfere with his official duties
If this should prove to be the case his removal
is most desirable"
The report declares that "the whole situation
as 10 Senate-con1rmed officers Is still unsat-
isfactory, and that, paid out Of the public
treasury high government officials they are
really campaign managers of members of Con-
gress and chosen for political and not official
fitness"
The report then highly conmends the prece-
dent established by President Roosevelt in the
appointment of postmaster for New York
City.
Instead of making It a political plum, the
assistant postmaster was promoted to the head
Of The great New York Postof1ce. Why not al
ways promote some one trained in the depart
uent? If the assistant postmaster some
other subordinate is not capable. why not pro-
mote the postmaster Of some neighborng office
who has shown ability?
With such a system as this" the report con-
tinues we could kill several unsavory birds
With one stone. Some of these unsavory birds
putting inexperience at the helm, making
custom houses and postof1ces political head
quarters. forcing subordinates into political
work causing evasions Of Civil Service rules
and giving the country the worst postal de-
partment Of any highly civilized country In the
world. We should have. instead experience
where II would do the most good, and the am
bition of subordnates stimulated by the hope
Of promotion"
ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY COMMENDED.
The policy established by the administration
not 70 make changes in fourth class postmasters
without good cause is also commended as a
step in the right direction The report then
sounds note Of warning against sentimental
or charitable grounds being considered I'm maxi
Ing appointments. IF these special exemptions
admitted where will they end 20 the report
asks. and continues: I'VE have felt obliged to
say this much about the charity cases, eSpe-
cially the President, constant friend of
FORM. has put himself on record as favorns
them, provided there is no trace Of political in
tuence ! the cases"
Special exemptions in the various departments
OF the federal government are too numerous.
the report declares. President Roosevelt
pressed his urgent wish TO diminish the number
Of special exemptions asked for, it adds. but
this request has been more honored in the
breach than the observance.
The report next takes UP the work OF Avery
McIlhenny in trying 10 interest the Southern
states in Civil Service reform. He saw gov
ernors. superintendents of public instruction.
Presidents Of educational institutions and made
addresses. He endeavored to disabuse their
minds Of the popular delusion that none but
Republicans need apply He secured co-opera-
uon from school authorities. new courses are to
be established 70 fit persons for examinations,
and Il is believed that the quotas Of those
states will be nearly filed than in the
past
The remainder Of the report is devoted to
review OF the application OF Civil Service reform
principles in Porto Rico the Philippines the diff
ierent states and the larger cities Of the cOun-
ny. The reorganization OF the Philippine COM
mission into a subordinate administrative
bureau is regarded as a change OF doubtful wis
uon. Most gratifying progress is reported from
ihe Middle West. In the East New Jersey has
oeen OF the most important fields OF op-
eration
Public sentiment has been aroused in New
sefsey as never before" the report declares.
soth parties have a Civil Service plank in their
p~uorms. and the Republican Governor just
eec'ed has advocated the law"