New-York tribune., 1907-11-09

as merely one more example Of a man put in
Office by a political organization frankly
acknowledging his Indebtedness to that organi-
zation and openly conceding that it is his inten-
tion to comply with their desires in making
appointments which he calls his own" Mr..
Waldo declared that with the commission ap-
pointed by Mayor Reyburn the administration
Of the Civil Service provisions of the BUllitt
bill, which when Rolla Dance was secretary
Of the Civil Service Board was farce, has
been elevated TO the dignity of a comedy. Mr.
Waldo spoke Of the brief period between the
incmmbency of Dance and the present commits
sion as a time when the law was administered
by men who were inteliigently faithful 10 their
trust. He added
In the transactions of the board Of which Fola
Dance was secretary the public had no confdence
whatever. In nine months or ms adIIllnlsSLt -
examinations in lne months OF me K kitef-f0Ss 9o
regime. which Immediately To-loWec o,gg PEI @ I72l7 @
aminations the case is similar. The difference
concretely illustrates the change in the attitude o.
the public from a suspicious timorOusness under
the old regime OF exclusive and impenetrable Sc
dom and fairness Of the examinations as conducted
There has been d retrograde swing Of the pendu.
Iqm Tece1Jy; Ihe city Ras 90 lost tne SeTceS 1 "a
proper Civil Service basis, and kept them there
q Them: Mayor Reyburn has effected a political
removal OF the other The commissioners at 5re 51
10 political Influences They have reverted 10 Rola
goes on h tR once Etboush the act o. March
1865 specifically provides that the records OF the
sonGrs have Construed the act So Inreasonabiy as
to hold that, under the act. any and all persons
may ne. and hereby excluded from access to
tneir archives. In ccnsequence. the ReIorIn Asse-
cation has had 10 bring manda.mus proceedings
regard 70 appointments and discharges. The more
Important appointments IN Philadelphia invarIa-
contractor politicians who in cahoot'' to dom
mate affairs at City Hail
The last paper on the programme was on The
Prospect for Civil Service Reform in Michigan"
by Professor John A. Fairlie of the University
Of Michigan
At a dinner tonight the principal speakers
were Richard Watson Glider. of New York; At
torney General Bonaparte and William Dudley
Foulke, of Richmond. Ind
In his opening remarks at the dinner Ansley
Wilcox referred to President Roosevelt as being
among the first soldiers for Civil Service reform.
He also praised Governor Hughes for having
thrilled the league members yesterday by his
testimony for the merit system. Attorney Cen
eral Bonaparte was introduced as the prophet
Of the reform. He said he had attended nearly
all Thea National League meetings since the
first one was held. twenty-six years ago
Il have seen it grow from a very small begin
ming" said he. until the idea has become d
power in cur national life 7 have seen the
cause which the league advocates grow from a
subject of derision by practical politicians TO a
force which all parties must count on
Six of the nine members Of President Roose-
velt's Cabinet have been connected with the
Civil Service Reform Association, and there is
not who is not friendly to st"
Mr. Bonaparte predicted that twenty-six
years hence there would be no need Of annua!
meetings Of the league If the same progress of
the cause were made as In the last twenty-six
years.
THE essence of Civil Service reform" said
the Attorney General lis that the right man
shall get the place, and that he should get it
because he is the right man and not because Of
any other consideration.
When this has been lived up to it VIII not
be necessary for orators TO address meetings
on the need of Civil Service reform"