The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-05-27
PRESENT DAYDEMOCRACYVs
TALEFF|C|ENCY
Shocking Exhibition Is Made BY the
Wilson Administration.

WASHINGTON. D. c., May 25-(Special
Correspondence The chief aim of the
Wilson administration has been the
pursuit of the principle enunciated by
the premier of the administration, "to
find places for deserving Democrats,
with reckless disregard for the efficiency
of the service.
At the time of his nomination, Presi-
dent Wilson was vice-president of the
National Civil Service League. In re-
signing, as he very properly did on be-
ing nominated for President, he stated
that it did not indicate any lack of in
terest in the cause. There was expect
ed from him, therefore, full perform
ance of what his previous life and pro-
fessions had promised
There has, however, been great disap-
pointment in this respect, and a large
number of experienced, we'll trained and
efficient officials and employees in the
government service, both in and out of
the competitive civil service, have been
removed or denoted to make places for
inexperienced Democrats.
For years deputy collectors of Internal
Revenue and deputy United States
Marshals had been under the protection
of the civil service rules, this policy re-
sulting in building up an efficient and
experienced service, In one of the first
appropriation bills passed by Congress
under this administration, a rider"
was inserted to the effect that deputy
collectors of Internal Revenue and office
deputy United States Marshals who
may be required to give bond" could be
appointed without reference to the civil
service regulations. Approximately
$50 office deputy marshals and 1900
deputy collectors of Internal Revenue
were thus thrown into the spoils system.
Make the cases of United States
District Attorneys and United States
Marshals. Under the law they are ap-
pointed for terms of four years and
heretofore these officials have been al
lowed to serve out their terms without
reference to change in the admnistra-
ton. But not so under the Democratic
party. AS fast as appointments salts
factory to the Democratic bosses in the
several states could be determined upon,
the designations of United States
Marshals and District Attorneys have
been called for, frequently by telegraph,
without regard to the length of time re-
manning for them to serve under their
four-Year commissions. Any Marshal
or District Attorney who called for an
explanation was summariy removed.
This was done, of course that the ad-
ministration might as soon as possible
have an office-holding class around
which to build an organization for the
campaign of 1916.
Another illustration of the manner in
which efficiency has been ruthlessly
sacrificed is found in the Federal Pen
itentiary service, where, if anywhere,
the need for keeping trained and ex-
perienced men in the service should be
of greater Importance than the mere
question of finding positions with which
to pay political debts.
The former warden of the peniten-
titary at Leavenworth, Kansas, was
the best informed man on prison
matters in the United States, having
had number of years of previous ex-
perlence with state penal and reforma-
tory institutions and as chief of police
in one of the largest cities of the
country. His resignation was promptly
called for by the Wilson administration.
Later, his deputy was removed that an
other political appointment might be
made.
The administration then removed the
Superintendent of Prisons at Washing
ton, notwithstanding the position was
under the protection of the civil service
regulations. The incumbent was a
man who had grown up with the service
and whose successful practical expert
ence in prison and parole work covered
a period of many years. This import
ant office was filled, under an Executive
order issued by the President waving
the civil service rules, by contractor
and builder of apartment houses in
Washington, man without experience
with penal institutions or the handling
of criminals.
The penitentiary at Atlanta, Ca,
was not to escape the search of the
office seeker, and the warden of that
institution, man who had served
efficiently for many years, was recent
ly removed. and man heretofore I'M
known in prison matters was appointed
for this important work.
Notwithstanding his former connec-
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