New Britain herald., 1915-01-21
CIVIL SERVICE LAW
 UPHELD BY TAFT
Maay CitIzjaS ' CG Opposition to
 Proposed Amendment.

Hartford, Conn, Jan. 21.-Opposi- tion to the amendment of the present civil service law as outlined by bill introduced in the legislature by Senator Isbell was voiced in no un- certain terms by the members of the civil service reform association and others at hearing held by the judi ciaTy committee, in the house cham Der at the capitol yesterday after noon.
 Upheld by Prof. Taft.
 Professor Willia m H. Taft was un- able to be present but a letter sent by him to President H. w. Far nam of the association. in which he uphc cid the principle of civil service and expressed his hope that the Re- publicans would not make a mistake and destroy the law was read. MT. Taft said that the adoption of civil service merit system was a great step forward in government and politics..
 He told of his practical experience in the operation of such a law in Ohio and in the Philippines and in the national government.
 leNC O1 ld1t Letter.
 He also said in part: "The trouble about progress always is that we are in favor of the strictest kind of re- formation when it does not affect Us. Our sense of morality with other people is the most highly developed sense that we reformers have.
 While in the main provisions of the present act are excellent, that which prevents removal by the heads of depart1n ents except with consent of a commission, think might well be changed. The proper method in working out a merit sys- tenn, is to take away the motive for appointment for personal or political reasons, by providing a list of eligi- bles selected by a suitable examina- ton open to all over which the ap- pointing power has no control and then to give a discretionary power of removal for inefficiency or inconn- potency on the mere certificate of the cad of the office of departm lent. In- ability to fill vacancies on the spells basis will prevent removals for such purpose"
 Proud of State.
 T venture to write to you because l am a citizen of Connecticut and am proud of the state because I am re- publican. In view of the very general criticism of the course of the secre- tary of state, in seeking to use our foreign service as a means of re- Warding deserving dem ocrats' is 1t political wisdom to furnish to tho democrats of Connecticut in the next campaign the defense of the tll- quoque argum ent?" s-I -Gunshannan Opposes Bill.
 The opponents of the bill or of any amendment were given opportunity first to be heard. John Cunshannan, formerly a tuberculosis commission CT, claimed that those in charge of canatOria, ought to have the right to hire and disc Charge employees in order 70 obtain employees who, in the first Tlace were adapted to the particular duties of the positions available, and :n the second to get rid of such em- rloyes who break rules Intentionally or prove to be unfit for the positions. He cited numerous instances where summary action had to be taken With employees and he argued that it was wrong to compel the head of an in Jtitution to wait until the commis sion could get around to sanctioning action or holding examinations to fill -acancies
 Judge John HI. Perry.
 John H. Perry of Southport, who vas senator last session, drew the present law and secured it's passage, aid he was at the hearing out of jus tice to himself AS a member of the state police commission he had be- lieVed with other members that his rorce was exempted from the law, an opinion contrary to that held by the civil service commission, but upheld by the attorney general. He claimed that in passage of the bill in the clos ing hours of the session, "a small part of a man" could have killed the bill a claim which. gave rise to Ques- tiOns being put to the senator as to whether or not this was so, the bill having been sent down from the sen- ate to the house and passed after be- ing read by title after rules had been suspended in order to facilitate busi- ness. MT. Perry said that his recol- lection was that the bill passed both branches without dissent.
 The State Police.
 Judge Perry said that it should not he taken for granted that because the state police were not under the law that he believed in the law on the principle that we need not wor-