The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-09
Mr.. Hunters Rill.

city on the first of July next, the pretext be-
ing the power conferred by the third section of
the Civil and Diplomatic bill, or "HUNrER's
bill'' for the classification of clerks; and We
also learn with regret that the advertisement
thus sent forth is attracting back to our midst
the hordes of office-seekers who had no doubt
given over the chase for appointments as vain
and proftless pursuit. 1t has even been de-
clared 81 some Of these Writers that the Cabi
met had, IN council, determined to give this
effect to the law, by declaring all Offices vacant
in pursuance Of its provisions, and making all
the new appointments from one party only.
What the Administration intend doing we
have no better means o. knowing than have
our readers themselves, and we shall leave
their actions to speak for them; but what the
stipulations of the law in question are may be
more readily ascertained. We quote its words:
From and after the 3Oth of June, 1852 tAs
clerks in the Departments Of the Treasury, War
Navy, the Interior, and the Post Office, shall be
arranged into foe CLASSES, of which class No.
shail receive annual salary of $500 each, class
No. an annual salary of 81 200, class No. ) an
annual salary of 81, 500 each, and class Ne. 4 an
annual salary of 81 800 each"
And the bill further staIes that
''No clerk shall be appointed in either of the
four classes until after he has been examined and
found quslifed, by board, to consist of three ex-
aminers; Of them to be the chief of the bureau
or office into which he Is to be appointed, and the
two others to be selected BY the head of the De-
partment to which the said clerk will be assigned -
The obvious and common-sense interpreta-
tion of these words is that the clerks in the
Departments named, on the 30th Of June, are
to be classiied-that proper classification
cannot be made without an examination, and
that If, in the prosecution of such examination,
it shall be demonstrated that e portion of the
clerks are unworthy OF position in any class,
they must inevitably be dismissed.
In making new appointments party favorit-
ism may not be wholly excluded by this law.
but it is certainly restricted; for an incompe-
tent clerk, however competent he may be as
politician, may no longer contend successfully
with skilful clerk, it matters not how ex-
cePtionable he may be to the Executive officer
by whom the appointment is to be made
But, lest our apprehension of the meaning
of this law may not be correct, we shall look to
the words of one whose authority may not Be
gainsad. On introducing this amendment to
the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill,
Mr.. HUNTER said
81 desire now to offer amendment, which has
been unanimously adopted by the Committee on
Finance, in regard to the classification and organi-
cation of Clerks
He then explained the proposed plan of
classification, and proceeded:
sin addition 70 this, it is provided that no ne,c
cfert shall be appointed until he shall have been
examined" sc.
From this it appears that, except as it be-
comes necessary for the work Of classification.
no examination of the clerks ain the Depart
nents" on the 30th of June was intended by
he bill. Their classification only is command
I'd. The examination was especially designed
or new clerks, and would not, from the word
ng of the bill, be applicable to those now in
'ffice, but for the impossibility of making the
equlsite classification without it, 1t however.
annot but prove salutary, it matters not to
whom 1t is applied, and We are therefore graft
led at witnessing its adoption.
But further, as respects the exercise of pro
criptiye powers under this law Inshe course
t the debate upon it, Mr.. HUNTER said:
'The result of the scheme is that We eoualize
ne salary In each class; we classify all the clerks
n each Department, so that get rid of the eter.
iai applications to increase a clerks salary in or
Ter TO BRING 1t up to sum equal to that of an
'ther. We also get rid of the principle of extra
Allowance and extra emoluments; and believe
We shall thus lay the foundation OF what is essen
9iai 10 the sale administration of this Government
mean CIVIL corps, who shall have the expert
ence, the efficiency, and the ability to enable the
heads of the Departments to administer their re
sPectiye Departments safely and efficiently, with
out which believe that matter who is Presi-
dent, no matter who is the head of the Depart
ment, cannot expect that the affairs of the Gov
eminent will be administered safely and efficient
ly; because, after all, it depends upon the hon
esty, the skill, and the efficiency of the men that
do the work of the Departments, to administer
them properly | hope the amendment will pass
regard it most important.
"Mr. SHIELDS. | would ask the honor able SEN
ator from Virginia if the amendment attempts to
change the tenure Of office
"Mr HUNTER. 1t does not touch that at ALL Il
does not NEEDLE with the appointing power 1t
leaves that it is
"Mr SHIELDS The highest salary of an ord
nary regular clerk is 81 500.
"Mr. HUNTER. Yes, sir.
"Mr. SHIELDS. fully agree with the honorable
Senator that this measure will be very beneficial
to the Departments
"Mr. PRArr. | desire to make one inquiry of
the chairman of the Committee on Finance de-
sire to know how the present ncumbents a re to be
classified under this arrangement rchether thsy
are all to go out Of office some particular DAY.
so"<n The classification is 10 be made or tuhether tey
are 10 De eonsidered in Office and are 10 be elias
sifed.
"Mr. HUNTER. The amendment considers them
IN office 1t provides that the eristins clerks sha II
be classified and distributed. IL legisiafes no one
out Of office or into office II leaves that as il is
now"
I'VE quote from the report of the Globe. Sen
ate proceedings, February %, 1889
With the law itself before US, and the ipfor-
nation we have here quoted respecting the
opinions and wishes of its authors, we think
the mind of every competent and faithful clerk
may be safely set at rest.
Something has been said of the Aaurantlv
unjust practice that has arisen of giving a biuh