Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-30
SUBSIDY QuEsTIc Ms.


POSTAL.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29-Since the 4th inst
the mail service has been placed upon twenty
nine new railroads or extensions OF old ones,
making an aggregate Of g6S miles Of new rul-
road communication utilized for postal service.
NEW YEARS HOLIDAY.
The treasury department will be closed from
three this afternoon until Tuesday morning
The war department will also give the em-
ployes holiday to"morow, and In the other
public offices here there VIII be no business
transacted after tO-m)rrow noon until Tuesday.
TIE NEW REGULATION.
Tie secretary of the treasury to-day addressed
the following letter TO all collectors of customs
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Dec. %.
Sir: The rules in regard to appointments in the
civil service of the government, prepared by tho
commissioners on civil service, and approved by the
president, VIII take effect on Monday next On and
after that day appointments and promotions in
your office will be made IN accordance with those
rules FAR practicable 1t wIll be necessary to
organize a committee of competent persons TO make
competitive examinations OF candidates for appoint
ment and for promotion, and until an appropria-
tion has been made by congress to deIray the eN-
penses, it will be necessary to name as commission
ers persons who are already in the service OF the
government and connected with your Office.
/, therefore, request you to give me the names of
three persons who in your opinion are best quali-
fed to perform that duty; and unless objection
shall appear, your recommendation will be approved.
You will receive herewith copy of the report of
the communication, together with the regulations
approved by the president, which, until otherwise
directed Will be the guide of your conduct.
Very respectfully GEo. $. boutwell,, Sec'y.
One of the rules prepared by the civil service
commission, and adopted by the president, re-
qurcS that all postmasters hereafter appointed
whose salaries amounted to 5000 per annum or
over, be subject TO competitive examination.
The list has been completed in the post office
department, showing that the total number Of
such offices is 5109. When vacancies occur in
the larger of these offices, the rule of promotion
will be applied, If any subordinateS therein are
found fitted. In case OF failure to pass eXamiua-
ton, or absence OF subordinates desiring promo
ton, the office will be open for public compc
titiOn.
In addition to this class of offices, the books
of the department show that there are about
$4,000 postmasters whose salaries do not amount
to $500 per annum. These appointments will
continue to be made upon simple applications,
supported by testimonials of character satsfac-
tory to the postmaster general a large proper
accommodation of the public About one.half
of the total number of poStmasterS receive a
compensation not exceeding $50 a year.
In accordance with the suggestion of the civil
service commission, the president Will appoint,
as a regular examining board, three persons
from each of the different departments Of the
government, who will personally conduct all
examinations of applicants, being governed in
their action by the regulations from time 10 time
established by the advisory board. 1t is prob
able that the duties of the latter board will not
require continuous session.
FINANCIAL.
Treasury balances at the close of business to-