Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-29
Letter from Washington,
IrRoM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENTS.


was somewhat surprised to hear him affirm in
quite positive terms his conviction, after a
thorough examination of the documentary facts
relating TO the civil service in Prussia and Great
Britain, that in average ability, at least the en-
ployees of the treasury department were fully
the equals of equivalent grades in those coun.
tries, while b natural quality and adaptabeness,
he thought our present treasury force superior.
Mr.. Elliot is an expert, being chief examiner OF
all the employees. He is a member Of the civil
service commission which meets here tomorrow
for organization. Mr.. Elliot is an advocate of
some reasonable civil service system and al
ways has been. One thing is certain, that he
does not agree with Henry Brooks Adams, If
the latter retains the views he so vigorously
expressed some twenty months ago in
the North American, Of Governor Boutwell,
indifference to this reform. The mistake made
by its special advocates is that they insist that
there is nothing like leather"-of their tam
ming. No other panacea but that of q huge and
anomalous board to conduct competitive exam
nations and set all the schoolmasters examining
their favorite pupils to fill places most of them
our national flesh is heir to.
1t will be found, however, that Gov. Boutwell,
and the other cabinet officers have, in the main,
pursued the best policy by wedding out the in
competent and unfit, whether from inability or
disloyalty, and, as fast as practicable installing
men of reasonable ability and good character in
the vacancies created. Once get the depart
ment filed with men of character, and the
adoption of some stated plan of reform in the
mode of appointment and tenure of office would
be made much easier. And this is exactly the
result
The civil service commission will find their
task greatly simplifed by what has been done
in the way of improving the service, especially
in the treasury department. In this, like other
things, President Grants administration is un-
fortunate, because from the necessity OF remov-
ing so much rubbish caused by the political cor
ruption and administrative incapacity Of Andrew
Johnson's administration, the people have really
been unable TO see what vast amount of real,
solid reformative work has been and is being
accomplished. The scavenger's work seldom
gets recognition, yet the health of our own and
other households depends upon its being prop
erly done. During the past two years this adj
ministration has been largely compelled to con-
fine itself to the duty of national scavengering.
From this time forth we shall probably begin to
realize what vast amount of real valuable la
Dor has been accomplished.
There have been no appointments m ade more
satisfactory or proper, than those composing
the civil service commission. George William
Curtis, the Sir Philip Sydney of literature and
| journalism, has been a foremost advocate Of
this important reform. He knows the needs oil
American character, and has often shown him
self so practical, that there need be no fear OF
his committing himself in advance to some
| Joseph Medil, of Chicago, almost the founder
of the great Tribune of the northwest and its
chief editor through many of its best years, is
most admirably adapted TO the position the
President has called him TO. 1t was his
sagacious and practical mind that directed and
shaped the new constitution of Illinois-de.
cidedly the best fundamental state law now in
edge CLEANED in a wide and useful career. OF
Mr.. Walker, of Pennsylvania, little is known
here while Mr.. Cattel, of New Jersey, was
esteemed one of the very best business men in
the senate. The three experts appointed from
the treasury, post office and interior departments,
are decidedly good nominations. Mr.. Elliot, OF
whom have already spoken, has varied ex-
| perience. He will be remembered as the actuary
| of the sanitary commission, and also as Special
| Commissioner Wells chief clerk while that
office was in existence. Mr.. Blackfan has long
been the superintendent OF the foreign mail SER
vice in the general post office, in which capacity
he has naturally an extensive insight into the
administration and organization of foreign pos
tai systems. Besides his practical experience
and long administrative service, he is man OF
large natural and acquired ability and culture
David C. Cox was formerly in the treasury, and
when Mr.. Delano was made commissioner OF
internal revenue and found that bureau, so far
as outside appointments and service were con-
cerped at least, in worse than Augean plight,
Colonel Cox was one of three or four gentlemen
selected by Mr.. Delano to perfect and admins
ter the reorganization which was begun at once.
So his experience fits him for the place he is to
| fill.
The law under which this commission is to
operate confines its duties distinctly to report
ing on the laws and rules best adapted for regu-
lating admission to the civil service. 1t is not
probable, however, that the construction will be
so strict as that; for it is a necessary conse-
| quence of its assembling, that the commission
shsll make a thorough examination of the pres
ent condition of the clerical service, and shall
also suggest what in their opinion, is needed to
secure it greater efficiency-a result certainly
not fully accomplished, however much it may be
aided, by merely laying down rules and regula.
tons as to admission.
| l find there is considerable less desire than
| formerly for a permanent tenure of office, i. e.
one during good behavior. The idea of fired
tenure, concei ming appointment say, for four
years, seems to meet with increasing favor.
A suggestion has been made to members Of
the commission, and meets with approval
which proposes an examination as to general
ability and character of all applicants for cleri
cal appointments, who, if they obtain them
to be considered as on probation, until, after
a certain period, they are subjected to and pass
a competitive examination within the depart
ment where they serve; this examination to be
for promotion and definite appointment, to BIZ
based chiefly on the department administration
laws, and office work, while the promotions arr
to be for merit displayed in the competition t.
which the clerks will thus be submitted. SucE
a system would include regarding rotation O
duties, careful and thorough inspectorship il
the several departments.
Whatever report may be made or plan adopt
ed by the commission, it is almost certain t.
be acceptable and practicable. The presiden
deserves credit for the character of the appoint
ments thereto. OBSERVER.
Correspondence Of the Worcester spy.l
College Matters.