Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-03-10
Civil Service Reform.

A joint resolution says the n. Y.
Sun, has been reported in the Senate
respecting the manner of making ap
pointrnents TO Office in the civil service.
Ii authorizes the President TO prescribe
such rules and regulations for the ad-
mission Of persons to the civil service
Of the United States ms in his Judge
ment will best promote the efficiency
thereof, and ascertain the fitness Of each
candidate in respect to age, health,
character, knowledge, and ability. The
President is also authorized TO employ
suitable persons to conduct inquiries
upon these subjects. and to establish
regulations for the conduct of those
who may receive appointments. He 10
likewise empowered to prescribe fees to
be paid by all persons applying for ap-
pointmsnst, exceptsuch glasses ofhono.
rably discharged soldiers as be may
exempt. These fees are TO be applied
to pay the expenses Of making such in
quiries-
This joint resolution is very good,
and we trust that it will be passed by
both Houses, and become one of the
laws Of the land. We hope also that
in devising the proposed rules and
regulations, the President will pay due
attention to two or three principles
which are Of primary importance, but
which, unless his attention should be
earnestly called to the subject, might
by accident be overlooked and omitted.
These drincipIsB are briefly as fol-
lows:
/. All relations Of the President, or
of any member Of his family, or of his
wife's family, should be considered ms
it, qualified, and suitable for any branch
Of the public service, and should be re-
gardsd as perfectly entitled to any
place or places which they may prefer
or desire, in preference to oil other per-
sons. No examination whatever should
be required from any relation of the
President, or from any relation of any
of bis relations. In order to avoid nc.
cidents. however, all applicants for cf
fee who expect 10 be appointed by
reason of their relationship to the
President, or TO any member of his or
his wife's family, should be required to
file documentary evidence that they
are in reality related to him or them
either by birth or marriage or spiritual
affinity. Relations should be prefer.
red in proportion TO the nearness Of
their relationship.
III. Persons who give presents to the
President should be entitled 10 appoint. |
ments without examination, or any |
other evidence that they are qualified |
beyond proof of the fact that they have
given presents. 60 far as possible
the Offices conferred should be proper.
toned to the magnitude and value off
the presents given. This class of ap.
plicantB should always have the refer
ence next after the relations of the
President or Of his or of his wife's re.
latoins.
III. As evidence acknowledge, abili
y, and character, testimony may be
that the applicant has sue.
,eeded in making money out Of any
position he may have pre-
Tiously held as, for instance, If he has
,asn railway director, by betrayine
'hs Interests of the stockholders. or ifll
10 has been employed as legal adyi- ,
er, BY aelling his clients to the oppo-
its parties. Proofs Of talent and sue ,
- Il 1his direction should be rsrsr.