The New York herald., 1872-11-14
LIGHTHOUSE CIVIL SERVICE.

Examinations for Keepers and Assistant
Keepers To BE Held Next Week-Com-
position OF the Board OF Examiners-
Compensation OF These Employes-Im-
portance OF Having the Best Men
Guarding the Beac0ns to Our Harbor-
Excellent Condition or Our Light
houses.
Gradually but surely the civil service code is
being introduced into the various branches of gov
ernment bureaus In this and other cities. At the
Custom House numerous candidates have competed
for vacant positions. In the Sub-Treasury the
Board has lately been In session to pass upon the
merits OF applicants for promotion. In Washing
ton the civil service rules strictly adhered TO-,
excepting SO far as relates to the appointment or
promotion OF shorthand writer's who are exempt
from examination under the law.
Yesterday Collector Arthur issued an order con.
vening the Lighthouse Board, consisting Of General
Woodruff, Commodore Strong and the Collector OF
Customs in this city, for Monday, the 18th inst to
meet at their headquarters at T0mpkinsville, s. L.,
for the purpose q examining applicants for exist
keepers. Agreeably to the prescribed rules, only
those persons who are at present In the govern
ment service as assistant keepers may compete for
promotion to keepers. Outsiders may apply for
appointment as assistants.
1t is doubtful whether Collector Arthur will sit
with the Board, OF which he Is member. from the
fact that his duties at the Custom House are so
manifold that he cannot afford to be absent any
length OF time during any day; at the same time,
II would hardly be just to candidates for General
Arthur to be Examiner and appointing power at
the same time. Whatever recommendations for
appointments General Woodruff and Commodore
Strong may make, will be duly respected by the
Collector and transmitted at once to the Treasury
Department for confirmation.
The vacancies existing in the lighthouse service
OF this-the Thirddistrict are at Sandy Hook, Fire
Island and highlands Of Navesnk. The compensa-
tion paid by the government to these employees Is
beggarly enough, being only 5000 per annum for
keepers and $500 for assistant keepers, besides
house rent and fuel. And yet there are vast
number OF applications on file from parties anxious
to undergo all the hardships OF an examination and
the vicissitudes OF lighthouse life.
The knowledge exacted from the candidates re-
lates generally to lighthouses how constructed,
the functions they are to serve and how TO be man.
aged. knowledge OF machinery Is likewise essen
ta to assist candidate In passing through the ex-
animation for keeper or assistant keeper.
The utmost praise IL bestowed upon the man.
agement and present condition Of the lighthouses
OF the Third district. Shipmasters and others are
displayed by the Board having the supervision
thereof
When It Ia considered how much responsibility
rests upon the inmates OF o lighthouse to properly
attend to every detail and understand the I'M
p0rtance OF displaying the proper beacOns at all
times 1t Is not to be wondered at that the govern
ment exacts severe and thorough examination
from applicants for these places, and such one
only as the r9id rules OF the civil service demand
VIII Mt candidates to occupy these places with any
degree OF safety,