The New York herald., 1872-09-16
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Rules and Regulations of the Curtis Ad-
visory Board To Be Carried Out in New
Difficulties Of the Undertak-
ing-What the Applicant is
Expected to Know.
-z<-.sJ2

An effort is to be made to adopt and carry out
the rules and regulations respecting tile civil ser
vice, approved by the Advisory Board, of which
George William Curtis is chairman, and published
In Washington, May IA, 1872. Naturally New York,
In its relations to the government the most impor
tant place in the Republic is selected for the enter
ing wedge, and E. o. Graves Chief Clerk of
the United States Treasury ofice is now In this
city, actively engaged in establishing the system
laid down by these regulations.
The great difiiculty In the way Of carrying these
regulations into effect has been the want Of sup
port and cooperation the part of those occupy
ing leading positions in the various departments
throughout the country. For the most part receiv-
ing their appointments as the reward Of political
services and trusting to their immediate subordi-
mates (who are held in position to furnish brains,
without reference to changes in the administra-
tIon) for the proper performance OF their
duties, and holding them responsible. They have
failed to appreciate the necessity OF reform and
have been loath to surrender that consequence
which the arbitrary power of appointment has
given them. This has left the effort at reform
the carrying out OF the rules and regulations OF the
Advisory Board-entirely In the hands of the i'm
mediate subordnates referred to, chief clerks and
deputies who have keen appreciation Of the dni-
Guilty in obtaining proper performance of duty In
the various departments and are eager for q
change which sha, tighten their own labors and
responsibilities. In this connection 1t may be
we'll to call the attention of the country to the well
known fact that those obtaining high official po-
sitons and the large salaries appertaining thereto
are politicians, with few exceptions, ignorant of
the duties they called on to perform, and trust.
ing to their subordinates, men of experience and
form the duties for which their principals are paid.
For three months past the system OF competitive
examination, as provided for IN the regulations,
has been In operation In the Treasury Department
at Washington, and the results have been entirely
satisfactory to those who have been in the best
positions to appreciate its workings. Under it the
names of the three shown by the examination to
be best capable Of performing the duties OF any
vacant position, named IN tne order Oh merit are
speaking the first one named has been selected.
The following Boards Of Examination Tor this city
FoR cOLLEcToR's AND SURVEYORS OFFICES
Thomas /. James, Deputy Collector, Chairman;
John X. Lydecker ana John .,l L; Benedict.
Cyrus w. Burt, Chairman; Robert Etheridge and
APPRAISERS OFFICE
Appraisers Bausch, Burt ana Sturgess.
ASSISTANT TREAsURER's OFFICE.
William q. White, Cashier Chairman; Charles A.
Patterson and +. @. Field.
These gentlemen are all occupying Official posi-.
tons and their duties as examiners are additional
and without further recomDense.
Mr.. Graves has had informal meetings with the
Advisory Board, consisting OF the chalrmen OF the
have been made for the opening Of sessions at an
early day. Those for the Collectors and Surveyors
ofces and the Naval ONCE Will be held In the up
per room OF the Custom House Building, corner OF
Exchange place and Hanover street, now being
prepared for that purpose; that for the Treasury
In the Treasury building. The place OF meet
ing for the Appraisers is not yet decided
upon. Under the regulations governing
appointments ana promotions Ill the customs SER
vice and the Sub-Treasury In New York. applica-
tions must be for the lowest grade or for the one
next above that held by the applicant. Copies OF
the regulations showing the fOrmaities necessary
in making application for appointment are in the
hands OF the cliarmen OF the respective Boards.
All candidates Tor appointment to positions the
annual salary OF which Is $1,000 or more will be
subjected to public competitive, written exami-
nation upon the following subjects:-t ~ penman-
ship; ~ writing aud briehng letters; C0 elements
OF English grammar, chiefly photography and syn
tax; 4) Observation-Disclosures rules fractions
percentage, interest and discount; G) elements Of
accounts and bookkeeping; to) history and geo.
graphy-general questions principally such as re-
late to the United states and ~ prominent fea-
lures Of the government OF the United states.
Candidates for appointment TO positions the sal
ary OF which Is less than 81, 200 will be examined
in IKE manner upon the following subjects FIRST
penmanship; second, copying; third, elements OF
English grammar. chiefly 0rt biography and syntax,
apd lOpTth. FUNDAMENTAL rules Of arithmetia