The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-05-19
Secretary Richardson and the Civil
Service.

Washington correspondents of the indie
pendent press, so called, have been telling us
all along that Secretary Richardson has al
ready consummated plans that will nullify all
the good that has thus far been realized by
the operation of the civil service rules, and
all that is hoped for by future application.
The general public have, however, come to
give little heel to the specials of the indepen-
Gent press as both their predictions and utter
ances are fallacious and malignant
In examining the recent lists of four humid
red and seventy-six persons who passed the
last Treasury civil service examination for the
purpose of filling forty-fye vacancies in the
department, the Secretary has learned the
faults and embarrassment of the system which
were partially appreciated By the old Advise
ny Board and considered without conclusion
The first difficulty encountered by Judge
Richardson is the fact that of the new ap-
pointments, majority came from region
within forty miles of Washington. To obvi-
ate this cause of complaint, the Secretary will
favor plan of apportioring appointments
among the several States.
The second embarrassment grows out CT
the fact that the competitors to fill the vacan-
sies are thrown open to male and female ap-
pcants alike, and that strict application of
existing rules forces women who are able to
answer the questions required by the rules
laid down by the Board, into positions re-
curing knowledge of general business af-
fairs which it lis absolutely necessary for the eff
fciency of the service should be filled by men
Mr.. Richardson's suggestion to remedy this
defect is to classify the positions to be filled by
women and confne their competition accord
ingly. As it now stands, woman passes to
apostion where her duties would be to audit
accounts, involving knowledge of transpor-
tation rates, rates Of fare, MOTEL expenditures
and other matters which the Secretary thinks
that not one in a thousand however well ed
ucatPd, will attain.
The third recommendation of Mr. Rich
ardson will be that the rule of probation now
provided shall be enforced with vigor. Every
appointment should be temporary, and every
appointee should go out, who at the end of
six months trial, fails to be recommended for
permanent appointment. rhe Secretary will
further suggest that the examination be made
by board entirely Independent of the de-.
partment which shall be in session all the
time, ready to examine persons from all parts
of the country whenever they go to Washing
ton.
MIR. Richardson proposes to adhere to pro-
motion by competitive examination, but Civ
ing greater prominence to fitness for particu-
lar duties and greater prominence, also, to
the manner in which men examined for pro-
motion have conducted themselves while in
Office, and to their character, habits, etc.
The last and principal suggestion of Mr..
Richardson is to make absolute the prohibi-
ton against making a removal to make va
eancy to be filled by another person, which
will effectually cut off the greatest annoyance
and injury inflicted by members of Congress
under the pressure of persistent applicants
These points the Secretary will bring before
the Advisory Board and advocate modifica-
ton of existing rules in conformity thereto.
As the above are the only notifications that
Mr.. Richardson has made, it is evideat that
the continued declarations of the opposition
press that he proposes to abandon them, is
unqualifedly false. All of his recommends
tons are calculated to adjust the civil service
rules with view to secure the greatest eff
ciencv