Liberal Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1872-1???, 1873-08-09
civic SERVICE REFORM.

There is a very wide discrepancy
between theory and practice IN the
administration of the Civil Service
reform, in that the new regulations are
enforced in some cases while in others
they are ienominicusly set aside
Without displaying the motives Of its
advocates, it may be well for US 10
inquire, If there be not some inherent
weakness In tie theories upon which
this attempted reform has been based.
The indecent clamor, whenever there
is a change in the administration, from
the hungry politicians, who flock to
the Capitol b. thousands, and whose
cravings nothing can satisfy but office,
and the never.failing streams OF appil-
cations FOR places, were enough to set
the rulers of the nation at devisiug
some method for avoiding this tax
upon their strength, time, and good
nature. The device Of holding com
petitiYe examinations was hit upon,
and it not only promised a remedy 70 :
the evils ment ioned, but had an
attractive appearance of fairness ia
giving the Offices to those Sho were
best qualified to fill them. Wherein
his device has failed | viii endeayor
% show, and ;aake suggestion Or two
as to how thus reform might be brought
about without any rules, regulations
examinations, or expense.
Ilai IN educational test is INSULT
cient needs no further proof than the
act than those candidates who pass
the examination successfully, are
required 10 seyre a term of probation
n the duties Of their new position TO
TEST their efficiency before they are
finally accepted as a government
cmploye. The examinations of teach
crs, as every one knows, does not show
| their ability to teach, Tor that eau
only be determined by actual duty il
/ tie school room. One may be abuud
| antly qualified as to book knowldge
aud be total failure in every Other
respect while another may be az
excellent teacher without passing a
+ bri!lans examination and have
o5>cryed III at IN employing teacher
more attention is paid ~ their appear
ancc aud reputation for good preceftor,
| ship than to the particular grade q
! certificate they may have received
and here, let me ask, did any Of our
good friends ever suspect or School
! Commissioners or Supcrinisndanls Of
being influenced ly sordid motives
Has money or favortsm ever
| Influenced the euardians Of our schools 7
! Need | mere than hint that the timc
night come when Tie Civil Eviee
Examiners would be- corrupted .
How long is it since the traffic IL
Cadetship was suppressed
L ndcr tie new regulations tie
Offices would be very uncquaily DIS
tributed Ii the examinations are
always to be held 10 the city @,
| Washington, then will inhahit ants q
the nsdric; Of Columbia eli most oi
the Offices for they, being upon tbs
ground, and familiar with the mannc.
Of conducting the examinations, viii
have great advantage oyer those
coming from distance. Should thf
Examining Board travel from city to
city, like band Of Inherent sho8men
the residents of tho cities visited vii
have opport unities for testing them
ability 10 pass the ordeal, and failure
will cause them no creator loss thar
their time. Not so the youthful
aspisant who chances to live in The
country, or in some town not favored
with visit from the Board. So far a.
, they are concerned the exominatio.
: might rs well be held exclusively il
! Washington, for they will have travel
ing expenses and board bills to pay
, wherever they go The expense, anC
the fear Of failure, may keep many o
them as home, and, perhaps, that may
be considered as the strongest point il
favor of the new system
That abuses have arisen from tht
practice of making appointments OF
, recommendation Of members Of Con
gress no one denies, but it has this il
its favor, that the Offices are more
; widely distributed than Under the new