The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-11
WASHING TON.
Practical Results Of Civil Service
Examinations.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXAMINER
Favorable Reception of the Bill to
Repeal Moieties.

inst been printed, from wnicn II appears dis-
trsct examinations for admission to the civil ser
vice were held In November and December last in
New York. Cincinnati, st. Louis and Savannah, In
which l49 candidates were examined for the Treas
ury, Interior, Post once. War and Agricultural
departments. The report says the general results
were satisfactory. although the number OF candi-
oates was not large was expected, owing to
the newness OF the system. The candidates CON-
pared favorably with those examined IN Washing
ton, those examined IN New York being much
above the average In intelligence ana business
capacity.
seven OF Inc New York candidates received ap-
pointments in the Treasury Department; but the
contemplated reduction OF the clerical force by
Congress has prevented the making OF appoint
nents from the other examinations
since the rules went into effect 1874 examinations
have been held by the Boards IN Washington, 40
vacancies filed and 3,s17 candidates examined.
The Boards have performed their laborious and
-<aencate duties with fidelity aud intelligence.
They have borne the system almost wholly upon
their shoulders, and to them is due large share
OF the credit the success which civil service re-
form has gained. The examinations for admission
have all been OF simple, practical character, and
are kept wholly within the bounds OF q common
school education.
They give no justification to the common asser
ton that the system gives to college bred men an
advantage over those of humber schooling. The
examinations for promotion turn very largely on
practical questions pertaining to the durles. prac
tlce and organization OF the o1ices in which the
candidates are employed. For special positions
the controlling weight is gwen to the specia
knowledge required.
In examinations in the Appraisers once in New
York candidates were required to classify and APP
praise samples OF goods procured from A. 7.
stewart Co. Coin counters and rellers can be
examined by similar tests
Tue competitive system is much more effective
than the old system Of personal selection in secur
ing high order OF such qualifications for two
reasons First, 1t brings into the competition
many qualified persons, whose merits could not
have been known to the appointing power, under
the old system, except by chance, and second, it
accurately tests the relative qualifications OF the
competitors. 1t is not claimed that even the most
practical examination will invariably secure the
best man, but 1t is certain that such test must,
In the OF things, be vastly better than none
IT all, and that adequate substitute for it has
been suggested.
The Chief Examiner recommends that the stand
ard tor admission to the service be raised; that
the examinations be held at fixed dates; that one
Board conduct all the examinations Tor admission
70 the service in Washington thus saving much
labor and expense, and securing uniformity In the
examinations; that higher evidence OF good
character, health and habits be required that q
maximum limit OF age be established, and that
promotion be made only one grade al a time. The
report earnestly urges the extending OF the rules
10 the whole Customs, Sub Treasury and Postal
services. Thus lar they nave been put in force
only IN the departments in Washington
and in the Custom House and subTreasury
IN New York. Mr.. James, the present
Postmaster of New York. has of his
own motion instituted a very thorough system OF
competitive examinations Tor admission to his
ONCE, which has greatly improved the service and
stood barrier against political pressure. These
might be made the models for similar examinations
IN ali the larger post oflces. The quiet and unos-
tentatous manner in which this measure has been
set in operation shows that the fancied obstacles
to the reform speedily vanish before intelligent
enort to improve the service.
The testimony of those familiar with the results
OF the competitive system is almost unanimous as
to its success in respect TO admission to the SER
vice. 1t Is conceded that the persons who have
been admitted to the service under the civil SER
vice rules superior in average intelligence ca
pacty, adaptabiliIy and general usefulness to those
appointed under the old system, and that the
character OF the service is gradually improv-
ting. II has been proved beyond question
that capacity for the minor positions in the
public service can be larly and accurately tested
BY competitive examinations. The dminuton
OF the importantly Office has given great relief
70 all oficers possessing the power OF appoint
ment OF nomination TO places to which the rules
have been applied.
Tne departments are being gradually supplied
With men OF trained and active minds, who are
working their way upwards toward the higher
places aud are spreading about them an influence
favorable to the reform. II the process continues
ft viii not be many years before the departments
Will be transformed by the infusion OF this new
element.
Concerning competition for promotion, the testt-
mony is less favorable, although the greater
weight OF opinion s In It's favor. The tone OF the
service is unquestionebly Improving. Each man
feels JEat his promotion depends chiefly upon his
own efforts, and not upon the weight OF
his political influence the degree of
mis- own subserviency, and is melted 20 extend his
knowledge especially OF the duties Of the Office on
which mis- Advancement chiefly depends. The report
refers to the inadequate provisions made for apply
ing and testing the rules and the difficulties under
which the boards nave worked, and concludes as
follows There is a disposition to decide the fate
OF civil service reform according to the degree OF
success with which 1t has thus far met. The
pcation Of this test; but 1t must not be forgotten
that the measure has not yet been so applied to
secure all the good results OF which 1t Is capable.
The sphere OF IT'S application has been small and
the agencies TO which IL has been intrusted in
adequate. The true test to apply to 1t is to COM
pare Its results, not with the imaginary results OF
a theoretically perfect system, but with the actual
notorious results OF the system which II has TO
como extent supplanted
Judred by this standard even the inadequate
trial which has been accorded to 1t has demon
strated its great advantages. Tue time has come
ghen II should be treated by all branches OF the
government with the nberality ana consideration
due TO a great and needed reform to which the
people OF this country are committed by the
Iorina declarations Of both OF their great political
parties, and which has enlisted the syiupathies OF
Ali earnest and intelligent men who desire to cor
rect the abuses OF the public service due Vicious