New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-11
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXAMINER TO THE
COMMISSION.

| REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXAMINER TO THE
| COMMISSION.
| RESULT or TIE ExAMINAIIoNs N NEW-loRK, GIN
| CINNArI, st. LOUIS, AND sAyANNAH-rHE CHAR
| AcTER OF TIE SERVICE SAID TO BE GRADUALLY
| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR EXTENSION
| OF TIE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES JAMEsS EXpERT-
| MENT COMMENDED.
The report of Chief Examiner +. y. Graves
10 the Civil Service Commission has just been printed
| from which It appears that District CALCULATIONS
FOR admission TO the C Service were held in November
and December last In NewYork. Cincinnati, ST. Louis,
and Savannah one hundred aud forty nine candidates
we're examined for the Treasury, Interior, Post-Ohce
War and Agricultural Departments. The report saws
the general results were satisfactory although the
number OF canddateswas not 50 large as was expected
owing to the ncwness OF the system. The candidates
compared favOTably with those examined in Washing
ton; those examined in Ncw-York being much above
the average in intelligence aud business capacity.
Seven Of tie NcWYork candidates received appoint
ments in the Treasury Department.; but the contem-
plated reduction OF the clerical force by Congress has
prevented the making OF appointments from the Other
ex aminations.
Since the rules went into eject Ioi examinations have
been held by the boards in Washington; 10 vacancies
were filed and 3,Si7 candidates examined The Board
have performed their aDorous and delicate duties with
fidelity and intelligence They have borne tho system
almost wholly upon their shoulders and 10 them is due
a large share Of the credit the success which
Civil Service reform s1has gained. The eXamina-
tons for admission have al been Of a simple
practical character, and arc kept wholly
within the bounds OF common school education
They give no justification TO the common assertion that
the system gives TO colegebrcd men advantage over
those Of humber schooling. Toe examinations for pro
motion turn very largely on practical questions, PEI
tanning the duties practice and organization OF the
Offices in which the candidates are employed. Tor spe
cia positions the controlling weight is given 70 the
special knowledge required In examinations IN the
appraisers Office in NewYork candidates required
70 classify and apprdIsc samples Of goods procured
from A. T. Stewart & Co. Coin counters and .teeIs
| can be examined BY similar tests.
The connective system is much more effective than
the old system Of personal selection in securing high
order OF such qualifications for two reasons; Itst 1t
brngs into the competition many qualified persons
whose merits could not have been known 10 the appoint
ing power under the old system opt by chance
second accurately tests tie relative qualifications o.
the competitors. IL s not claimed that the most
practical examination will invariably secure the best
man but it is certain that such test must in the nature
of things, be vastly better than none at all and that
adeg nate substitute for it has been sug yested.
The Chief Examiner recommends that the standard
for admission the service be raised that the
nations be held at fixed dates that Board conduct
all the examinations for admission 10 the service III
Washington thus saving much labor and expense. and
securing uniformity III examinations that higher ey
dence Of good character health. and habits required
that a maximum limit OF age he established, and that
promotions be made only grade at time. The re-
port earnestly urges the extending Of the rules to
the whole Customs Sub'T.oasury, and Postal Service
Thus far they have been put in force only
In the departments in Washington and in
the Custom house and sUbTrcasury III NewYork. Mr.
James the present Postmaster OF New has OF his
own notion instituted a very thorough system com
peti,ve examinations for admission 10 his Office which
has greatly improved the service and stood As barrier
against political pressure. These might he made the
models for similar examinations IA all the larger post
Offices. The quiet and unosteutaous manner In which
this measure has been set in operation shows that the
fancod obstacles the reform speedily walsh before
an intelligent effort TO improve the service.
testimony of those familiar with the results Of the
competitive system Is almost unanimous as 10 its success
m respect admission to the service IL Is conceded
that the persons who have been admitted 10 the service
under the Civil Service ules superior in average in
egence capacity adap;aby. and general Usef illness
those appointed under the old system. and that the
OF the service IS gradually improving II has
been proved beyond question tGat capacity
for the minor positions In The public service
can be fairly and accurately tested by com
peItive examinations. The diminuton OF the mportu
nifty for office has given great relief to all officers pos
sSsshg the power or appointment or nomination To
places 70 which the rules have been applied. The
aepartnenis are being gradually supplied with men OF
ualcu ihu acl!Ne minds, VINO are WOrSlug Their way
upward toward the higher places. ana spreading
abpht ihch hh influence favorable TO 10. Reform II Tho
process continues II viii many years before the
departments VIII he transformed the infusion OF this
element "
Concerning competition for promotion The testimony
IL ess favorable although the greater weight OF ouion
Is III lts favor. The OF the - uuuurs,iun
ably improving. Each miu feels that ms promotion
deIenis cnch' upon his own Efforts ana not npon inc
weight O! has political influence nor the degree a. ni.
own sub-crvency. and IL melted 10 extend hi Inov
edgc, especially Ot the dates the once ON yhirn ~
advance mont chiefly depsnid. "
The report refers me inadepnae prnvlsions
ot appyiog and testing the the CtfHrnI,es
RsA&&y w. ili tYagl hare Ngr4sl Ii squ.Iv:ss a,