The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-28

1naC poor OlQ farce With the rlckeIy gags
thrown in-.he civil service reform-has
been on the congress boards again. II is
something the players never seem to tire of,
although the country has grown weary of it
for many day. 1t is worth while, however,
to retrsce the course of the solemn farce.
General Grant, in December, 1870, in his Sec
ond message, called the attention of congress
to the grave need of reform in the civil SER
vice, and in March, 1871, congress author
lied tine appointment of a commission to
prepare rules. The rules soon after adopted
were said to have gone into effect in De-
cember 1871. Since that time they have
been applied in Washington and New
York City appointments where posi-
tons have been obtained through
severe competitive examinations. George
William Curtis, the editor of Harper.
an enthusiastic champion of the refo rm,
was made chairman of the committee, but
recognizing the fast and loose policy of the
administration in making it cloak to cover
such scandals as Casey, Murphy, Liver
more, and their kind, Withdrew in dis
gust, AID Shellabarger was offered the
place which finally fell to the lot of Dor
man b. Eaton. Mr.. Eaton is New York
lawyer, of respectable character and attain
ments. He has pretended to be satisfied
with the workings of the system. Casey,
Kramer, ct al. thrown in, and with his fellow
commissioners has prepared a report
which is a wonderful exhibition of
human credulity. The following are some
of the most interesting features of the re-
port: All promotions are from the lower to
the higher classes and offices. Candidates
are required to be of good moral character
and in possession of good health. No origi-
nal appointments shall be for more than six
months, at the end of which the service
closes, unless the appointee has
shown such good qualities that he secures
resppointment. The country is divided
into five districts for the convenience of
candidates for admission. Ali these exam
nations are conducted by board of three
persons, advised by the commission and ap-
proved by the president. The subjects on
on which examinations take place
are the following: 1, Penmanship;
| 2, writing and briefng letters; 8,
cleIuonts Oh tnglSn grammar, cnleny Or
biography and syntax; 4, arithmetic-fun-
dsmental rules, fractions, percentage, in
terest and discount; 5, elements of accounts
and book keeping; 6, history and geography
general questions, principally such as
relate to the United States; and 7. promi-
nent features of the government of the
United States. Examinations for pro-
motions relate principally to .he prac-
teal duties of the office competed for
District examinations have been held in
Washington, New York, Cincinnati, Ssvsn-
nah and st. Louis, and are soon to be held in
other cities. The report shows that the
members of the cabinet bear decisive evi.
dence of the good effects of the reform.
Among other benefits the following are
mentioned: They have, on an average,
where examinations apply, given persons
of superior capacity and charac-
ter to the service of the govern
ment, and have tended to ex-
clude unworthy applicants. They have di-
minished the unreasonable solicitations and
Pressure WHICH Numerous applicants and