New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-13
COMMENTS UPON A DEAD REFORM.


COMMENTS UPON A DEAD REFORM.
THE ABOLITION OF CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
CONsIDERED-vIEws OF GEORGE WILLIAM CUR
TIs-GIvING UP THE SYSTEM BETTER THAN ADJ
MINIsTERING 1T INsINCERELY - OPINIONS OF
COLLECTOR ARTHUR AND POSTMASTER JAMES
REQUIREMENTS FOR CUsToM-HoUsE AND POST
OFFICE POSITIONS
A TRIBUNE reporter conversed yesterday
with George william Curtis, Chester A. Arthur Col
lector Of the Port and rnOmas L. James. Postmaster
to the effect appointments to oiice OF the dscon
tinuance OF the Civil Service examinations. IL
mas been believed by many persons that the
Civil Service act has been practically inopera-
tive. hut Collector Arthur and Postmaster Ja'ncS
propose 20 continue modified form OF the examha'o"
required under II, as protection to themselves anu ~
the public Mr.. Curtis is hopeful, ana DeheVes UNIV
when Civil Service system gets 10 be better uhuo'
stood 1t will meet with popular favor and correct MANI
OF the present evils caused by the demands ana
| of politicians in appointments to once.
George william Curtis said When the Coustltuuou
was framed, and rules made for the eippoyineht
clerks and suboduaes there we're very Few persons
IN Government employ. not many III all the puohc
offices the country there are now in the Newi
1t did not, therefore, occur to the repre-
sentaves OF the people in those DAYS to provide CIVIL
Service system for filling the enormous number Of
Offices which have been created since that time Inc
better aud higher sentiment OF both parties Is IN faVor
of Civil Service reform and of appointments to office on
the ground of merit and competency ana of removals fo
cause only. Under all the circumstances the discon-
nuance the present Civil Service system is ralher
a matter for congratulaton than otherwise No true
friend Of Civil Service reform will be dispeased ut the
action OF the President IN doing away with the present
The President In his message very lrahSy Ie'
Congress understand his position The fact 49, Congress
! has tue chief foe OF Civil Service REFORM INC
rules evaded and the law never was honestly eh
forced Rather than the law used as convenience
ONLY as it has been for years, the friends OF CN
Service reform that they will no longer he he'd
| responsible for the workings OF system which mas
| been by uuircndly managers IN the inter
| est of personal and partisan prejudices. III the
| collectors and postmasters throughout the couh-
| try had felt that Gen. Grant was as much
IN earnest enforce Civil Service act as he was In
earnest during the war to capture Richmond we would
have very different state of Things But the law
used excuse FOR not appointing men 10 once
WHO were well qnahned Tor noslUohs ol 10 unio M
na;ev not in favor Tie advocates OF tue Clvl
Service rules much prefer to have the systen gwen up
aogei her rather than TO have continued uhder an IN
and halfnearted management. we are not us
couraged left the Cvil Service Commission because
saw plainly that Congress was hinderlng ana oostruc
ing the proper enforcement OF the law But sooner or
later proper Civil Service system VIII he established
ON "A firm basis IL was not 10 oe eNpec.Gu Una, una.
| such wlde-reachng reform would meet with 1aVOr
The only persons VITO can in the matter are the
! representatives OF the party In power Tor tDe tlhe
|
tier own followers. the advocates OF Civ1 service
reform have fought the battle IN vain. They have
| politicians. ana see more plainly than ever that d
proper CIVIL Service system is the true remedy for
e any G form nne OF wrongs Tne people also
have become better informed on this sub
articles in the newspapers even tue fun made OF the
reform. has attracted public attention to It, IL may be
one step q time until Its operation becomes familiar
to the Departments But one hngis sure; The friends
"A slgn rf
They have done they htd night TO ex-
pect with an experiment which met with 50 great St.
cret and even open opposition.
Collector Arthur said that the discontnuance of the
CIVIL Service system OF examinations wound not mate
rally the mode of appointments III the Custom
house. The competitive examination REQUIRED under
not sufficiently elastic in certain cases,
and sometimes shut out men of acknowledged com
potency The Collector SAID that he intended To continue
an examining board to whom applications would be re-
tered and he should be guided in his action by their
report. He mad made very few removals during his
term and those ogly for good cause The CIyl Service
restricted him III removals. Dut haf required
a competitive examination before appointment lte
Many of these were from cOegcbred men, who, from
defect III their CHARACTER had not been abe TO get
along i'll the world and although well educdted were
drifting without aim Or occupation. These men were
aoc pass hcstrate examination in tue elementary
EUehsh branches; nat were wanting III common sen5e
ami could not be lnru,ted win business matters re-
curing the exercise of Judgment and discretion Ine
very weakness when hid dls4daiined theu III other
pursuits made them almost Useless IN public employ
hent, except for ordinary routine work. TIE promo
lions CIstOui-hOuse were made on account OF
merit. were recommended by the Chefs o. DVlslons
These chiefs we've not politicians several "a lheh nav
ug been employed III tue Cust1mh0use from twenty 10
thirty years Mr. Arhu DID not Wis 70 be Understood
rs saying that party Influences had nothing % DO with
appoiutnents-that would be saying too much-but he
mad removed any one on purely partisan grounds
| Promotions made on the recommendation or the
heads OF departments aud for the good OF the SERVICE
The Civil Service rules Lad relieved the Collector III
the OF outside Influences Diff
cult 70 aside, anu had favored them IN me icd
form. The discOntinuance OF these rates gave rather
more elasticity 10 appointments put he should continue
aG examining board ds an lhValutpie ana III securing
| good officers.
| examining board. composed o. Henry g. Pearson,
| James GayleI, George II. Lpunsberry. and Thomas r.
| BanneTman. Al! candidates for appointment In tue
Post Once subjec ed 10 the usual examination
10 knowledge OF the elementary branches ana as TO
| their genera competency The fOst-Ofcc Department
required meI OF good character ana average AFFINITY IN
| the minor Offices, and the examinations Tor promo
| ION very street Tlc competitive eXlHlna-
! tons had gwen the ONCE a better class OF
and ndd greatly Improved us stanuluR llIu H.
| compcGenG men were always retained BY the Post
master and he had made no removals except for good
can a. ana FOR tLe pcst interests OF service. Promo
lions were maie regularly and Tor merit Tue questions
10 be answered Oy each applicant Tor Office gave the
Pos master outline OF MS previous history, which
ana had been the means of keeping improper
persons OuS OF tie department. There were
50 many tails IN tho Management of the
Pust-Ofhce that II greatly 10 the advantage
Postmaster 10 retain good men. and 10 get rid OF
the Incompetent l. also Of equal importance 10
keep unworthy applicants Odt OF the Office Tue Rail
way Mail service under Geo >. Bangs, General Super
intendent controls thc travelling agents and POstOfce
clerks whO distribute mH matter in transit Appi-
satisfactory preliminary t&aihihaupn, ana, ap
pointed, eX .mncI from time 10 TINE 10 their
progress IN acquiring "a gen6Ial ftnl'.tltV aud ac
qIaIn.ancc witd zoe details o. tLc department
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT
or Buildings.
Walter w. Adams, Superintendent of the De-
IA, lad.