New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-19

the former while they bring up fewer subjects, OBJ
tain higher marks than the University candidates III
the very subjects which are most studied in those
institutions, namely the classes and mathematics
Moreover the examinations are conducted by teach
ers appointed from the Universities nearly every one
of whom stands at the head OF his profession
For instance, the examinations In chemistry are
conducted by Professor Williamson. in whose pres
the candidates required, among other things
to analyze substances; while the knowledge OF those
who are examined on the SUBJECTS of electricity and
magnetism is tested, both as to the theory of the
subject and the manipulation of instruments, 10y Sir
William THOMPSON. The Commission think that it
is by no means complimentary 10 such men as these
to suppose that candidates able TO deceive them
in regard to the degree of proficiency they have at
tanned.
But perhaps the most interesting of the docu-
ments printed with this report are those which con-
tain the criticisms of officers IN the indian Service
upon the present system of competitive eNainna-
ton Some of these entered the Service many years
before the adoption OF the present system and were
mt first strongly prejndiced against il. Lord North
brook late Governor enera of India, Gays: II Is
generally agreed that the favorable judgment ex-
pressed ten years AGO by the Government of India
Of tho system of free competition for the selection
of Civil Servants for India has been confirmed by
subsequent experience. For my own part, having
had considerable opportunities Of Judging of the
manner in which public business is conducted in
England and in India in almost every department
of Government, / have no hesitation in saying that
the members of the Indian Civil Service, as body,
ore excellent public servants. In almost every
rank of the Service and branch of the Adminlstra-
ton have been brought into contact with men OF
distinguished ability and believe there are no du-
ties which have to he performed in India for which
competent men cannot be found"
Governor Robinson used this language: more
or less. one hundred men selected under his system
are now on the rolls of the Junior Madras CiVil
Service; and, a body, they are men OF decided
mental capacity and above the average IN Ygor ana
originality Of intellect. / have examined the list
carefully and find that we have a very considerable
number Of really good and promising officers: and
several of high distinctions; while the decided fail
ures may be counted perhaps on one hand. a
smaller number of men are doing a largely increased
mass of work WITH on the whole, greater precision,
e0ual acumen and not less ability than was the
case when belonged TO the Junior Civil Service.
And hold that. in point of intellectual capacity,
Her Najestys Civil Service in India has practically
been very fairly recruited hitherto"
Similar testimony to the success of the competitive
system is given by almost every prominent officer IN
the Indian Service while of the hundred or more OF
all grades who have written upon the subj cts ana
whose criticisms are published in the return now be-
fore me, net more than two or three favor
the old or patronage" system. The only
one who makes an elaborate argument against
the present system is j. NJ. Campbell. esq,
Special Duty Secretariat to Governments General
Department at Bombay. &c says that las cum
pared with what expected of il wits advocates,
the principle OF competition has he thinks, failed in
three ways: o. it has failed to attract frst-rate
men from the Universities % II has failed to
place any Of the better class of appointments within
the reach of the poorer classes in England; 81 ii
has failed to send fitted on their arrival IN
India for actual employment" 4 an offset 10 this
opinion may be quoted, in addition to those already
givcn above that of Gov. W0deh0usc of Bombay,
who speaks in The highest terms of the Competition
Wallahs," and adds that it appears that an over
vialming majority Of The civilians selected by COM
petition during the last - years have been the sons
Of he poorer but cultivated. gentry of the United
Kingdom. and there is better class from which
Iudia could recruit her Services" III. W.