The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-06
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Copxrcssman Harrison's Scheme
Almost Equal TO Grants Effort In
n similar Direction.

WAsHIEGTON, February 5.-The trst
formal Democratic plan of civil service
reform is about to burst upon the natioo.
1t sounds like communication to
comic almanac, but it is really presented
in good faith.
Mr.. Garter Harrison, Chairman of the
House Committee on Civil Service, has
prepared bill, which he will present this
week TO his committee IS the basis OF
proposed reorganization of the civil SER
vice of the United States. Mr.. Harrison
says his purpose in drafting the bill is to
make the change in the system as nearly
radical as possible, and at the same time
to have il contain provisions which will
adapt it to the prejudices OF the American
people, and not excite too much opPosi'
ton from Congressman. The bill con-
tsins thirteen sections, OF which very
brief synopsis follows:
SEC. l. Provides Tor the creation OF
Department OF Civil Service, with five
Commissioners, TO be appointed By the
President and confirmed BY the Senste,
no more than three of whom shall belong
10 any one political party. Their terms
are TO De so arranged that no appoint
men,s can be made except at the middle
of a Presidential term. The Commis.
,ioner having the shortest term Is TO pre-
side over the department.
SEC 2. Provides that the President
NAV fill vacancies in the commission that
are eau. ed by desth or resignation.
SEC. 5. Fixe: the salary OF the Presid-
ing Commissioner st 5000, ard those o.
the others a. $4,000
SIC. 4. Provides that the Commission
ers NAV be removed By the President for
cause, with the consent OF the Senate,
given in open session.
SEC. 5. Declares that Comm issioners
shall make rules for regulating the civil
service, shall constantly watch the differ
ent branches OF the government service,
and see thst they are running 81 min
imum expense; shall examine or csuse
TO be examined sll applicants for posi-
,ions, and not be guided IN their ssleC-
tlons by political services rendered by
the applicants o. influence of any char
scter.
SEC. 6. Provides thst the Commits
sioners shsii divide the United States
into districts, snd provides tor exsmios-
tions in each 81 sisted times, siter pub.
lie notice. Thst power msy be delegated
in remote parts 10 examiners, in which
csse applicant. shall pay IS for eIamins-
tion. Meu oers OF both houses of Coz
sress shall be informed OF examinations
within their oTn districts.
SEC. :. Provides ths. the sc; shall sp-
ply 20 sIl officers except ambassadors,
ministers, consuls, heads OF departments
and PostmssteTs.
Section S, which is perhaps the most
significant section OF the bill, provides
that the Representatives iu Congress may
make nominations for appointments 10
Office from smong persons resident in
their respective districts, who shall hsve
resided there year and possess the re-
qulsite moral and other qualities Pro
viso ia made thsi they msy recommend
persons whom they do no: know
upon the testimony OF persons for
whom they can vouch. All recommen-
ds;ious must be in writing, signed By
the persons Recommending. AL spplics-
lions must be written in the handwriting
Of the applicant, setting forth age, past
vocation, physical condition and mental
capacity. In case less than twenty nomi-
nations shAll be made for esch Of6ce TO
be flled By members OF Congress, then
the commissioners may receive spplica-
tlons in writing from sry persons IN the
district
The remaining sections OF the bill pro-