New-York tribune., 1878-02-05
A CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
CARTER HARRIsON's PROPOsITIoN--A PERMANENT
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUSE.l

SERVICE.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON Feb. 4.-Mr. Carter Harrison,
chairman of the House Committee on Civil Service
Reform has prepared bill which he will present
this week to his committee as the basis of a pro-
posed reorganization of the Civil Service of
the United States. Mr.. Harrison says that his
purpose in drafting tho bill is to make
the change in the system as nearly radical as poss
be and at the same time to have it contain pro-
visions which will adapt it to the prejudces of the
American people and not excite too much opposition
from Congressmen The bill contains thirteen sec
tons, of which very brief synopsis is as follows:
Section 1 provides for the creation Of a Departs
ment of Civil Service, with five commissioners 10
be appointed by the President and confirmed by the
Senate no more than three of whom shall belong to
any one political party. Their terms arc to be so
arranged, that no appointments can be made except
at the middle of Presidential term. The commits
sioner having the shortest term is to preside over
the department.
Section provides that the President may fill
vacancies in the commission that are caused by
death or resignation.
Section fixes the salary of the presiding commits
sioDer at 5000 and those of the others at ,OOO
Section provides that the commissioners may
be removed by the President for cause with the con-
sent of the Senate given in open session.
Section D declares tlat the cOinnlsSlOncT5 buail
make rules for regulating the Civil Service shall
constantly watch the different branches of the
Government service, and see that they running
Mt n minimum expense shall examine, or cause 10
be examined all applicants for positions, and shall
not be guided in their selections by political SER
wees rendered by applicants or influence of any
character.
Section provides that the commissioners shall
divide the United States into districts, and provide
for examination in each at stated times after public
notice that the power may be delegated in remote
parts to examiners in which case applicants shall
paw IS for examination. Members of both
Houses of Congress shall be Informed OF
the examinations within their own districts.
Section provides that the act shall apply TO all
officers except ambassadors, ministers, coDsuls,
heads of departments and postmasters.
Section 8, which is perhaps the most significant
section of the bill provides that Representatives in
Congress may make nominations for appointment
TO Office from among persons resident i'll their re-
spectIve districts who shall have resided there
year and possess requisite moral and other quail
ties Provision is made that they may recommend
persons whom they do not know upon the testimony
Of persons for whom they can youcb All recon-
meIdations must be in writing, signed by the per-
cons recommending. All applications must be in
Zoe handwriting of the applicant, settng lOrth age,
past vocation, physical condition and mental caPa-
city. In case less than twenty nominations snail be
made for each Office to be filled by members OF tOn-
Gress, then the commissioners may receive applca-
tons in writing from any person in the district.
The remaining sections Of the bill provide for
petitve examinations for promotion i'll all depart
ments, and prescribe that vacancies in the depart
ments only to be filled by promotion, save
where the need of experts of peculiar qualifications
make contrary course necessary. The Civil Ser
vice Department is to supply al the other depart
nents with lists of clerks from which appointments
can only be made and to assume the responsibility
for removals for cause. Original appointments are to
be made on not more than six months probation,
after which the probatiOners are to be placed on
permanent roll from which they can never be re-
moved except for cause. This roll is to constitute
the permanent Civil Service of the Government No
appointments to be made for political purposes,
and no political assessments are ito be paid or de-
manded ON penalty OF dsmissmal.