New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-08

EXAMINATIONS AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
CARRYING OUT THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES Az
PROVED BY IHE PREsIDENT-REsULTs OF THE
SYSTEM.
A civil service examination is in progress this
week at the Custom House of candidates for admis-
sion the lower grades of cleTkships and Inspector
ships Ii Is held under the regulations approved by
the President last March. The only requirements
cxactcd of candidates are citizenship, fidelity TO the
Union and the Constitution. good character and
physical capacity To perform the duties OF the posi-
tion desired. No questions are asked as to their
politics or religion, and. except in cases of
service in the Army or Navy, no preference
Is shown to any candidate The names of
applicants are filed In the order Of their
receipt and the candidates given notice for ex-
animation, in classes of thirty forty. When a
vacancy occurs in any department. the examiners
report TO the head of the department the names of
the three most proficient candidates, from which
selection is made. Those who do not receive the
appointment may have their marks compared with
those of other candidates who compete for vacan-
cies in the same department occurring within one
year. The examination for the lower grades OF
clerkships is mainly directed TO ascertaining the
gcneraintclligemce of the candidates; special tech
ncal examinations being confined to candidates for
promotion 10 higher grades, requiring familiarity
with particular subjects.
The examinations are wholly IN writing. and nre
conducted IN an upper room in the Custom House.
Each candidate receives number, his name NOT
beiuV known to the examiners at all, but being
given 10 clerk outside The room as he passes out
after the examination. separate papers are pre-
pared for every class. The ,mc from q. m. 10 ! p
m. is allowed 20 tn~h tine papers which cover only
So much of eight large PAGES # writing paper as Is
lief, alter the questions are placed on the pages.
some OF the pages may be c9IP'etfea WIN nan
10 write a short passage from dctation.
10 indicate the readiness of hearing spell
.ug. punctuation and general knowledge
brief papers on arithmetic follow, ON notation and
enumeration, addition. fractions, and applied
mathematics The next paper calls for hat
and government 10 elicit the candidates lnowl-
edge of the general conformation of his own coun-
Try ana the location of important places abroad,
md such noteworthy facts IH Al cIican history aud
the roust riictiou If the United States Government
rs every man of fair intelligence is supposed 70
know The correction OF the syntaX of few false
sentences. the writing OF letter on gwen subject
and al exercise IN renudnshlp close the eN3miuy-
ton. The general appearance OF the candidate Is
also noted. TIE manner IN which the examination
Is conducted hears the appearance of perfect far
hess. An inspection of the preliminary papers de-
scTiptivc of the candidates, and stating
their previous occupations, shows that large
proportion of cOege-Ored men and of men
If business training among the applicants About
Twenty-Five vacancies have been filed under the
regulations No force; and the examiners say the
character of the app0ntees thus obtained IL
strong recommendation ol tNc system. w Hrn III Is
considered, they say also, that the superior officers
of the various departments are absolutely relieved
from the opportunities of Office seekers, and can
spend an their time upon the dutir; OF their posi-
TONS increased efficiency of the service Is sure 10
follow a continuance OF the system.
At the examination yesterday thirty-four candi-
dates presented themselves Among the visitors
were Professor Coffin, OF New-Haven, Dr. T.. II.
Wander Neyde VI. d., Of Brooklyn, and Lewis NJ.
Ncekcr, of the Treasury Department. The exami-
ncIs were General y CIV Villains for the Collectors
Office. john NJ. Comstock for the Naval Ofiice, aud
jasper !. Kane for the Surveyors office. II. W.
Gourey. the Naval Ofce, secretary of che Board,
q M nrHSenI.