The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-27
HArES's CIyIL SERVICE
Providing Examinations for Custom House
once Seekers

Collector Merritt was cosctcd with n num-
Der OF his chief deputies and heads OF Federal
departments IN his private office yesterday
afternoon. arranging the final details OF the
PROPOSED civil service reform. ordered by Sir.
Hayes md Mr.. sherman OF Washington. Only
favored few were admitted by his two mes
scngers to his presence while ho was engaged
in the task. Naval Ofllcrr Burt Surveyor Gra.
ham. Sub Treasurer Hillhouse and Appraiser
butcher had helped him with thcir experience
and counsel in the past two weeks. At about 3
O'Clock the Collector promulgated the new rules
While the reporters were copying them the
ponderous form Of Gen. Palmer. the ex-
Appraisrr OF the Port. staiked out ot the Col
lcrtur's room.
In the draft furnished by tho Collertor II was
said that the rules are a modified edition OF tha
civil service rules Of the Grant Commission of
the customs service and the Sui-Trrasury.
Positions Of trust. where the nominating ofli-
ccr or the surriies on nis official bond ARE pe"u-
nlhrly responsible. and positions Of confidence
~ privnt" secretary and strnOgruph"r ARE MT
affected 10y the rulrs; All other admissions TO
me me ~, -:,T' tSery npil'ant for appointment
To u Vacancy In tho lowest grade II required TO
make application in his own handwrtnE "a
the head OF the offire in which emlioymgut
position sought for: the mama OF th" appi-
cant in fun and the rne AM I'm"
OF his birth: h,s legal residence ana IN"
term Of bis residfnre: his edurtion.
and bis occuuation n1Si hnd prrsrht ne IS
also required to say n h" has ever brrh 'ili-
pluyed ia the civil scrN lc". the lcngih ol ilm"
and in what branch and capa 'lty. ana tp l'lith'
rruson for leaving the SERVICE, It, must h~l
say whether h" has ever served IA the regular
army or navy. anl u what organization ana IN
what capacity. The applicant mast ccrilly that
h, c,fuineei and wrote ont his Hpplio alton
without ass stance from any one, ana lual thc
statements contninrt IN u are true. iir must
b,- - citizen uf the United SiteS, nui c'rt,y
that he - faithful 90 the Union. Candidnt"- Tor
appointment as day or night INSPECTORS
are required to he tw"niy-onr years ui
age. Oihrr caudduteH must le "lshlr'n
| years oli or over. Where applications Indicate
| by their driects TINT the applicants are mani
fsctiy untitled for the service iration Wli DE-
| The list OF Office seekers. The latter are NJ
| sured that eacn case will rest upon It's merits
| and that personal importantly VIII h- unaVhli-
ing. They Will have five days motto" L. appear
| for examination. Que clause in the rulcH says
| that II II be- inpracticnbs to examine all on
| the list a practicable number will be- notified
and the remainder will remain on tho ellslole
For places where tho salary IS 81 300 or more
| applicants will have 10 undergo comprttlFe
| examination. IL IL said in penmApship ana the
| writing and briailng of letters; English gram
| mar chiefly orthogrnphy and sYntaN; htilh-
| metic funlame ntal rules, fractions. percentage
| bookkeeping; history and geograpnY. su'h h1I
! relates principally 10 the United States, hh'i
also prominent features OF the Governins,ndo AZ pl
the United States. For positions under ~ 90
lii. examination will be confined 10 penmhn-
ship. copying. and the elements Of grammar
and arithmetic. The sole object OF the exam
in6tion is ayerr.d to be to test the relative in
telIcence and general fitness fthe competitors
Tor the civil service. In examining Tor posi-
tons requiring special or technical knQwlriE'
the Board of Examiners may make surh addl
tions To the list of subjects is they deem neces
6ary. "
Ii il provided that tho Board Of Exam mners fo
| the Collectors and tho Surveyors Offices an
the Naval Olice shall consist Of tho snrycyo
| and A rrpresentAtiVe selected 10y the Coliocto
and one hy the Naval Ofllrar, Well known citi
7ens will be- invited 10 attend the civil seryic
examinations who will publicly ceruiy thel
opinion in regard to them.
The rules were forwarded to Washington lar
evening and on their Approval the CoHe'io
and tho Naval Officer will announce the name
OF their representatives in the Board OF EAami