Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-12-16


deyoting to the purpose grants OF the pub
lie lands, and, il necessary, by appropria.
tons from the Treasury Of the Uaited
States. Whatever Government can fairly
do TO promote free popular EDUCATION
ought to be done. Wherever general edu-
cation is found, peace, virtue and social
order prevail, and civil and religious lib
erty are secure.
Ia nv former annual messages, | have
asked the attention OF Congress to the ur-
gent necessity of a reformation Of the
civilseryice system Of the Government.
Nv views concerning the dangers OF pa
tronage, or appointments for personal or
partisan considerations, have been
strengthened by my observation and ex
perience 10 the Executive office, and |
believe these dangers threaten the stabil-
ity of the Government. Abuses 30 serious
in their nature cannot be permanently to-.
Grated They tend To become more alarm
ing with the enlargement OF administra.
tive seryice, as the growth OF the country
in population increases the number Of
officers ard placemeD employed
Tue reasons are imperative for the
adoption OF fixed rules for the regulation
Of appointments, promotions and remoy.
ais, establishing Uniform method, nav
ing exclusively in view, in every instance,
the attainment of the best qualifications
tor the position in question. Sucn q
methou alone is consistent with the equal
rights OF oil citizens, sud the most econ.
omicsl and efficient administration OF the
pubic business.
Competitive examinations, in aid OF inI-
partial appointments snd promotions, have
been conducted for some wears pas, in sew
g AL \ tina 70 ~
by my direction this system Mss been
adopted in the Custom Houses snd Post
offices of the larger cities OF the country.
la the city OF New York over two thous
and positions in the civil service have
been subject, ia their appointments and
tenure of place, to the operation OF pup
lshed rules for this purpose, during the
past two years. The results OF these prac-
teal trials have been very satisfactory,
aud have confirmed my opinion III favor
Of this system Of selection. All are sub
jecled TO the same tests, nd the result is
free from prejudice by personal favor or
partisan Influence. Il secures for the pO-
stuon applied for the best qualifications
attsiusble among the competing sppll-
cauts. II is an etiectual protection from
the pressure Of opportunity which, under
any other course pursued, largely eXa2,s
the time and attention OF appointing OH.
GERS, To their great detriment in the dis
charge OF other official duties, preventing
the abuse of the service tor the mere fur
therence of private or party purposes, ana
leavisg the employe OF the Government,
freed from the obligations imposed by pa.
lronage, TO depend solely upon merit for
retention and advancement, and with this
constant incentive TO exerllon ana I'M
prC~5mcnt.
1nese invaluable results have been at
tanned in high degree in the offices
where the rules for appointment by COM
petitive examination have been applied
A method which has SO approved itself
by experimental tests at points where
such tests may be fairly considered con.
elusive should be extended to all subor-
dinate positions under the Government
| believe that a strong and growing pub.
lie sentiment demands immediate meas
ures for securing and enforcing the high.
est possible efficiency in the civil SERVICE
and its protection from recognized abuses,
and that the experience referred 10 has
demonstrated the feasibility of such meas
ures
The examinations In the Custom Houses
and Post Offices have been held under
many embarrassments and without pro.
vision tor compensation for the extra
labor performed by the officers who nave
conducted them, and whose commemorate
interest in the improvement OF the public
service has induced this devotion OF time
and labor without pecuuiary reward. a
continuance OF these labors eratultously
ought not TO be expected, and without an
appropriation by Congress for compenss-
ton, II is not practicable to extend the
system OF examinations generally through.
out the civil service. 1t is also highly
important that all such EXAMINATIONS
should be conducted upon uniform sys-
tenn and under general supervision. Sec
ton 1853 of the Revised Statutes author.
ICES the President to prescribe the regun.
tons tor admIssion to the civil service OF
the United States, and for this purpose TO
employ suitable persons to conduct the
requisite inquiries with reference 10 "ihe
fitn, SIS of eaCn candidate, IN respect TO age,
health, character knowledge and ability,
for the brauch OF service into which he
seeks to enter;" but the law is practically
imperative for the want Of the requisite
appropriation.
therefore recommend an sppropria
ton of S25 900 per anuum TO meet the eX
penses OF commission, TO be appointed
by the President in accordance with the
terms of This section, whose duty IT shall
be to devise a just, uniform aud efficient
system o. competitive examinations, ana
10 supervise the application OF the same
throughout the entire civil service OF the
government. | am persuaded that the