Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-14

hNI lnl>AlAliNC sCINtCt, - the SIONlu ol
the country in population increases the
number of officers and placemen en-
ployed.
The reasons are imperative for the
adoption of fixed rules for the regulation
Of appointments, promotions and re-
movals, establishing a uniform method
having exclusively in view, in every in
stance. the attainment Of the best quail
ticatiOns for the position in question.
Such method alone is consistent with
the equal rights Of AL citizens, and the
most economical and efficient admins
trStion of the publ business.
Competitive examinations in aid of
impartial appointments and promotions
have been conducted for some years
past in several OF the executive depart
ments, and by my direction this system
has been adopted in the custom houses
and pOstofhCeS of the larger cities of the
country. In the city of New York over
two thousand positions in the civil ser
vice have been subject, in their appoint
ments and tenure OF place, 20 the opera-
lions of published rules for this purpose
during the past two years. The results
Of these practical tria.s lave been very
satisfactory, and have confirmed my
opinion in favor Of this system Of
selection. All are subjected 10 the
same tests, and the result is free
from prejudice by personal favor or
partisan influence. 1t secures for the
position applied for the best qualifi-
cati ms attainable among the competing
applicants. Ii is an eifectual protection
from the pressure of importantly which,
under Any other course pursued. largely
exacts the time and attention OF ap-
pointing officers, 10 their great detri-
ment in the discharge OF other official
duties, preventing the abuse OF the
service Tor the mere furtherance Of pri-
vate or party purposes, and leaving the
employee of the government. freed from
the obligations imposed by patronage, to
depend solely upon merit for retention
and advancement, and with this con-
stAnt incentive TO eNertion and Ia
proyement.
These invaluable results have been
attained in high degree il. the offices
whele the rules for appointment by
competitive examination have been APP
piled.
A method which has - app, owed IL
self by experimental tests ~ points
where such tests may b. fairly CON
sidered conc ,uSive, should be extended
10 ali subordinate positions under the
government | believe that "A strong
and gro wing public sentiment cemSndS
immediate measures for sc ,uUing and
enforcing the highest possible efficiency
in the civil service, and its protection
from recognized abuses, ari that the
experience referred 20 has demonstrated
the feasibility OF such measures.
The eX limitations IN the custom
houses and pOstOffiCes have been held
under many embarrasSments and with
out provision for compensation for tue
extra labor performed by TIE officers
who have conducted them, and whose
commemorate interest in the improve
meut Of the public service has induced
this devotion Of time and labor without
pccuniary reward. \ cont" uance
OF these labors gr1tuitously ought
not 10 BE- expected, ani without
an appropriation by Congress for com
pensatiou, l. j. not practicable 10 ex-
tend the systems Of examinations gcner-
ally throughout the civil service. IL IS
q, 80 highly import M that all such eN-
uniform system and under general super
vision. 5 elton l,753 of the revised
statutes authorizes the President 10 PIE
scribe the regulations for admission 10
the civil. service Of the United States.
and for this purpose 10 emp ,Oy suitHo e
persons TO conduct the requisite in
quiries with reference 10 1.-THE fitness of
each candidate, in respect TO age, health,
character. knO Wedge and ability Tor the
branch Of service INTO which he So Ks 70
enter bu, the law 5 practically IN
operative for want OF the requisite ap-
preparation.
| Therefore recommend an apPropria
ton of SIS, 900 pr Snnum 10 NEE he
expenses OF i commission, 10 be ap-
pointed by the President in accordance
with the terms OF this section, whose
duty il shall be 70 devise AUST, uniform,
and efficient system of competitive eX-
aminatiOns. and 10 supervise the spp.i-
cation OF the same throughout the en-
tire civil service of the government.
am persuaded th9t the facilities which
such commission will afford for test
ing the fitness OF those who apply for
Office will not only be rs welcome a
be 70 the President and heads Of depart.
uents, but that il will also greatly tend
To remove the causes of embarrassment
which now inevitably and constantly
attend the conflicting claims OF patron
age between the legislative and execu-
tive Departments. The most ehectual
check upon the pernicious competition
of influence and official fRvorltlSm, in
The best0wal OF Office, wi be the sub
slitutiOn of tan open competition OF merit
between the applicants, in which every
one can make his own record with the
assurance that his success vii, depend
upon this alone.
Ialso recommend such legislation as,
while leaving every oiicer as free as any
other citizen 10 express his political
opinions and 10 use his means for their
advancement, shall also enable him TO
feel as safe IS any private citizen IN re
using Sil demands upon HIS salary tor
political purposes. A !aw which should
thus guarantee true liberty and justice
TO all who are engaged IN the public
service. and likewise contain contingent
provisions sgsins. the use OF official au-
thority to coerce the political action OF
private citizens or Of official subordi-
mates, is greatly 10 be desired.
The most serious obstacle, however,
% An Improvement OF the civil service.
and especially TO a reform in the method
OF appointment and removal, has been
found 10 be the practice under what Is
known IS the spoils system, by which
tae appointing power has been 80 Largely
encroached upon by members OF Con.
gress. The frs. step IN the reform OF
the vii service must be a complete d.
yorce between Congress and the ESecu-
tive in the matter of appointments
The corrupting doctrine that to the
yi,tors belong the spoils," is irsepar-
aole from Congressional patronage as the
established rule and practice OF parties
in power. Ii comes 10 be understood By
r:.--.. e. i. " N a1d nv the neonle