Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-12-07
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Presidszt Urges the Necessity Of Re-
formation, Forgetting the Beam In His
Own Eye

partisan considerations, have been
strengthened by my observation and
experience in the Executive office, and
believe these dangers threaten the sta
bility oi the government. Abuses so
St rious in their nature cannot be per
manenily tolerated. They tend 10 be-
come more alarming with the enlarge
nent OF administrative service, as the
growth OF the country in population in
creases the number OF officers and place
men employed.
The reasons are imperative for the
adoption OF fixed rules ior the reSu ulation
Of appointments, promotions, and re-
moyals, establishing uniform method,
having exclusively in view, in every in
stance, the attainment OF the best quail
tication for the position in question.
such a method alone is consistent with
the equal rights OF al citizens, and the
most economical and efficient admins.
tration OF the public business.
Competitive Examinations.
in aid OF impartial appointments and
promotions, have been conducted for
some years past in several oil the Execu.
tive Departments, ami by my direction
this system has been adopted in the
custom houses and postoiiices OF the
larger cities OF the country. In the city
OF New York over lNO thousand posi-
tions in the civil service have been
subjected, in their appointments aud
tenure oil place. 10 the operation OF pub
lished rules for this purpose, during the
past two Years. Tie results ol these
practical trials lave been very satisiac-
tory, 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
at.ainable among the c"n.
reting applicants. IL is an cilr".ual
protection from the
Pressure Ct Importantly
which. under any other course pursued,
largely exa"is the time and ait 'ntiOn Oi
appointing officers, 10 the;r great letr:-
ment i'm the discharge OF other O.!cial
duties. preventing the abuse OF the SER
vice iOr the mere iutheranre OF private
or party purposes, and leaving the en-
plove If the Government, freed from
the obligations imposed by patronage.
10 depend solely upon merit for rcttn.
ton and Advancement, and with this
incentive 10 cXcrtiDn and I'M
provement.
These invaluable result, have been
attained in h:gh degree in the offices
where The rules fOr appointment by
examination have been ap.
piled.
A method which has 50 approved it.
self bv experimental tests At points
where such tests NAV b. iLiTly consider
ed conclusive. should be extended 10 all
positions under the Gov.
ernment. believe that strong and
growing public sentiment demands I'M
mediate measure i"r securing aud en-
forcing the
H;:hes, Possible Efficiency
in the CIyi. service, aad lie protection
from recognized abuses, an! that the
rxr,ricnre referred To has demonstrated
the feasibility OF such measures.
The examinations IN the custom
houses and postol!iCes have been held
under many embarrdssmcn,s and with
out ~ vision for compensation Tor the
extra labor performed by the officers
who have conducted them, and whose
interest III the improve.
mcnt oi the public servic" has induced
this devotion oil time and laJDr without
pecuniary reSsri. 4 continuance oi
these lahors gratuitOusly ought MOTTO be
expected, and without an Appropriation
bv Congress for compensation. II is not
practicable 10 extend the system ot ex-
aminatiors generally throughout tue
civil service. Ii is also highly import
ant thar all such examinations should
he conducted upon a Uniform system
and under general supervision. Section
1853 of the Revised Statutes authorizes
the President 10 prescribe the rcguls-
tions for admission 10 the civil service
OF the nitel States, and for this pur.
D ose to employ suitable persons 10 con-
duct the requisite inquiries with refer
ence to "the fitness oi each can ildate, ln
respect 10 age, health. character, knowl
edge, and ability, for the branch OF ser.
vice into which he seeks Ia enter bat
the Jaw Is practically imperative for
the want Gi the requisite appropriation.
therefore recommend an appropria-
ton OF 5000 per annum 10 meet the
exuenses OK commission, 10 be ap-
pointpd by the President in accordance
With the terms OF this section, whose
duty il shall be 20 devise just, uni!orm
and eff tent system Of competitive ex-
am.na;ions. and TO supervise the applica.
ton of the sane throughout the entire
civil ryice Of the Government ] am
= rarsua led iha. the facilities which such
4 commission will afford for testing the
fitness OF those who apply for office will
not onl" be as welcome relief 10 mem
bers o. Congress as IL will he 10 the
President and heads Of Department.;
but that il will also greatly tend 10 r..
move the causes o: embarrassment:
which are now inevitable and constantly
attend the conflicting claims OF patron.
aye be- ween the Legislative and EKeCu
tive Departments. Tie most chtr,ual
check upon the pernicious competition
OF influence and official favo:i'i.m, in
the bestowsl OF Office, will be the sub,
sti;u,ion oian open competition OF NE il
bttgec the applicants, IN which eyery
one can make his Own r,cJri with the
assurance that his success will deItn
upon this alone.
Ials recommend suclI legislation a.
while leaving every chiccr - free as an.
other citizen Ia express. his pO!it.ca
opinions and 10 use iii' means for thei
advancement, shall also enable him 4
feel as safe as any private c,,iz:n IN re
fusipg all
Demands Upon rs Gal ~ for Pontics
P-rpos.s
A Law which sbouli thus guarante
true liberty and justice to all who are en-
gagged in the public service, and likeuis