The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-12-15

to be- brought out by competitive o.
animation To make success in suoh .
public employment would very likely result In
the practical exclusion Of the older applicants.
even though they might possess qualifications
far superior to their younger and moro bril-
liant competitors. These suggestions must
n not pc regarded a. evincing spirit Of
been to some extent successfully employed,
and which may hereafter vindicate the claims
OF its most earnest supporters. But II ought to
be seriously considered whether The appli-
cation Of the came educational stand
to young men fresh from school or colies:
would not be Likely to exslt mere intellectual
proficiency above other qualities Of equal or
greater Importance. Another feature Of tho
proposed system is the selection by promotion
OF all Offices. of the government above the
fsfis BE- rs sess1 oss s.po ms11e
Of tho policy Of the executive and the princi-
pies Of the dominant party to afford. encour
aged to faithful public servants by exciting in
their minds the hope Of promotion II they are
found to DO .: much desired; but would Il
a wis: =: to pern :s'P no other r %sa. &
supplying the intermediate walks Of the
servants? There are many perpous who AN
subordinate positions with great credit; but
lack these qualities which are requisite to
higher posts OF duty, and besides the modes Of
in = government bureau has been long
continued are often 20 cramped by routine
procedure - almost to disqualify him from
institutin9 changes required BY public inter-
ests, and the infusion OF new blood from time
: TO s' to the ;. middle r s.a., ., h
ito results. Tho subject under discussion
il one of grave importance The evils which
ire complained Of cannot be eradicated atonoa
The work must be gradual Tho present
English System IL growth Of years and We
not created by single stroke Of executive or
an order in council promulgated In 1855, and
1t was after patient and cautious ecrut;ny Of III
working that fifteen years later Il took
its present shape Five years after the iasu-
ance OF the order IN council, and at = time
when resort was had to competitive examine
than has yet been the case in this country,
select committee Of the house Of coramone
made report to that house, which, declaring
its approval Of tho competitive method, depre-
Gated. nevertheless, any precipitancy in It's
general adoption rs likely to endapgef Ito ulti-
mate success during
THIS TENTATIVE PERIOD
the reeults of the two methods Of pass exami-
nation and competitive examination was close
" watched and compared 1t may bo that be-
fore We contine ourselves upon this important
question within the stringent bounds Of statut-
ary enactment, We may probably await the
result of further inquiry and experiment The
submission Of portion OF the nominations to
central board Of examiners selected solely
for G},e,n t!Sst'Ds tho Qualification Of a.
sort to the competition tas1
put an end to the mischief
which attends the present system OF appoint
ment. and it may be feasible to vost In suol,
board wide discretion to ascertain the char
acteristics and attainments Of candidates. in
these particulars which I have ALREADY re
ferred to as being no less important than mere
intellectual attainment II congress should
deem it advisable at the present session TO e.
tablieh competitive tests for admission to the
service, no doubts such as have been suggested
shall deter Inc from giving the measure nv
earnest support, and urgently rec
ommend should there be fail
o1e 70 pass any other &C.
on this subject an appropriation Of $25, ZOO
DO made for the enforcement Of section 1853
OF the revised statutes. With the aid thus
offered me, l shall strive to execute the pro-
Visions OF that law according to tho letter and
spirit | am unwilling. in justice to
the present civil servants Of the gov
eminent, to dismiss this subject with
out declaring my dissent from the
severe and almost indiscriminate censure with
which they have boon recently assaulted. That
they are as a class indoent inefficient and
corrupt is q statement which has been often
made and widely credited; but when the ex-
tent, variety, Gollcacy and importance Of their
duties are considered. the great majority of
tho employees Of tho government are in nv
Judgment, deserving of high cOmmendNtiOn