The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-15

questions. or BY any otner quality likely
to be brought out BY competitive. e.
animation To make success In su6h 8
contest therefore, On indispensable condition Of
the practical exclusion of the older applicants,
even though they might possess qualifications
far superior to their younger and more bril-
liant competitors. These suggestions must
not be regarded a. evincing . spirit Of
opposition to the competitive plan which has
and which may hereafter vindicats the claims
Of it's most earnest supporters But it ought to
be seriously considered whether the appli-
cation Of the same educational stand
:d to msn fresh o6 s %are o yHss
would not be likely to exalt mere intellectual
proficiency above other qualities of equal or
greater Importance. Another feature of the
proposed system is the selection by promotion
Of all Offices Of the government above the
sS ,s GRADE bs ,s ssss '1:s xs@s
Of the 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 if they are
found to be as much desired; but would it
rigid as to permit no other mode Of
supplying the intermediate walks of the
servants? There are many persons who fill
subordinate positions with great credit, but
lack these qualities which are requisite to
higher posts OF duty, and besides the modes of
thought and action Of one whose service
in q government. bureau has been long
continued are often so cramped by routine
procedure % almost to disqualify him from
instituting changes required BY public inter
to time to the middle ranks of the
service might be very beneficial in
its results. The subject under discussion
is one of grave Importance The evils which
are complained Of cannot be eradicated ut once.
The work must be gradual. The present
not created by q single stroke Of executive or
legislative action. Its beginning was found in
an order in council promulgated in 1855, and
1t was after patient and cautious scrutiny of its
working that fifteen years later it took
it's present shape. Five years after the issu-
whom resort was had to competitive examina-
ton as an experiment, much more extensively
than has yet been the case in this country
select committee of the house Of commons
its approval'of tho competitive method, depre-
Gated, nevertheless, any precipitancy in its
general adoption as likely to endanger it's ulti-
mate success during
THIS TENTATIVE PERIOD
the results of the two methods Of pass exami-
nation and competitive examination was close
ly watched and compared. 1t may be that be-
fore we confine ourselves upon this important
question within the stringent bounds of statut-
ary enactment, we may proftably await the
result of further inquiry and experiment. The
submission of portion of the nominations to
central board of examiners selected solely
for testing the qualification of ap-
part to may the perhaps anmne Without t ss
put an end to the mischief
which attends the present system of appoint
ment, and it may be feasible to vost IN such
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 If congress should
deem it advisable at the present session to es-
tablish competitive tests for admission to the
service, no doubts such as have been suggested
shall deter me from giving the measure nv
earnest support, and I urgently rec
ommend should there be fail
ore to pass any other act
on this subject an appropriation of $25, 900
be made for the enforcement of section 1853
OF the revised statutes With the aid thus
offered me, 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
ernment to dismiss this subject with
severe and almost indiscriminate censure with
which they have been recently assaulted That
they are az a class INDECENT, inefficient and
corrupt is statement which has been often
made and widely credited; but when the ex-
tent, variety, dellcacy and importance of their
duties are considered. the great majority of
the employees of tile government are, in my
Judgment, deserving Of high commentator.