The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-21


didate of their own party.
From President and Senators,
through all grades of writers for the
public, down to the omniscient
newspaper scribe, the reform Of the
civil service is just now the theme Of
consideration. Theorizing is as
bountiful as the sunshine; practical,
tangible suggestions, appealing to
the Judgment and the business
sense of the community, are as
scarce as are flies in mid-winter.
Political dilettante like George W.
Curtis, have filled the public ear
with the incessant drone of an ideal
civil service, and partisan politicians
have deplored the power of patron
age, and speculated on possible re-
form, with keen eve to party adj
vantage, but with dull apprehen-
sion of the necessities of the situa-
..an. Amid all this confusion of
ideas, and paucity of thought, on a
subject engrossing so much of pres
ent public attention, comes-with a
refreshing sense of noteworthiness
and practical ability-from General
Green b. Raum, the Commissioner
Of Internal Revenue, the first credit
able discussion of civil service re-
form, a recognition of the situation,
and recommendations for the estab-
lishment of regulations in the inter
est of reform, within the pale of
practical politics, that has vet come
under our observation. General
Raum has had years of experience
as the head of an important bureau
in the Treasury Department, which
by his administrative ability, busi-
ness capacity, and skill he has made
q model worthy of imitation in all
other branches of the public service.
and it is evident that he has studied
the subject of civil service reform
earnestly and carefully. His sug-
gestions are born of knowledge of
the necessities and capacities of our
present system, matured by reflec-
ton and experience, and should
have great weight with his own par
ty at least.
We have no room for the induc-
ton and arguments by which he ar
rives at his conclusions, and our
readers must therefore be content
with the following synopsis of his
ideas
I. The establishment of a term of Office of
four years for subordinate officers, clerks,
and employees.
Requiring all applicants for appoint
ment to be well Endorsed as 10 character,
and to stand proper examination as to at
tainments.
3. A temporary appointment for one
year, on trial,
4. II found worthy, the temporary officer
or clerk to be appointed for three years the
balance of regular term Of four years.
>. The officer or clerk TO be eligible for
rcappeintment.
8. As stimulus to the exercise of mark
cd capacity. fidelity, and zeal in the service,
the pay of 10 f,er cent. of the clerks of each
bureau to be increased ) per cent. upon
proper certificates at the commencement of
each fiscal year.
:. Promotions To be upon merit, ascer-
tanned by examination and certified to by
the head of the bureau.
s. Causes for removal 10 be dishonesty
! incapacity, neglect of duty, insubordination
intemperance, immortality, or inability.
! 8. Persons retiring, without fault, TO re-
ceiye an honorable discharge.
10. Subordinate officers, clerks, and EN-
! ployes. retired, without fault. after service
Of four years. TO receive retiring pay, equal
to one months pay for each year and pro
rata for each fraction of q year of service.
The principles suggested could read ! be
applied to the entire civil service -. the
country.
/ In addition to these general views
on the subject of appointments,
General Raum renews the recon-
mendation made by him in his an
nual report for the year ended June
30th, 1877, in relation to the term of
Office for Collectors, as follows:
j cal, your attention 10 the fact that the
Law creating the office of collector of inter
nal revenue ii1es no tenure to the Office In
my opinion it is altogether desirable that
the term OF this Office should be fixed at
four years. Ii often occurs that when col
iector has served for q longer period than
four years. constant efforts are being made
for his removal; and many officers bowev-
er well they may have discharged their dsi-
ties, feel, after a four years service, uncsr-
tain as to the length of time they will be re-
tained in office. Where an officer is ap-
pointed for 4 term of four years he has
/ right 20 expect that If he performs his duty
diligently aud faithfully be viii not be dis
turbed until his term expires. and this feel
ing of security ] Ecgard as an important ele-
ment in maintaining good public service
| From my limited Observation in public life,
! have come to the conclusion that when
j can reasonably be done there -hould
be fixed tenure of all officers OF the gov
ernmeut. ! have the honor TO recommend
7 that las be passed fixing the tenure Of
Office OF all collectors of internal revenue
hereafter appointed at term Of four years.
OF course We do not mean to be
understood that the suggestions of
General Raum embody the entire
sum and substance OF the much de
sired reform in our civil service, but
they are eminently practical, and
would, if adopted, be long strike
towards the solution Of the mooted