Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-12-15
NUMBER Al.

number of Pabiic employments, is not to be
made an essential part Of our system. il Is
questionable whether the attainment
OF the highest number of marks
at competitive examination should
be the criterion by which kll applica-
tons for appointment should be put to test
aud under similar condi ions II may also be
questioned whether admission to the service
should be strictly limited to its lowest ranks.
There are very many characteristics which so
10 make up model civil servant promi-
nent among them are probity, industry
good sense, good habits good temper, patience
afdOr, courtesy, tact, seH-rCllance, manly def
erence TO superior officers. and manly
considerations for interiors. The absence Of
these traits is not supplied by wide knowl-
edge Of books, or by promputude in answering
questions, or by any other quality likely 10 be-
brought TO light by com 0etitive examination
To make success IN such contest therefore
an indispensable condition of public employ
ment. would very likely result in the practical
exclusion OF tho older applicants, even though
they might possess qualifications far superior
to their younger and more brilliant competitors
These suggestions must cot be regarded as
eylncng any spirit of opposition TO the com
petitlye plan, which has been, TO ome extent
successfully employed already, ami which NAV
hereafter V.ndlcate the claims OF Its most
earnest supporters, but il ought 10 be seriously
considered whether the application of the same
educational standard TO persons of mature
years, as to young men fresh from school and
college, would not be likely to exalt more
intellectual, proficiency above other qualities
OF equal or greater Importance.
Another feature Of the proposed system,
the selection by promotion OF all officers Of the
Government above the lowest grade, EXCEPT !
such az would fairly be regarded as opponents |
OF the policy Of the Executive and the prinei- |
pies Of the dominant party, to AFFORD encour-
aSelnent To faithful public seryante by exciting
In their minds the hope OF promotion, Il they |
are found 10 merit 1t, is much to be desired, /
but would il be farclol to adopt a rule SO |
rigid as to permit no other mode of supply |
ing the intermediate wants of the service /
There are many persons who I'LL subor- |
dinate positions with great credit, hut lack |
those qualities which are requisite for the |
higher posts OF duty, and, beside the modes Of /
thought and ACTON OF one whose service in q /
Government bureau has been long and contin- |
ned are often SO cramped by routine proceed |
ure as almost TO disqnahfy him from instituting |
changes required by The public interests, and |
infusion OF new blood from time to time into |
the mi.die ranks Of the service might he very /
beneficial in Its results. The subject under d. |
eusslon is one of grave importance. The evils |
winch are complained Of cannot be erAdicated |
at once. The work must be gradual.
The present English system is a growth of |
years, and Was not created by a single stroke |
of executive or legislative action. Its To- |
glDnlnSs are found ia an order in council pro- |
mulgated in 1855, and it was after patient and |
cautious scrutiny Of its workings that fifteen |
years later, It took It's present shape. Five |
years after the issuance OF the order in council
ana at tune when resort had been had TO com |
peitlve examination as an experiment much |
more extensively than has vet been the case in /
this country, a select committee of the (,
House of Commons made report to that |
House, which, declaring its approval of the |
competitive method. deprecated, nevertheless |
any prtcjpltancy III lis general adoption. |
"a likely to endanger its ultimate success |
During this tentative period the results Of |
the two methods of class examination ana /
competitive examination were closely /
watched and compared. 1t may be that bo- |
foro We conhne ourselves upon this import |
ant question within the stringent bounds of /
statutory enactment, We NAV pohtablv |
await the result of further inquiry and ex- |
pertinent. The submission OF portion cf |
the nominations to central board OF |
examiners selected solely for testing the quail.
Il atious OF applicants, may, perhaps, without |
resort 10 the competitive test, put an end to |
the mischief which attends the present system |
OF appointment, and II may lie feasible to vert |
IN such board wide discretion, to ascertain
tho characteristics and attaiumCnts OF camel |
dates Ia those particulars which | nave already |
referred to as being no less important than
mere intellectual altainments. Ii Congress
shouid deem 1t advisable AT the present session
10 estab Isl competitive tests for admission Ia
INC strYltt' 10 aQl-fS siich as nave been suE-
gested shall deter me from giginA
the measure my earnest support
and urgently recommend, should there be 4
feliurc 70 lass any ututr act upon tAis subject
tDat an appropriation Of S25. Goa per year ma,
be nude for the enforcement Of sertton L. 53 |
OF nc Revised Statutes. With the aid thus ai-
ftrded me. [ shall strive to execute The pro- |
VISIONS Of that law according to its letter al, |
spirit.
/ am unwilling, ia Justice 10 tue present civil |
service Of the Government, TO dislu.ps this sub
ject without declaring my dissent from the |
severe and almost iDdiscr inmate censure with /
which they have been recently assaulted that /
they are, Is q cias, INDECENT, inefficient, cor |
rupt, a statement which has been often made /
and widely circulated but, when the extent,
variety delicacy and importance OF their duties /
are considered the great majority Of tho en- |
pioycs of the Government are, IN NY judgment, |
deserving Of high commentator.