Morris tribune., 1881-12-15
questions, or BY any otner quality likely

questions, or by any otner quality likely
to be brought out by competitive ex-
animation. To make. success in such.
contest therefore, an 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 as evlncing spirit of
opposition to the competitive plan which has
been to some extent successfully employed,
and which may hereafter vindicate the claims
of its most earnest supporters. But it ought to
be seriously considered whether the appli-
cation of the same educational stand
ard to persons Of mature years,
to young men fresh from school or college
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
ofAll offices of the government above the
fairly be regarded as opponents
of the policy of the executive and the princi-
Piles 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
be wise to adopt rule SO
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 tDe66 QualltleS WHICH di0 IoVulslle TO
higher posts of duty, and besides the modes of
thought and action of one whose service
in government bureau has been long
continued are often SO cramped by routine
procedure as 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
English system is growth Of years and was
not created by single stroke of executive or
Legislative action, It's 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
its present shape. Five years after the issu-
ance of the order IN council, and at time
when 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
made report to that house, which, declaring
its approval of the competitive method, depre-
Gated, nevertheless, any precipitancy in its
| general adoption as likely to endanger its ulti-
| mate success during
TINS TENTATIVE PERIOD
| the results of the two methods of pass exami-
| nation and competitive examination was close
| w watched and compared. 1t may be that be-
| fore we contine ourselves upon this important
| question within the stringent bounds of statut-
airy enactment, we may probably await the
| result of further inquiry and experiment The
submission of portion Of the nominations to
a central board of examiners selected solely
for testing the qualification of ap-
pllesants, may perhaps without re-
| sort to the competition test
put an end to the mischief
which attends the present system of appoint
| ment, and it may be feasible to vest in such
| board wide discretion to ascertain the char
acteristics and attanments of candidates, in
these particulars which l have already re
| 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 my
earnest support, and I urgently rec
ommend should there be q fail
ore to pass any other ac'
on this subject appropriation of $50, OOO
be made for the enforcement of section 1858
| of the revised statutes. With the aid thus
offered me, shall strive to execute the pro-
visions of that law according to the letter and
spirit I am unwilling. in justice tc
the present civil servants of the gov
ernment to dismiss this subject with
| out declaring my dissent from the
severe and almost indiscriminate censure with
which they have been recently assaulted. That
they are as a class indOent, inefficient and
corrupt is statement which has been Otter
made and widely credited; but when the ex.
tent, variety, dellcacy and Importance of theil
duties are considered. the great majority OF
the employees of the government are, in my
Judgment, deserving of high commentator.