The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-09

an applicant can enter the service, whereby
all men in middle life or under are, with
some exceptions, rigidly excluded. Third, .
retiring allowance upon going out OF Office.
These three elements are as important
factors OF the problem az any of the Others
To eliminate them from the English System
would effect most radical change IN its
theory and practice. The avowed purpose Of
that system IL to induce the educated young
men Of the country to devote their lives 10
public employment, by an assurance that,
having once entered upon 1t, they need never
leave IT, and that after voluntary retirement
they shall be recipients OF an annual pension.
That this system, as an entirety, has proved
very successful, in Great Britain seems to
be generally conceded, even by those who once
opposed its adoption. To a statute, which
should incorporate all its essential features,
but whether it would be for the
best interests Of the public to fix
upon an expedient, for immediate and
extensive application which embraces certain
features of the English system, but excludes or
ignores others of equal importance. may be
seriously doubted even by those who are Inn
pressed, as am myself, with the grave import
ance OF correcting the evils which inhere IN the
present methods of appointment. II, for ex-
ample, the English rule, which shuts out per-
sons above the age OF 20 years from large
number of pubic employments, Is not TO be
made an essential part of our system, it Is
questionable whether the attainment
Of the highest number OF marks
at competitive examination should
be the criterion by which all applca-
tons for appointment should be put to test !;
and under similar conditions 1t may also be
questioned whether admission to the service
should be strictly limited to its lowest ranks.
There are very many characteristics which go
TO make up model civil servant proml-
nent among them are probity, industry,
good sense, good habits, good temper, patience,
ardor, courtesy, tact, self-roliance, 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 promptitude in answering
questions, or by any other quality likely TO be
brought to light by com oettive examination.
To make success in such a contest, therefore,
an indispensable condition of public employ
ment would very likely result in the practical
exclusion of the older applicants even though
they might possess qualifications far superior
to their younger and more brilliant competitors.
These suggestions must not be regarded as
evincing any spirit OF opposition to the COM
petitive plan, which has been, to some extent,
successfully employed already, and which may
hereafter vindlcate the claims of its most
earnest supporters, but it ought to be seriously
considered whether the application of the same
educational standard 10 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 as would fairly be regarded as opponents
of the policy of the Executive and the princi-
Piles Of the dominant party, To afford encour-
agement to faithful public servants by exciting
in their minds the hope Of promotion, if they
30 - 20. h.a ,..I
but would it be farclol to adopt rule SO
rigid as to permit no other mode Of supply
ing the intermediate wants OF the service
There are many persons who till subor-
dinate positions with great credit, but lack
those qualities which are requisite for the
higher posts OF duty, and, beside the modes of
thought and action OF one whose service III q
Government bureau has been long and contin-
ued, are often 80 cramped by routine proceed
ure as almost 10 disqualify him from instituting
changes required by the public interests, and
infusion OF new blood from time TO time into
the middle ranks Of the service might be very
beneficial in Its results. The subject under dis
cussion is one OF grave Importance. The evils
which are complained OF cannot be eradicated
at once. The work must be gradual.
The present English system il growth Of
years, and was not created by single stroke
Of executive or Legislative action. Its be-
ginnings are found in an order in council pro-
cautious scrutiny of its workings that, fifteen
years later, 1T took its present shape. Five
years after the Issuance OF the order III council
and at a time when resort had been had 10 COM
petitive examination an experiment much
more extensively than has yet been the in
this country, q select committee of the
House Of Commons made report to that
House, which, declaring its approval of the
competitive method, deprecated, nevertheless
any precipitancy III its general adoption,
as likely to endanger its ultimate success.
During this tentative period the results of
the two methods of class examination and
competitive examination were closely
watched and compared. 1t may be that be-
fore we confine ourselves upon this import
ant question within the stringent bounds of
statutory enactment, we may piottably
await the result of further inquiry and ex-
pertinent. The submission of a portion Of
the nominations 20 central board of
examiners selected solely for testing the quail
icatioDs Of applicants, may, perhaps, without
resort to the competitive test put an end to
the mischief which attends the present system
Of appointment, and il may be.feasible TO vest
in such a board q wide discretion, To asceT tain
the characteristics and attainmcnts Of candi-
dates in those particulars which 1 have already
referred to as being no less important than
mere intellectual aItainments. If Congress
should deem it advisable at the present session
to establish competitive tests for admission to
the service no doubts such as have been sug-
gested shall deter me from giving
the measure my earnest support,
and urgently recommend, should there be a
failure To pass any other act upon this subject,
that an appropriation of S25 600 per year may
be made for the enforcement Of section /, 1853
of the Revised Statutes. With the aid thus af-
forded me. 1 shall strive to execute the pro-
visions OF that law according to its letter and
spirit.
i am unwilling, in justice to the present civil
service of the Government, TO dismiss this SUBJ
ject without declaring my dissent from the
severe and almost indiscrminate censure with
which they have been recently assaulted that
they are, as a class, INDECENT, inefficient, cor
rupt, is 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 the en-
ployes Of the Government are, in my judgment,
deserving Of high commentator.
THE MERCHANT SERVICE.
The continuing decline of the merchant ma
rine OF the United States is to be greatly de-
plorcd. In view Of the fact that we furnish &c
large proportion Of the freights of the COM
mercial world, and that our shipments are
steadily and rapidly increasing, it il a cause OF
surprise that not only is our navigation interest
diminishing, but 1t is less than when our ex.
ports and imports were not half so large al
now, either in bulk or value. There must be
some peculiar hindrance to the development