The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-12-16

coded even by those who once OBJ
posed its adoption. To a statute
which should incorporate its essential
| features. should feel bound to give
my approval. But whether it would
be for the best interests of the pub
lie to fix upon an expedient for
i'm mediate 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 impressed, as am my
| self, with the grave importance Of
correcting the evils which lie in the
present methods of appointment. If,
for example, the English rule which
shuts out persons above the age of
twenty-five years from large num-
Der of public employments is not
made an essential part of our own
system, it is questionable whether the
attainment of the highest number of
marks in competitive examination
should be the theory on which all ap-
plications for appointment should be
put under test and similar conditions.
1t may also be questioned whether
admission to the service. should be strictly
limited to the lowest ranks. There are very
| many characteristics which go to make . mod
bity, industry, good sense. good habits. good
temper, patience, order, courtesy, tact, self
reliance and manly Difference to superior Oh
The absence of these traits is not supplied by
wide knowledge of books or by promptitude
in answering questions, or any other quality
examination. To make success in such con-
tests therefore an indispensable, condi-
ton of public employment sS y.nst;s., would very
| of the older applicants, even though they
might possess qualifications far supe-
rior to their younger and more bril-
liant competitors. These suggestions
must not be regarded as evidence of
any spirit of opposition to the COM
petitive plan, which has been to some
and which may hereafter vindicate
the claim of its earnest supporters.
But it ought to be seriously consider
ed whether the application of some
educational standard to persons of the
mature class and young men fresh
from school and college, would not be
likely to exalt mere intellectual pro-
ficiency above other qualities of equal
or greater Importance. Another fea-
ture Of the proposed system is
the selection by promotion of
all officers of the Government above
the lowest grades except such as
would fairly be regarded as opponents
of the policy of the Executive, or OF
the principles of the dominant party.
To afford encouragem to faithful
public servants by exciting in their
are found to merit it is much to be de-
sired would 1T be wise to adopt rule
SO rigid as to permit no other manner
Of supplying the intermediate wants
OF the service. There are many per-
sons who will fill subordinate posi-
tions with great credit, but lack those
qualities which are requisite for the
highest posts of duty, and because the
modes Of thought and action of one
has been long continued are often so
cramped by routine procedure
as almost to disqualify him
from instituiiny changes required by
the public interest, an 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 discussion is one of
grave Importance; the evils which
are complained of can't be eradicated
at once the work must be gradual.
Itmay be that before we contine our
selves upon this important question
within the stringent bounds of statu-
tory enactment we may profit by the
result of further inquiry and expert
ment. The submission of portion
of the nominations to central board
OF examiners SeleCIc(l sOlcly LOT teSL-
ing the qualification of applicants.
may perhaps. without resort to
the competitive test, put an end
to the mischief which attends
the system of appointments, and
it may be feasible to vest in snch
Board a wide discretion to ascertain
the characteristics and attachments of
candidates in those particulars which
1 have already referred to as being
more important than mere attain
ments. IT Congress should deem it
advisable, at the present session. to
establish competitive examinations
COR admission to the service, no
doubts, such as have been suggested,
shall deter me from giving the meas
ure lny earnest support, and urgent
ly recommend, should there be fail
ure to pass any other Act upon this
ubject that an appropriation of $685.
600 per year may be made for the en-
forcement of section 1853 of the Re-
vised Statutes. With the aid thus af-
forded me. l shall strive to execute the
provisions of the law according to its
letter. am un willing in justice to the pres
emit civil servants Of this Governments to dis
miss this subject without declaring my dis
sent from the severe and almost indisorimi-
nate censure with which they have been re-
Gently assailed. That they are rs q class in
which has often been m ade and widely credit
ed, but when the extent, variety, delicacy and
Importance of their duties are con sidered, the
great majority of the employees Of the Gov