Connecticut western news., 1881-12-14

| AhS Oaluf0J 1s IOCA, hS a ulSeau pOIAOO , from which to estimate in each case ) an average amount of arrears, it is found that every case allowed would P require, for the first payment upon it, , the sum of 1850 dollars. Multiplying this amount by the whole number of
 probable admissions gives $250, GOO, GOO
 as the sum required for first payments. This represents the sum which must be
 paid upon claims which were filed be-
 fore July 1, 1880, and are now pending
 and entitled to the benefits of the I Arrears Act. From this amount ($250, .
 COG, ,000) may be deducted from ten to
 fifteen millions for, cases where, the
 claimant dying, there is no person who I under the law would be entitled to the
 pension, leaving $235. GOO, 900 as the probable amount to be paid, -"
 CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
 In my letter of acceptance of the
 nomination for Vice-P President, stated
 that in my judgment s'no man should
 be an incumbent of an office the duties
 of which he is, for any cause, unfit to
 perform; who is lacking in the ability,
 fidelity, or integrity which proper
 administration of such office demands"
 This sentiment would doubtless meet
 with general acceptance, but opinion
 has been widely divided upon the
 wisdom and practicability of the
 various reformatory schemes which
 have been suggested, and of certain
 proposed regulations governing ap-
 pointments to public office. ', The eff
 ciency of such regulations has been
 distrusted, mainly because they have
 seemed to exalt mere educational and
 abstract tests above general business capacity, and even special fitness for the particular work in hand. It seems
 to me that the rules which should be applied to the management of the pub- lic service may properly conform in the main to such as regulate the conduct of successful private business. Original appointments should be based upon as- certained fitness. ..,,' ,.c
 The tenure of office should be stable. Positions of responsibility should, so far as practicable, be filled by, the, pro- motion of worthy and efficient officers. The investigation of all complaints, and the punishment of all official miscon- duct, should be prompt and thorough. The views expressed in the foregoing letter are those which will govern my administration of the Executive Office. They are doubtless shared by all intelli- gent and patriotic citizens, however di- vergent in their opinions as to the bes3 methods of putting them into practical operation. ,rfs.7yJ ea. g.' .Y'-selE
 For example, the assertion that Original appointments should be based upon ascertained fitness" is not open to dispute. But the question how, ill practice, such fitness can be most of so ,l Io. for years excited interest and discussion. The measure which, with slight yaria- tions in its details, has lately been urged Executive has as its principal feature the scheme of competitive examina- tion, save for certain exceptions which need not here be specified, this plan would apply to the service only in it's lowest grade, and would accordingly demand that all vacancies in the higher posi- tions should be filled by promotion alone. In these particulars it is in con- formity with the existing civil service system of Great Britain. And, indeed, the success which has attended that sys- tenn in the country of its birth is the strongest argument which has been urged for its adoption here. r
 The fact should not, however, be over- looked that there are certain, features of the English system which have not generally been received with favor in this country, even among the foremost advocates of civil service reform.
 Among them are: ,.'... ,,.,-, .,.,,t,
 1. A tenure of office which is substan- tially life tenure. '-
 2. A limitation of the maximum age at which an applicant can enter the ser vice, whereby all men in middle life, or older, are, with some exceptions, rigidly excluded.
 8. A retiring allowance upon going out of office. ae,s- .ss -..--. ..0.'.
 These three clements are as important factors of the problem as 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 is to in- duce the educated young men of the country to devote their lives to public employment by an assurance that, hay ing entered upon it, they need never leave it, and that after voluntary retire. ment they shall be the recipients of an annual pension. That this system as an entirety has proved very suc- cessful in Great Britain seems to be generally conceded, even by those who once opposed it's adoption.
 To afford encouragement to faithful public servants, by exciting in their minds the hope of promotion if they are found to merit it, is much to be de- sired, but would it be wise to adopt a rule so rigid as to permit no other mode of supplying the intermediate walks of the service? There are many persons who fill subordinate positions with great credit, but lack those qualities which are requisite for higher posts of duty. Besides, the modes of thought and action of one whose service in govern mental bureau has been long continued are often so cramped by routine procedure as almost to disqualify him from insti- tuting changes required by the public interest, and infusion of new blood from time to time into the middle ranks of the service might be very beneficial in it's results. The subject under discus sion is one of grave importance. The evils which are complained of cannot oe eradicated at once. The work must oe gradual. The present English sys- em is growth of years, and was not created by 8 single stroke of executive 'r legislative action. Its beginninRs Ire found in an Order in Council pro nulgated in 1855, and it was after pa- ient and cautious scrutiny of its work ngs that fifteen years later it took its present. shape.
 Five years after the issuance of the Order in Council, and at time when esort had been had to competitive ex- as an experiment. much more than has yet been the case n this country, a select committee of he House of Commons made & report to