The sun., 1881-10-30
CIJ1L sERrICE REFORM.
The PInn Originated by Secretary Window
and Approved 10y President Garfield.

WAsHINaroN Oct. 29.-Mr Window said
to- day that he had given the subject OF civil
service very careful consideration during his
brief stay in tho Treasury Department. The
question had been frequently discussed with
President Garfield. who was honestly in favor
OF somo practicable system which would cor
rect the evils OF the present mode OF making
appointments The plan to accomplish this
had not been completed when the President
was assassinatod. Subsequently Mr.. Window
prepared system applicable to the Treasury
Department. and only awaited the recovery OF
President Garfield to put it in operation. Ono
OF the most obvious objections to the present
mode Of appointment is that 1t tends
to convert the departments into merely char
table institutions for supporting people who
are unable to support themselves; The eiact
roct to the President and to tho heads OF depart
ments induces great many persons to como
here with the expectation OF receiving appoints
ments who have only money enough to bri ng
them here. and who find themselves stranded
consequence is that they appeal to their Sena-
tors and members OF Congress. who feel
suffer from absolute want Tho result is that
very many OF the applications nre based wholly
upon the necessities OF ,he applicant. OF tho
partmcnt during tho last es sht months. tho Sec
rotary said he would be safe in asserting that
five sixths Of them were based upon the inabili-
ty OF the person applying To support himself.
Another objection 10 tho present system is that
s Gss se5Hc9 M is nP ana Tbsp
ple who remain at home and who. in many
cases. are the most competent to discharge tho
duties of onica positions. aro crowded out by
those who como to Washington to solicit places.
Tho plan prepared by tho Secretary was in
tended to obvinte both ot these objections. to
relievo the President and heads OF departments
from pressure and Importantly. and also to
sfTor a fair opportunity for persons in the re-
appointment. To do this 1t was proposed to
nilot to tho States respectively. as the law re-
Quires, the number OF appointments to which
they would he sevcrally entitled in the Treas
ury Department; then to APPOINT carefully
selected committee Of tGreo in each State. whose
duty II should be to meet once year. ut some
convenient place in the State. and before whom
any one deerine to enter the Government sor-
vice should have the right to present h imsel. or
herself for examination. such examination to
be practical and relate 10 the character. ex-
perienco; and eavaiiiy OF the anplicant.
pointment is desired. said committee 10 pre-
pare n list. graduated accorii to merit.
OF those who pass tho examination. and forward
the pnpers to the head Of tho department ut
Washington. Persons should be selected from
those highest on iIs Ut aud only to be sent ior
should be entitled to appointments. In making
tlrse selections. soldiers. or their wlIqws or
believed that this sy-'m woui give sntlslac-
ton. because It wou.d afford n fair distribution
10 all the States: won.d secure the best avail
AZ Washington from tho annoyance and pres
sure which nov consumes so large "A pant of
the time II the President and his Cabinet Tho
system nlso provitas trr promotions in tho de-
uartrncnt upon examination, 10 be decided by
the merit OF the applicant.
dent Garfield when a. Long Branch the week
before nc WAS assass sinated. and hc regarded 1t
coverad. some such system would have been az
pied to all tho departments. and thnt Congress
would havc been urged to provide by law tor u
thorough and complete reorganization OF the
ciNl! service.