Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-07

the public to fix on an expedient for immediate
and extensive application, which embraces GER
tain features Of the English system, but excludes
or ignores others OF equal Importance, may be
seriously doubted even by those who are i'm
pressed, as am myself, with the grave impor-
lance OF correcting the evils which inhere in the
| present methods OF appointment II, for exam
| pie, the English rule which shuts out persons
above the age of twenty-five years from large
number OF public employments, Is not to be
made an essential part OF our system, II Is ques-
| tionabe whether the attainment OF the highest
number OF marks at competitive examination
| should be the criterion by which all applications
for appointment should be put to test And
under similar conditions It'll 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
model civil servant. Prominent among them are
probity, industry, good sense, good habits, good
temper, patience ORDER courtesy, tact, seli-reli-
ance, manly Difference to superior officers and
manly consideration for interiors. The absence
OF these traits is not supplied by wide knowl-
edge OF books OF by promptitude In answering
questions, or by any other quality likely to be
brought to light by the competitive examination.
| 10 make success in such a contest therefore,
an indispensable condition OF public employment
would very likely result In the practical exclu-
sion 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 az
evincing any spirit Of opposition to the COM
petitive plan which has been to some extent sue
cesslully employed already, and which may
hereafter vindicate the claims Of its most earnest
| supporters. But 1t ought to be seriously consid-
cred whether the application of the same educa-
tional standard to persons Of mature years and to
young men fresh from school and college. would
not be likely to exalt mere intellectual proficiency
| above other qualities of equal or greater import
ance. Another feature of the proposed system is
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
uplia nft ln md thn A. 81
dominant party. To afford encouragement to
faithful public servants by exciting in their minds
the hope of promotion II they are found to merit
it, is much to be desired. But would 1t be wise
to adopt rule 40 rigid as to permit no other mode
OF supplying the intermediate walks Of the ser
vice? There are many persons who fill the
subordinate positions with 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 a govern
ment bureau has been long continued, are
often so cramped by routine procedure as TO
almost disqualify him from insttuting the 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 COM
planned OF can not be eradicated at once. The
work must be gradual. The present English sys-
TEN lisa growth of years and was not created by
single stroke OF executive or legislative action,
Its beginnings found In order to council
promulgated in 1855, and it was after patient and
cautious scrutiny OF its working that fifteen years
later 1t took its present shape. Five years after
the issuance OF the order in council and at a
time when resort had been had to competitive ex-
aminations an experiment much more extern
sivey than has yet been the case In this country
a select committee OF the house of commons
made a report to that house which, declining its
approval of the competitive method, deprecated
it. Nevertheless any precipitancy In its general
adoption Is likely to endanger its ultimate sue
cess. During this tentative period the results OF
the two methods of pass examination and competi-
tive examination were closely watched and COM
pared. 1t may be that before we confine ourselves
upon this important question within the stringent
bounds OF statutory enactments, we may profit
ably await the result of further inquiry and
experiment The submission OF a portion OF the
nominations to a central board OF examiners
selected solely for testing the qualifications of
applicants, may perhaps without resort to the
competitive test put an end to the mischiefs
which attend the present system Of appointments
and 1t may be feasible to vest in such board a
wide discretion, to ascertain the characteristics
and attachments of candidates in these particu-
lars which have already referred to, as being no
less important than mere intellectual attachments
II congress should deem 1t advisable at the pres
ent session to establish competitive tests for adj
mission to the service, no doubts such as have
been suggested shall deter me from giving the
measure my earnest support, and | earnestly
recommend that should there be a failure to pass
any other act upon this subject, that an appro-
priation OF $3.50 900 per year may be made for the
utes. With the aid thus afforded me, | shall
strive to execute the provisions OF that law ac-
cording to its letter and spirit. am unwilling, In
justice to the present civil servants Of the gov
eminent, to dismiss this subject without declar-
ing my dissent from the severe and almost indis-
criminate censure with which they have been re-
Gently assaulted. That they are as a class indo-
lent inefficient and corrupt is statement which
has been often made and widely credited. But
when the extent, variety delicacy and import
ance of their duties are considered, the great
majority of the employees of the government are
in my judgment, deserving OF high commentator
OUR MERCHANT MARINE
In continuing, the decline OF the merchant ma
rine of the United States is to be greatly deplored
In view of the fact that we furnish so large a
proportion of the freights OF the commercial world
and that our shipments steadily and rapidly in
creasng, it is cause OF surprise that not only are
our navigation interests diminishing, but are less
than when our exports and imports were not half
so large as now, either In bulk or value There
must be some peculiar hndrance to the develop
ment of this interest, the enterprise and energy
OF American mechanics and capitalists would have
kept this country at least abreast OF our rivals In
the friendly contest for ocean supremacy. The
substitution of iron for wood and OF steam for sail
has wrought great revolutions in the carrying
trade of the world, but these changes could not
have been adverse TO America II we had given to
our navigation interests a portion OF the aid and
protection which have boon so wisely bestowed
upon our manufactures. commend the whole
SUBJECT 10 tue WISDOM Oh CONGRESS, with tne suB-
gesiion that no question Of greater magnitude or
further reaching Importance can engage their
attention
SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS.
In 1875 the supreme court Of the United States
declared unconstitutional the statutes of certain
states which imposed upon ship owners or con-
signees tax OF a dollar and half for each pas
senger arriving from foreign country, and in
lieu thereof required bond to indemnify the state
and local authorities against expense for the fu-
ture relief or support Of such passenger. Since
this decision the expense attending the care
and supervision Of immigrants has fallen on the
state at whose ports they are landed. As a large
majority OF such immigrants Immediately upon
their arrival proceed to the inland states and ter
rtories to seek permanent homes, 1t is manifestly
unjust to impose upon the state whose shores
they first reach the burden which 1t now bears.
For this reason, and because of the national i'm
| nnrtanca of the auhiect [ recommend legislation