The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-05
CIVIL. SERVICE REFORM.


There is in the city OF New York Civil
Service Reform Association which is doing
good in various ways. In one instance 1t
went to work vigorously upon one General
n. N. Curtis, and hunted him out of his
place as an employee OF the United States
Government for having Violated the law, in
that while special agent of the Treasury
Department for the examination of charges
and commissions" he requested and accept
ed assessments from the employees of the
New York Custom House for political pur-
poses, thereby violating the United
States statute, sec. 6, chap. PSI, 1876,
which appears on page 247. General Curtis,
while holding his office by appointment of
the Secretary OF the Treasury at salary OF
$500 month, was elected Treasurer of the
Republican State Committee. and was guilty
of violation OF the law, and the facts were
made so clear that he was subsequently in
dicted and dismissed from the service.
True. General Curtis did not sign the assess
ing circulars. but as Treasurer of the Repub-
lican Committee he received and discussed
the funds illegally obtained, and hence was
discharged and indicted. If in every city IN
the United States a Civil Service Re-
form Association was in operation
men of the style of General Curtis
would be speedily brought to a realizing
sense that they can not violate PLAIN stat
ute with impunity. But we can only be
thankful for an occasional vindication OF
the law, and hope that in the progress of
events competency, and not patronage, will
be the test of employment in all depart
ments of the Government. The system of
competitive examinations and appoint
ments began in the New York Custom
House March G. 1879, and up to August 1,
1881, LOT applicants had been examined
"At present" says the report before us,
"there are ], 213 public servants in the Gus
tom House, with salaries amounting to 81,
795. Ss5 per annum; LOTT of these. with
salaries amounting to S1,6S0, $50, are ap-
pointed on competitive examinations. In
the remaining 196 are comprised the Col
lector, Deputy Collectors Naval Officer,
Deputy Naval Officers, Surveyor, Apprais-
ers, Engineers, Ushers, laborers etc. The
following is the list of officers who were
under the examination rules in October,
1880. The examinations are hon.
estIy conducted and are held quarterly,
and every applicant, without regard to pol
itics has fair show. The following in
cludes the subjects upon which applicants
are examined, viz: "Dictation, including
orthography, notation and Enumeration, ad-
dition, fractions, applied problems, ac-
counts, geography, history and government,
grammar. syntax. letter and brief and pen
manship" And the following are few of
the questions submitted in recent adj
mission and examination:
What is the sum of 3O7 milliOnths, 5614 ten-thou-
sandths. 6SM hundredths. 5hundred-thousandths
256A tenths. 1s54 ten-millionths, S75 units?
At s0125 per pound, how much sugar can be
bought for 1926!
An invoice of railway bars specifies 1922 bars
127 feet long. weighing sixty pounds to the yard.
What will the duty amount to at the rate OF
seventy cents per 100 pounds'
certain invoice amounting to fSS4 IS. Sd. is
subject to a discount of ~ per cent. What is the
payable amount in United States currency, the
pound sterling being worth si.s665?
|
United States from South America?
Name the fveimportant battles OF the rebellion.
In what does treason against the United States
consist
In gramner. Correct the following sentences:
/ "A ship sails splendid.
His time as well as his money were lost.
/ II was arranged between he and l.
Letter-Describe the City of New YORK.
When examinations occur for promotion the
following are some OF the questions submitted:
1. What department of the customs first as
sumes charge of vessels arriving from foreign
ports?
.. What kind of papers authorizes the dis
charge and delivery OF cargoes of merchandise?
8. What disposition is made of unclaimed
goods2
L. Explain the difference between bonded
warehouse" general order stores and ZAP
prissers storess"
5. In which division of the Custom House ar,
duties first estimated and in which finally ad
j1sted?
6. What are the duties and objects OF tn
Weigher's department.
!. What Is done with goods fraudulently i'm
ported in violation OF the revenue laws?
What is the manifest OF a vessel.
Letter-Describe your duties in the position nov
held BIZ you and state their relations TO the who'll
course of business I'm the Custom House. explain
I ing as far as possible the nature and purpose o
, such papers and accounts as come before you.
The following examples are given of sew
J eral examinations. and no applicant is az
pointed unless he secures the minimum
IS per cent. of the maximum work.