New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-10
WORK OF CONGRESS.
c,v,, SERVICE REFORM MEASURES.


prNpITToS BILL IN TUE SENATE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEl
w.suINGroN Dec. 9.-As fnalIv rel orted TO the
uouse TODAY the provisions of the substitute Tor
MIR Kasson's bill e for the better regulation OF inc
Civil Service differ in some respects from the ao
stract in to.davs TRIBUNE, mainly on account OF
the addition of the new sections.
A pcrfeced the bill is 30 apply, 80 far ms the tx
.cutiye Departments and Bureaus at Washington
and the Postal and Custo ns Service Throughout inc
country ac concerned, only 10 clerSsoi all ciaseS
and grades" 1t includes pota' clerks ana route
agents Of the Railway Mail ervice as well as c'orA'
I'm post offices where tn number OF clerks IN 'cn
mora The nrovisions of the bill do not apply to
clerks in the Civil Service OF the war ana Na'f
Departments except In WaShington nor 10 Clerks
., dennties in the Internal Revenue Service OF
under the judiciary Department, outside 'he
District of Columbia.
In making Appointments in tho Executive De-
nartments IN Washi igtoa the principle of pro-
rata appoi tionment among tn several states al"
Terri ores is to be observed. Persons Applying lor
appointment must d, so in writing, ana eacn
must state his name, age, birtnpi"co,
education. previous enploym mt places OF
residence during the last preceding n'e
wears. and certify on honor that bis apphca'loh
was comno,cd and written b. hlm ell wi'hou'
assistance. lie must also FL written recommeh Ia
lions of his neigbbors touching his moral chardc OF
and habits OF living. After DONG all these thlneS
tic annlicant Store he can rec ave an appoint-
ment. must pass a satisfac DRY examnatlon' snow
ING his fitness and good character The examlna-
lions shall be made under general regulations
aonlic,blo TO all appointments of like character to
be priuted and promulga'el by the head OF the
Executive Department under whose jurisdiction
the srry &c l. TO be rendered.
Promotions shall be based on competitive exam =
nations Al first appointments shall be prooSu'h'
ary for a period of time not less than tDIee
months nor more than one year, II
the discretion Of the appointing officer
nj the end of which time the applicant snail re-
oeive appointment for term of four years. ana
shall no; he removed during sail term excepi lot
cause as hereinafter prescribed, aud after having
rendered faithful service during said term shall be
entitled To one reapp0intment
All clerks now employed shall be retained IN ser
vice subject to the provisions of the act as to term
of eervica and reappointment
Removals may be made only for specified causes
Prior TO any removal a copy of the charges, with
specifcai 10 IS shall be delivered IN wiring TO the
person charged or left addressed to hun at his
usual place of residence, aud the time shall be spec
fled within which he shall make written reply;
proyided that the officer having authority 10 al-
polnt and remove Tor cause shall have authority IN
all cases when in his judgment the public interests
require II, TO suspend summary the
nopointee in question pending the Investigation,
and If found guilty of the charge by the appointing
authority no shall be removed rom his office, other
wise he shall continue IN the same.
The Civil Service b jard to be designated by the
p,e>id,n. shall consist of three officers who shall
have becn confirmed by the S mate, of whom not
moro thqp one shall he Ia from any one EXecu-
tive department. 10 whom in cases OF complaints Tor
removal all charges and specifications with the
answers thereto shall be rel, rrel, which board
sbsl inonire into the same, find the facts and re-
port the same in writing with their judgment th re-
on TO tie appointing officer whose decision shall he
entered upon such finding and report and according
10 the tenor thereof
The general provisions OF the law are extended TO
auplications appointments and removals to seere-
fairies Of legation and United States coHsnls; the
terms of service of such officers shall be SIX years
instead OF four years
"No officer nominated by the President and con-
6r,nel by tho Senate shall be removed from office
during his term as fixed by law except for cause OF
unftness to be reported with specifications III writ
inc 10 tbe Pre,idcn BY the chief officer oil the De-
partment under whose jurisdiction he rs serving,
and approx cd 10y the Prcsl ie't; ana the fIesnenl
may in IL such cases lcer tile charges tor INQUIRY
and fuIthrr report to the Civil Service ard mere
matter provided"
m. term oil oilice of Internal Revenue Collectors
Is fixed at four wears, but the prov slonS respecting
aiplicltiOns appointments ana removals are not
eNiended to those Offices.
The discharge OF any clerk Is au horned when
evrr m the opinion OF the chief OF the Depart Hent
or Office IA winch ne Is serving, ms emplofment Is
no longer required 10y me pune ihieres', III
which ,se iht cause shall he alleged III the nOilce
OF removal. ana no further appointment shtI nc
made IA pace Of that so vacated without special
authority therefor 10y act OF Congress.
in Inc following terms: " No senator or RepreScn a.
tive in Congress nor officer of the Government noI
member of any political committee suall 10 w1ilhg
or by print address OF cause 10 "e addressed 10 any
person holding an appointment described IN the hIo
section Of this act, nor TO any IaDoIei SMp"yed ny
The Government, any request demand or INVITA-
tiou ior a contribution of money Tor the use OF any
pol,ti,a l party, nor shall any person demand OF
invite for the use OF any political party from sucL
appoinl &c the payment of any specific sun OF
money or percentage OF his comp ehsalloh
Seton 16 provides that no senator or mem.
Der of tn ilou,e of Representatives or Judge OF
any OF the United states Courts shall solicit,
REQUEST or rec Iumend 10 the appointing officer the
app,i ltMeY Of any person 10 place gndted III
the inst section Of tins act, nor TO any place ID DC
filIcd py apDointment of the President, ullrss re-
ou std thereto in writing by The appolh me-
S.clou Il provides that any person violating n
prorl,ons OF either OF the TWO preceding set ons
thlil b. guilty OF msdeme1n ana on convict Oh
thereof shall 10 punlhh'u DS Il INC HoI 'AVo""'l's
81 900 for "a offence
III disc isoons IN the committee were not alto
gcther baImoniVuS especially IN Tofa1 ~
the term "a V4AiO'' i@A~ -
Curtin. who member oi th'
committee was very anxious that th'
tenn proposed six years. should be cut down tC
Two yrars and this was the desire of all the Other
Demo IA ic members. They evidently expect th'
advent Oi a Democratic National Administration IL
the next Two or three years, and do nOi Wm
any obstacles placed IN The way of prOmp seizure
and distribution OF the spolls by IndJony o.
one vote the term was finally liked AT -four years
IL Will loo observed thai the bill isnearly Us sigmii
cant on of omissions as IL Is by reason OF ia
contents. Political assessments OF certain sprcIcC
clerks aud Of ldbOleTs are prohibited; yct othcl
CLERK. ana Officers The Civil service land officers
deuuty coiiec Ors, gaugers, weghers stOTekeeDer
ana other subordinate officers Oh the custom