New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-12
THEHOUsE COMMITTEES BILL.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE YESTERDAY.
WASHINGTON Dec. 11.-Although the Civil Ser
vice bill is the special order in the House tomorrow,
its consideration will not then be begun owing 10
the inability Of the committee to get the report
ready in time to be printed. This delay appears to
have been unavoidable, and was certainly not due
to any lack of interest or industry the part Of
Chairman Kasson, who prepared the report adopted
by the committee to-day. This contains some feat
ures Of interest 1t opels with a general discus
sion of the subject as follows:
The evils Of system Of patronage in appointments
the civil service arc admitted on ali sides. Tao
pute and numerous as tho shades Of opinion on
the subject IN the country at large They cover the
whole range, from life tenure Of appointments TO
mOval al Will OF the appointing power; from ap-
pOnments at VIII with patronage, to appointments ire
spectve OF location, OF Ouly the most learned who sial
apply. The committee believe that no bll based
on either extreme method can pass the House They re-
port bill which pgTsues middle cOursc, alter the ap
picatiOn of which to the departments affected by IL s
can be better known uow Inucn further il will be both fe
and expedient to go.
II adopted believed it will wholly aud absolutely
bers OF Congress and also the pressure of political as
Ii ma we're all II would be- much To accorIDlsn Ihe
bill, however, goes further. 1t provides for
nent IN question by specal boards away from the per-
sona pressure oi executive authority l preserves
right recognition "a app0in menis ot an parts OF tho
ia the candidate presenting himself. Once appointed,
promotion Is TO be made by competitive examination
Il prohibits removals OIEng tenure Oi ONCE except Tor
cause specified
A minute synopsis of the provisions Of tho bill! iS
given following which the reasons why tho
committee ihlnk It unwise TO bring DJstmasters of
tile lower gra les (which comprise the vast majority
of all such oicers under the protection OF the law.
The report says;
provision IN the bill touching appointment
and removal OF pJstlnasters receiving cpmptnsatlOn
lesj than $1,000 per anuuIn. In attempting % provide
extension OF the same provisions 10 Include tnein,
the cOmuttec are confronted Dy dncultos apparently
insurnOuntaOe THESE Ostmaolcrb are ycry numerous
body, generally furnish their OWN rooms and pD ther
own rent In most cases Change or location by order
OF the Departiuent Involves change of postluaster
follow tie oice Ia thc rapid development west - me
Aleghauios Offices must he removed conveniently 10
railroad stations aud other new centres. WReu tho
business concentrates, star route, are dlseontinsi and
changed pJ7.Oiilccs must change WIN the,n we can
A Iule Hppieaoe 70 aSSiOn ion - "no.o @
centres Of population do not change anu hnes Oh con-
muncatiOn complete would DO toially ihappc-D.s
To a reg on where al, Is new and changing.
The only rule perhaps. watch can be universally ap
So removed political reasons-a rule laJ!o TO
abuse hat tho committee hesitate 10 adopt H. There are
alsO other officers, not numerous those
provided for ks pee& asents oi tho dlerrpt DEBATE
Lar business to 90 supcrntended BY them tne moso
essential qualification Ihcy are the eyes anl ears o. tle
OF he Department Bureau. 70 seems to must have
the liberty VI the selection 10 bo made as the! 20 csre
lly concern the integrty and sacoess OF his admnis
raton. Nor do the committee deem 1t necessary 10 as
that, when Congress shdh nhNe ueeihtcd Tar
reaching principle general reform In tho Cy serycs
the chief executive Ola Department will necessarily be
the enemy OF lis application IN his Ju .sdiction.
We rather assume Inat, finding Ia thc law me
spirit Oi reform everywhere, thc very fact tat some
discretion Is ls to hd Ia It's application wigbud alike
his discretion aId honor 70 follow IN all his action
the path OF retoun not 0niy his honor and the public
welfare Dut also comfort III administration Will
compel hm 20 that line OF duty aed 10 the retention ofa
faithful officer iE the service.
question: aud OF the tact that this measure vii meet
most accessible bssis OF agreement hnd requiring
least saorneo OF opposing methods OF legisia,
ton, Rash and excessive innoyatiSns; reQuirea
perhaps by porlest theory but founded on oxpeg-
once IN public aars far moro likely u dersnse Tue
publc service Than TO improve IL Your COMMITTEE rSs
port The pin not rs perfect sys.em which WI reauSe