Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-16
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM,


President Arthur has just given ncw and
striking proof of the sincerity Of his advocacy
OF civil service reform by a very important
change in the eighth rule of the commission.
AS established by the commission the eighth
rule merely prohibits "any inquiry on the
part OF the commissioners or examiners con.
corning political or religious utilization and
oil discrimination" by them by reason thereof
II known. But it did not in terms touch the
appointing power IN that regard. As four
persons were presented to the appointing
power as suitable for appointment there was
still chance, if the appointing power was
not in sympathy with the reform, to base the
selection of one of the four on political con-
sidera,ions. President Arthur has removed
this by amending the eighth rule 80 that it
now distinctly prohibits the appointing pow.
or in every department and in every custom
house and postoflcc TO which the rule an.
plies, from making any ST lection for appoint
ment by reason of any political or religious
opinion or utilization. The full siguitic lnce
OF this change can only be appreciated
In the light OF the fact that the
twenty-sccond rule make any viola
ton OF either n good cause for removal
and OF the further fact that the civil service
act authorizes the commission to investigate
and report concerning the enforcement of
the act in such particulars. The President
has also inserted in the rules provision that
competitive examinations for promotion in
the service shall be introduced 50 far as they
MAJ be deemed useful. All that civil ser.
vice reformers have ever asked was fair
trial of their plan, and the present admins
trallon certainly seems disposed TO make
such q trial
AS to the operation of the civil service
rules the Washington correspondent OF the
New York Evening Post says; THE civil
service commission has entered upon its
duties SO quietly that very little noise has
been made in the ne Sspapers about its do
lngs." lie reports ''lhat the Washington
departments are all working upon the plan
OF making appointments only from lists of
candidates who have been examined aud re-.
commended by the commission, and that
great revolution has thus been accomplished
without friction or jar" And he adds
There would prevail feeling of complete
security among the department clerks against
loss OF place for want of political backing,
or as result of changesiin the higher Offices, |
were it not for the apprehension that the |
new reform is mot firmly rooted enough to |
survive Democratic administration. The |
perpetuity and extension of civil service re. |
form seems to depend upon the defeat of |
the Democrats in 1.-THE coming presidential |
canvass"
1t really begins TO look .as though the civil
service reform had come to stay. The trouble
with President Arthur's predecessors in Of
flee has been much tho sane as with some
Vcrmonters in respect to tho prohibitory law
they were in favor of the law, but opposed
to its enforcement. With President thor.
oughly in favor of the law and determined to
carry out its principles without fear or favor
the reform will get a good start and a very
brief experience of its beneficial operation.
will, VIC are confident, SO firmly establish 1t
in public favor that even Democratic ad.
If we should unfortunately be
afflicted with one, will not dare oveiturn 1t,