The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-06


The bill ITO regulate and improve the
civil service" which, Notwithstanding
violent Democratic opposition, has pass
ed both Houses Of Congress. and is now
before the President, has been much dis.
cussed, but there Is some Misrepresentation
touching some Of its important features.
Legislation which contemplates 80 radical
= change in the method OF filling subor-
iinate offices, and which may play con-
siderable part in the politics OF the country
ought to be we'll understood at the begin.
ming.
The bill creates the United States Civil
Service Commission, to be composes pt
three persons, not more than two OF whom
shall be Of the same party, to be appointed
by the President with the consent Of
the Senate. The Commissioners are
removable by the President and
each Of them is to receive > sal.
airy Of $500 year and travelling ex'
penses. There is to DO Chief Examiner,
at 5000 a year and travelling expenses; a
secretary at s., 600 year; and II thought
advisable, stenographer at $1,000 year
and messenger at $500. The Commission
Ia to aid the President, US he may request,
to prepare rules TO carry out the act. Ger
tain principles Of guidance are laid down
in the bill to be Incorporated in the rules
"as nearly as the conditions Of good ad:
ministration will warrant" open, COMPETE
tive, practical examinations to test the fitness
OF the applicant for the place he asks; select
ions to be made from those graded highest as
theresult ofthe examinations; appointments
to be apportioned to the States and Ter.
ritories on basis Of population, residence
TO be testified to under oath; a period Of
probation before absolute appointment; no
person shall be removed for failure 10 con-
tribute money or render political service;
non.competitive examinations shall be
held when after notice competent persons
do not compete; at Washington, and at
one or more places in each State and ter
ritory, boards OF examiners, composed OF
at least three persons in the public service
residing therein, shall conduct examina.
tions, 50 that'no one shall by reason Of the
expense or Inconvenience, be debarred
from his chance TO compete.
II Is made misdemeanor punishable by
q fine OF not less than 500 nor more than
$1,000, or by imprisonment Of not less than
ten days nor more than one year, or both,
for any person. connected with the com.
mission or the public service to obstruct
any person in his right Of examination or
togiye special aid to any applicant With
in sixty days alter the passage Of the act
the offices are to be classified and report
thereof made to the President to aid in
carrying out the purposes Of the act, which
is then to go into effect. Honorably dis.
charged soldiers and sailors are to have
the preference, as under the existing act.
The use Of Intoxicating beverages to excess
Is made bar TO public employment There
shall not be more than two appointments
from one family. Senators and Representa-
tives are to max recommendations only so
far as character and residence are con-
cerned.
Office holders are protected from political
assessments by regulations the most strin-
gent. From Senators down II is forbidden
to solicit or receive from any clerk or EN-.
ploye 50 much as subscription. For re.
ceiving or giving there is to be fine not
exceeding S., 700, orimprisonment not ex-
ceeding three years, or both at discretion.
: The bill has been amended to meet such
objections as were not guarded against
in the original draft. Doubtless it still
contains elements OF weakness which will
appear under practical test. These it will
not be difficult to remedy II Congress shall
be so disposed. The bill is good start in
the right direction. It has advanced more
rapidly and carried'more with 1t than was
believed possible very short time ago.
The strength Of public opinion has forced
II through.