National Republican., 1883-11-09
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Some Important Changes Recently Made by
the President
what the Chan ses Arc as Described by
Commissioner Eaton.

Mr.. Eaton, of the civil service commission,
ha wing yesterday been requested by o repre-
sentative Of THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN to
state the nature and extent of the changes
just made by the President in the civil
service rules, said he could only speak for
himself alone. Ho said the changes were
few in number, and, with one important ex-
ception, that they introduced no new principle.
No new rule had been made, no original
rule had been superseded, no method had
been condemned, but something had been
learned from experience. With n single ex-
ception the changes had for their direct
object more exact adaptation of the rules to
the needs of the public service and the greater
convenience and justice in the examination.
One change provides that no person, while
under enlistment in the army or navy, shall
be examined for the civil service. Another
provides that no person, having failed at one
examination, shall within six months be ad-
mitted to another without the consent of the
commission, and Mr.. Eaton added that his
view was that such consent would not,
except for peculiar reasons of justice in any
particular case be given, and that the
reasons therefor would appear on record.
A third change enlarged the authority of
the commission over technical examinations.
A fourth provided for postmasters and col
lectors keeping the examining boards in
formed 10 b0e appointments anu pTOHOblOus
at their offices. fifth change declares that
competitive examinations for promotions
shall be introduced so far as they may be
deemed useful. He thought the commission
would continue to carefully consider that
subject. But the amendment of rule is by
far the most important. It aflirms o new prin-
ciple and adds new safeguard, in the spirit
of the civil service act, and upon the theory,
according to which all the rules were framed
1t is true that the act says nothing as to the
ground of selection by the appointing power
of one to fill q vacancy out of the four persons
who may be certified from among those
graded highest. The original rules, like
those adopted by President Grant and Presi-
dent Hayes, were silent on that point. The
English rules have also been equally silent.
The basis of selection under each has been
left to mere inference. The unamended
eighth rule merely prohibited any in
quiry "on the part of the commission
cal or religious opinions or applica-
tions and all discrimination by them by
reason thereof, If known. But II did not in
terms touch the discretion of the appointing
power in that regard. While, therefore, it
was plain enough that a system which aims
to raise character and capacity above favor,
partisanship, and influence in making such
selections is, in spirit, repugnant to all
such discrimination, IL was not less plain that
such discrimination might be made without
violating the letter of either the rules or the
law. So long as such practice should be thus
uncondemned, it would be vain to hope that
enemies of reform would not believe it to
exist. 81 believe" said Mr.. Eaton, "the
facts to be that no such discrimination has
been made under the present rules, and that
none has been c0nnived at by those in high
authority, but quite the contrary. President
Arthur seems to me to have thought that
responsible declarations on such sub
ahA hA ,Nnl,n as,
public duty and professed principles.
But / have no right to speak for
him. He has at any rate so amended and
enlarged the eighth rule that it now dis
tnctly prohibits the appointing power alike
in every department and in every postoffice
and customs office to which the rules extend
from making any discrimination in selec-
,tions for appointments by reason of any
political or religious opinion or affiliation.
A public and responsible pledge of impair
tiality and Justice can, l think, go no
further. For, unless the rule is
deliberately resisted or evaded,, every
opportunity of party advantage through
patronage according to the old theory is
waived. Superior character and capacity, as
disclosed in the sworn statement of the appli-
cant in applying to be examined, and the
record which each makes for himself upon
his examination, are made the sole tests of
selections for the public service. Political
tests and party influence are for the first
time absolutely and universally condemned
and excluded.
"The full significance of this change cannot
be understood except in tho light of the fact
that the twenty-second rule makes any vio-
lation of either rule by an executive officer
a good cause for removal, and of the further
fact that the civil service act authorized the
commission to make Investigations and
report concerning the enforcement of the act
in such particulars 1t is for such reasons
that / must regard the amendment as the
most emphatic assertion yet made of the
spirit of true reform, and as having a signiii-
cance beyond what can be attached to any
single provision in any civil service rules
ever yet adopted. | repeat that, in what
have said, state my own views only, and
must not be regarded as assuming in the
least degree to represent any other person."