The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-01-16
Civil Service Reform Bill,
AS PASSED BY THE U. S. CONGRESS.

ue CIVl OtlFICe RtiDilu uiiis " hua'-
y amended and passed., is, in its full
ext, as follows:
l bill to regulate and improve the civil SER
vice of the United States.
WHEREAS, Common justice requires
hat, 80 far as practicable, all citizens
duly qualified shall be allowed equal op-
on the ground of personal
fitness, for securing appointment, en-
ployment and promotion in subordinate
civil service of the United States; and
WHEREAS. Justice TO the public like
wise requires that the Government shall
have the largest choice among those
likely to answer he'requirements OF the
public service; and,
WHEREAS, Justice as we'll as econo.
my, efficiency and integrity in public
service will be promoted by substituting
open and uniform competitive examina-
,ions for examinations heretofore held
in pursuance of the statutes of 1853 and
1855;
Therefore be it enacted by the Senate
and House OF Representatives of the
United States of America, in Congress
assembled, That the President is author
lied to appoint, by and with the consent
OF the Senate, three persons. no! more
than two of whom shall be adherents OF
the same party, as civil service commits
sioners, and the said three commission
els shall constitute the United States
Civil Service Commission. Said Com
shall hold no other official
place under the United States. Tue
President may remove any commission
er; and any vacancy in the position o'
shall be so filed by the
President, by and with the consent Of the
Senate, as 10 conform to said conditions
for the frsl section of said commission
ers.
The commissioners shall each receive
a salary OF $500 year, and eaeh ol
said commissioners shall be paid his ne,
cessary travelling expenses incurred in
The discharge OF his duty as commits
III. ner.
SECTION l. That it shall be the duty
of said commissioners:
To aid the President as he may re-
lnest in preparing suitable rules for car-
-ying this act into effect; and when said
rules shall have been promulgated, it
shall be the duty of all Officers of the
United States in the departments and Of
ices to which any such rules may relate
o aid in all proper ways in carrying The
,aid rules and any notifications thereo!
n,o effect.
II. And among other things said rules
hail provide and declare as nearly as
he conditions of good administration
will warrant, as follow:
First-For open competitive examine
ions for testing the fitness of applicants
or public service now classified, or to
,e classified hereunder; such examina-
ions shall be practical in their charac-
er, and so far as may he, shall relate tc
hose matters which will fairly test the
'elative capacity end fitness of persons
to discharge the duties Of that
service into which they may be appoint
ID.
Second-That all offices, places and
so arranged or To be ar
'anged in classes shall be filed by selec-
ions according to grade from among
hose graded highest as the results OF
such competitive examinations.
Third-Appointments to public SER
vice aforesaid in departments at W ash
ng,on shall he apportioned among the
several States and Territories and Dis
.rict of Columbia upoi. basis Of p,p-
ula,ion as ascertained at the last preced-
ing census. Every application for ex-
animation shall contain among other
things q statement under oath setting
forth his or her actual bona (ide resi-
lence at the time of making application,
as well as how long he or she has been q
residen, of SO place.
Fourth That there shall be period
Of probation before any absolute ap-
poin,ment or employment aforesaid.
Fifth-That promotions shall be from
lower grsdes to higher on basis OF
merit aud competition.
Sixth That no person in public SER
vice is for that reason under anv ohliga-
lion to contribute to any political fund,
or render any political service, end that
he will net be removed or other wise
prejuaiced for refusing to do so:
Seventh-That no person in said ser
vice has any right TO use his official au-
thority or influence 10 coerce the politi
cal action of any person or any body.
Eighth-There shall be non-competi-
tive examinations in all proper cases be
fore the commission, when competent
persons do not compete after notice has
been given of the existence of a vacan
cy, under such rules ss may be prescrib
ed by the commissioners as to the man
ner OF giving notice and competition
may no, he found practicable.
Ninth-That notice shall he given II
writing by the appointing power to salf
commission of persons selected for ap
pointment or employment from among
those who have been examined, of the
place OF residence of such persons. o
rejection of any such persons after pro
hhtinn, of transfers, designations and re
mnvals. and OF the date thereof, and re
cord of the same shall be kept by saiC
commission, and any necessary excep
,ions from said nine fundamental pro
visions of rules shall be set forth in con
ncctIon with such rules, and reason
therefor shall he slated in the annual re-
ports of the commission.
III. Said commission shall, subject t.
rules that may We made by the Presi.
dent, make regulations for and have con
troll OF such examinations, and throug|
lis members of examiners it shall su
pervise and preserve records OF tn
same, and said commission shall keel
minn'es of its own proceedings.
~. Said commission may make in
vestlgations concerning facts and ma
report oil matters touching the enforce
ment and effects Of said rules and regu
lations and concerning the action OF an
examiner or board of examiners herein
after provided for its own subordinate
and those in the public service in respet
to the execution Of the act.
V. Said commission shall make o
annual report to the President for trant
mission to Congress, showing it's OF
action, rules and regulations, and exceI
,ions thereto in force, practical ef1ec'