The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-01-04

The Civil Service bill introduced in the Sen
ate last session. and brought up this, passt d
that body on the 9th, by the following vote
stated according to the political utilization Of
the Senators:
Democrats.-Bayard, CockrelI, Coke, Davis, of W
Va, Garland, George, German, Groome, Jacks IN,
Jones, of Fla, Lamar Pendleton Vest, Walker-14
Repubncans.-Aldrich, Allison, Anthony, Cameron,
of Penn, Cameron, of Wis, Chilcott, Conger, Ed
munds, Frye, Harrison, Hawley, Hill, Hoar, Jones,
Of Nevada, Lapham, Logan, Miller of Gala, Miller,
Of N. Y, Morrill,, Platt, Plumb, Rollins, sewel Win,
dom-A
independents David Davis, of Ill.
The i've voting against it were all Democrats as
follows: Brown, Call Jonas, Morgan, Mcpherson.
Quite number of Senators were paired with alb
sentees. Voorhees,, who was paired with Johnston,
said he regretted this because 1t failed to give him
the opportunity he wanted to vote squarey against
the bill
The other pairs were as follows: Blair with Bar
row. Hale with Beck, Ferry with Farley, Maxey with
Dawes, Saunders with Williams, Butler with Pugh.
AS soon the vote was announced Mr.. Brown
moved to change the title Of the bill to read, A bill
to perpetuate in office the Republicans who now
control the patronage OF the Government" [Laug-
ter.
The following are the essential provisions of the
bill to regulate and improve the civil service as
passed by the Senate on the 27th
The bill provides for the appointment by the Pres
ident subject to confirmation by the Senate, OF
three persons lat salary of 5000 each and tray
cling eXpenSeS), not more than two Of whom shall
be adherents Of the same party, as civil service
commissioners, and said three commissioners shall
constitute the United States Civil Service Commits
sion. These commissioners shall aid the President
in making suitable rules for carrying the act into
effect. The rules shall provide for open, fair and
practical competitive examinations, and that appli
Giants who pass highest shall be selected for ap-
pointment. Appointments in the executive depart
mentS at Washington shall be apportiOned among
the several states, &C., the basis of population
There shall be period of probation in case of ap
pointments, and promotions shall be made from
lower to higher grades on the basis OF merit and
competition.
under any obligation to contribute to any political
fund, to render any political service, and he Will
not be removed otherwise prejudced for refusing
to do and that person in said service has any
right to use his official authority or influence tC
coerce the political action Of any person or body
There shall be non-competitive examinations In
all proper cases before the commission, when
competent persons do not compete after notice has
been given Of the existence of the vacancy, under
such rules may be prescribed by the commits
stoners to the manner of giving notice, competi
tion may not be found practicable. ANY divergence
from the rules laid down shall be reported by the
commissioners, who shall give their reasons there
for, their report to be sent annually to the Prest
dent for transmission to Congress. The commits
s1oners may appoint chief examiner, at salary
of s., 900 year and travelling expenses; also, a
secretary, at salary Of 81, 600 per year; also,
stenographer when necessary, and messenger.
The commission shall, at Washington and In one
or more places in each State or territory where
aminations are to take place, designate number
of persons, not less than three in the official service
Of the United States, residing in said state or terri
tory after consulting the head of the department
Office in which such persons serve, to be members
of boards of examiners, and may at any time sub
stitute any other person in said service living in
such territory in the place of any one so selected
Such board Of examiners shall be so located TO
make it reasonably convenient and inexpensive for
applicants to attend before them; and where there
are persons to be examined in any state or terri.
tory, examinations shall be held therein at least
twice In each year.
Fines and imprisonment are prescribed for any
person in the public service who willfully cor
ruptly obstructs the operations of the service by
giving information, abstracting documents and
wrongfully grading applicants for appointment
Each head of department shall within sixty days
classify his employees, and shall from time 10 time
by direction Of the President such revision OF
the lists as is called for by the good of the public
service.
Whenever there are two or more members of a
family in the public service in the grades covered
by this act no other members Of such family shall
be eligible to appointment to any Of such grades
No recommendation Of any person who shall apply.
for office or place under the provisions OF the act
which may be given by any senator or member or
the House of except as to the char
acter or residence of the applicant, shall be re-
ceiyed or considered by any persons concerned in
making any examination or appointment under
this act.
No person habitually using intoxicating bever-
ages in excess shall be appointed to or retained In
any Office business employment to which the
provisions of this act are applicable. No senator
or representative, or territorial delegate OF the
Congress, or senator, representative or delegate
elect or any officer or emplOye of either OF said
houses, and executive judicialmilitary or naval
officer Of the United Staes and no clerk or empoye
of any department, branch, or bureau OF the execu
tive, Judicial or military naval service of the
United States, SHALL directly or indirectly, solicit
or receive, or be in any manner concerned In
soliciting or receiving, any assessment, Subscrfp-
ton or contribution for any political purpose what
ever, from any officer, clerk or employe OF the
UnitedStates or any department, branch or bureau
thereof, or from any person receiving any salary
or compensation from any moneys derived from
the treasury of the United States. No person SHALL
in any room or building occupied IN the discharge
of official duties by any person or employe of the
United States solicit In any manner whatever, or
receive any contribution Of money, or any other
thing of value for any political purpose whatever.
No officer or employe Of the United States men,
toned in this act shall dischargeof promote, or in
any manner change the official rank or co pensation
Of any other officer or employe, or promise or
threaten do so, for giving or Withholding neg
lect1ng to mako any contribution Of any money or
other valuable tptng for any political purpose.
No officer, clerk other person In the service OF
the United States SHALL directly indirectly give
or hand any other oic6r, clerk or person In
the service of the United States or to any senator
or member of the House of Representatives, or ter
ritorial delegate or other person acting for such
senator, member or delegate, any money or other
valuable thing account of to be applied to the
promotion OF any political object whatever.
This last section provides that any person who
shall be guilty of violating any provision OF the
four foregoing sections shall be deemed guilty ola
misdemeanor, and shall, conviction Thereon, Do
punished by fine not exceeding i've thonsanu
dollars, or by imprisonment for term mol e&ceeu.
ing three years, or by such fine and fmprisohhe"t
both, in the discretion of the court