New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-17
THE PENDING CIVIL SERTICE ELL.

THE PENDING CIVIL obh|IC OILA'
IF the Pendleton bill deserves well OF the
country then it deserves well OF the States com
poslng the country. The representatives OF
fine country having passed it by an emphatic
vote in both houses of Congress, no good rea-
son can be urged why the representatives. OF
New-York in Senate and Assembly should net
Mace a law modelled closely after 1t upon our
own statute books.
Craving out of this considerations the bill
which was introduced in the Assembly few
weeks ago. 1t proposes to regulate ana I'M
nrove the civil service of Ncw-IOrk by means
of board of commissioners to be appointed
nv the Governor and Senate. These commits
sioners are to prepare rules providing among
other things, for open competitive examina-
tions. for filling Offices from among those
Graded highest as the results of such examina-
tioDs. for promotions from the lower grades to
the higher on the basis Of merit and competl-
tion. and for the prohibition Of political assess
ments The commission is authorized to en-
nloy a chief examiner who ls to act with the
examining boards to the end that accuracy uni
formity and justice may be secured il all Their
proceedings. The commission is also author
lied 10 select suitable number OF persons III
the official service of the state to be members
Of these examining boards. Within four
months after the expiration OF the present ses-
sion of the Legislature the Governor Is to
couse TO be arranged in classes the clerks In the
nvbljc service for the purpose OF such examlna-
ton. and he shall include in one or more OF
. such classes so far as practicable, all snbordl-
. nate places, clerks and officers in the public
. service of tie state" After the termination OF
eipht months from the expiration OF The pres
ent session of the Legislature, no officer or
clerk is to he appointed ana 40 person is to be
admitted to or be promoted III either Ol the
said classes now existing or that may be ar
| ranCed uuIsuant to the rules referred to, who
| has not passed an examination or Is shown to
| ne succially exempted from such examination.
| No elective officer and 10 person merely en-
Moved as a labOrer or workman Is to be re-
| onirrd to he thus classified ; Dor, unless by Ill
rcction of the Senate, is any person who has
been nominated for confirmation by the Senate
70 he required to he classified or to pass an eX-
animation. The eighth section of the bill
reads as follows:
Tho Mayor of each city in this state having a
population of fifty thousand rs shown by The st
census Is authorized to prescribe such regulations iof
the admission of persons INTO the civil service OF snc
city as may best promote the efficiency thereon ana AS
certain fitness OF candidates in respect TO character
knowledge and ability for the branch Of the service into
which they seek enter and for this purpose he may
employ suitable persons 10 conduct such inquiries ana
may prescribe their duties and establish regulations for
the conduct OF persons who may receive appointments In
the said service. Said regulations however shall not
extend TO any elective officer 10 those in seeking TO
enter said service under the Police Health, Fire. Educa
topal or Law Department OF any city, TO any officer
having immediate custody Of public moneys for the safe
keeping Of which any head OF an Office ha' given bonds
and IS Hereunder responsible, nor shall any regulation
he Incompatible with any existing law TO entrance TO
| said service.
The commission is given power to make in
yestieations concerning the facts, and may re-
mort upon all matters touching the enforce
ment and effects of its rules and regulations
and concerning the execution Of this law. Any