The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-26

mously concurred.
The first examinations in Maine, under the act of
January 10, 1885, ito regulate and improve the
civil service of the United States held at the
custom house in Portland in July, under the drec-
ton of Commissioner D. B. Eaton. Candidates
were examined for appointment to the customs
service in this district and to the department at
Washington. special committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Sidney W. Thaxter Z P. Payson and
Thomas L. Talbot, was appointed to attend these
examinations. The repors of this committee was
published in the daily newspapers 1t was the
opinion of the special committee that the questions
we're admirably adapted to test the practical knowl
edge and mental calibre of the applicants. The
papers Of candidates for the customs service were
examined by board of officers employed at this
port and the report especially Commended this
regulation, whereby the impartial judgment of III
teligent and experienced is directed to the APP
pointment of their subordinates and assistants.
SO satisfactory was the Inauguration of the sys-
tenn, that in the fall Collector Dow selected the
temporary force of inspectors for winter service by
competitive examination, though it is doubtful
whether these appointments come within the pur-
view of the act of Jan. 49, 1883. AS a result of
that act, all permanent appointments to the Gus
toms service in this district, and the temporary
continents for the present, at least, now open
to any America. citizens of suitable age and ac-
quirements without prejudice or favor ON account
Of their political opi1io6s and wi b no obligation
express or imp led to perform political work or to
contribute TO political funds. The appointees
zens.
Under the new law, furthermore, it is not thought
DesI Tor tedefal OnceS and members OF Congress to
serve upon party committees. The collector OF the
port of Portland has declined reelection to the
Republican tate committee The collector OF the
port of Bath and the Representative of the fourth
Congressional district were re-ee ted but have re
signed their places upon the committee. The ma
tl9nal Repnhliean convention il June adopted
rule excluding Senators, Representatives and other
on1cerS OF the United States from the national
committee The Maine delegation hap already So
lected Congressman to succeed Senator Frye upon
the national committee, but made a new choice
under the rule. The occasion of this exodus Of Of
ee holders from the committees is the provision of
law 1or0lddlng them to solicit receive, directly
indirectly, any contrib atlons voluntary other
wise, for political purposes from persons in the
vice Of the United States. The penalty for levyipg
political assessments has already been imposed in
toe case of Gen. N. M. Curtis, of the Republican
State committee of New York, on complaint by the
New York Civil Service Reform Association; and
the Judgment of the circuit court Of the United
States has been sustained by the supreme court.
The constitutional authority of Congress regulate
such matters is accordingly established, and
ganization of the party committees vas inevitable
unless they we're prepared to reject voluntary
contributions from employees of the government.
In Novem er the executive committee circulated
petitions for the repeal of those sections of the Re-
vsed Statutes of the United states restricting the
term of certain officers to four years. The effect of
TINS restriction is to vacate during each Presden
tial term nearly every office filed by Presidential
appointment Our Presidents have no time for the
proper consideration of changes which ought to be
made in the public service for cause; for thew are
constantly harrassed about changes which must be
made without cause. The abol ton OF the four
vice. and to relieve the Executive of useless and
worse than useless burden, which interferes with
his higher duties. As the case stands now, ques-
tons of public policy must wait while the President
considers the conflicting claims of candidates for
places which are already well filed and ought not
to be arbitrarily and needlessly vacated
On the 4th of February a bill to repeal the four
years term prepared by the National Civil-Service
Reform League was offered in the House of Repre-
sentatives by Mr.. Willis of Kentucky and referred
to the committee reform in the cfvil-serVice On
the list of March, delegation from the League had
satisfactory hearing before the committee.
week later, the committee unanimously reported
the bill recommending its passage and it went upon
the House calendar. 1t was understood subsequent
y that he bill was coming up for consideration
the Zlst OF April and the secretary of the Portland
association was directed address letter TO the
member of Congress fl I'M this district, asking him
At least to use his influence to hearing for
the bill, and expressing hope that he might also
vote for it Mr.. Reed replied that the proposition
was not to take up the bill 'for consideration" but
TO suspend the rules and pass the bill without de.
bate. 1t is not surprising, and 10 hardly to be
GREETED, that the motion failed. A change so far
reaching ought not to be made without thorough
consideration. When the proposition is fairly Con
sidered it must be- the it ca not fail
to commend themselves to the deliberate Judgment
OF Congress.
I he legislature of Maine has not met during the
year. There has been opportunity therefore to
eudeavor to place the public service of the State
upon the footing which public opinion here aud
elsewhere begins to require. In New York, the
laws regulating the civil service of the State and of
all Incorporated cities have been thoroughly revis
90. Under those laws, applicants for public en-
pOyment admitted through the competitive
system. The only exceptions are elected officers
those confirmed by the senate, officers accountable
for public moneys and their confidential clerks, la
borers, and few other classes, omitted Tor special
and sufficient reasons. No recommendations from
off1ce holders can be considered. No enquiry may
be made concerning the political opinions of canal
dates. Political assessments or so icitatiUns are
forbidden. The promise of office or influence in
return for votes influence is to be punished as
Diloery. The only preference authorized is to be
gwen TO honorably discharged soldiers sailors
lsiation has been accomplished in Massachusetts,
considered in California and Maryland, and defeat
ed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Inc subject OF municipal reform has engaged the
attention Of the committee, and particularly the
recommendation of the late Mayor Butler. ap-
proved by his successors, Mayor Fessenden and
Mayor LIBBY, looking to the creation of perma-
henL ard OF public works, like the board of county
commissioners, to take charge of the city Streets
sewers aud public buildings. Ex-Mayor Libby was
Invited TO address the Committee on the subject
ana discussed the proposition length on tine even
ing OF the 10Th of January. His conclution was
mat board OF paid commissioners, elected one
each year for terms of three years. would if wisely
selected, undoubtedly bring to the supervision of
tue business committed to them degree OF trained
intel lgence when cannot be expected from the
shifting and unpaid committees OF the city council.
such board would doubtless save money for the
CT Tar In excess of the expenditure for salaries
Inc change however would not take the street and
sewer departments out of politics, or prevent the
commissioners from using their influence to that
emu, unless come system could be adopted by which
appointments TO the board should be made non-par-
tlsan and non political in their character. He
thought too, that BY reason of its permanence and
independence, such board if it fell into the hands
OF politicians might become formidable political
engine. siessrs Sidney W. Thaxter, Thomas l.,
IalooG and Henry st. John Smith Were appointed a
special committee to enquire further into this mat
ter, and subsequently reported that they had
reason 10 believe that member OF the new city
government had plan for the reorganization of
The departments named, and thought it best to
await The development OF his plan. This expecta-
ton was not realized
ha 1,os o1so
much interest the proceedings of The mayor and al
dermen of Portland for the removal of Marshal IN
drews under chapterl6 of the private laws of 1878
Inc law OF 1878 was intended to relieve the police
force from partisan obligations and partisan SER
vice, by giving to the officers, from the marshal
down, a tenure dependent solely upon gooi conduct
and efficiency. Tie effect has been precisely what
was anticipated. The police are no longer employ
ed in packing caucuses, in distributing on
election day and bringing voters to the polls. They
nave ceased TO be servants Of party, and have be
come the servants of the whole community answer
able to nobody for their opinions their votes 1t
is greatly to be desired that this wholesome law
should be respected in letter and spirit
In April a communication was received from the
massachusetts, reform club asking the association
to send deleg ates to an independent poll ical con
Ventlon, to be held in New York for the purpose Of
organizing movement in favor of civil service re-
form, reduction OF the revenue and cessation of
tue compulsor, coinage of silver. As the consutu-
ton OF the Portland Association expressly provides
mat neither the name nor influence of the associas
tlon snail be used on behalf of any party the COM
mittee hal plainly authority to send delegates to
convention called for the purpose of organizing
party, and the secretary instructed to make
that explanation in reply to the invitation.
IL has been proposed to open headquarters at
some convenient place. where all memoers OF the
association can have an opportunity to examine the
documents and letters received by the executive
committee, and to confer together concerning the
beet methods of promoting the work for which the
association was formed. This proposition the GEM
mttee has thought best to refer to the association
at the annual meeting.
MILITARY.