Omaha daily bee., 1884-03-01
tnE MAJ tuNAL GAFt n,
The Report Of the Civil Service Com
mission Summarized.
The Presidents Views and Action
Commended.
Official Intimidation by a West
ern Senator.
a Commission In the Interstate
Commerce Bill,
White and R@osecrans Abuse Each
Other In the House.
FROM
THE v SERVICE,

h' 49,
WASHINGTON, February 29.-The pres
ident sent a message to congress to-day
transmitting the first annual report of
the civil service commission, together
with communications from the heads of
several executive departments respecting
the practical working of the law. The
president says: "Upon the good results
which that law has already accomplished
l congratulate congress and the people,
and l avow my conviction that it will
henceforth prove to be of still more sig.
nal benefit to the public SERVICE" He
commends the zeal of the commission
and recommends an adequate %appropria-
ton. The report occupies sixty.seven
closely printed pages. The commission
understands the more direct objects of
the law to be the putting a stop to
official coercion of political action,
to levying political assessments, to selec-
ton of government employees by official
favor and partisan influence and a res
t~oration of the independence of the leg
islative and executive departments. The
report says there have been several
trifling political assessments which ceased
when public attention was called to them.
The amount collected was not more than
a half or fourth as much as formerly.
The evils of the spoils system are set
forth at great length and the benefits of
competitive examinations fully set forth.
The opinion is expressed that a salu-
tary effect would follow the selection of
chiefs of bureaus, postmasters and col
lectors at large Offices from among
subordmates, who would bring bust
ness experience rather than partisan
activity to those positions. The report
says other things being equal disabled
soldiers and sailors are given the prefer
ence and no favor or advantage is allow
ed by reason of sex. The commission
held that the power IF removal for Just
reasons are essential to both discipline
and efficiency. "It is still possible" says
the report, ito promise the spoils to
100000 officers as rewards of party vic
tory. 1t is still possible to remove every
person in the classified ser vice once in
four years or once in four months, but
vacancies can only be filled by those who,
irrespective Of party, demonstrate their
superiority in a free, open competition
of character and capacity"
1t is shown that So per cent Of those
o. CoASbCCo
in the common schools alone. The re-
port gives extracts from a large number
of letters from postmasters and collectors
showing that great benefit has accrued to
the public service by the enforcement of
the civil service rules. 1t is suggested
that a party test be no longer applied in
the selection of collectors and postmast-
ers and that every corrupt exercise of
.onrar IN tho n,un,n afipp ,r1,oo%sop
transfer or confirmation, even though
corrupt consideration may not be "a
thing of v%alue," should be an offense
under the bribery laws. The commission
declare the civil service act a success and
a most difficult post. They acknowledge
that through every stage they have had
the constant unwavering support of Pres
ident Arthur.
THE POSTAL BILL.
The postoffice appropriation bill as
prepared by the committee appropriates
$40, 500, 900 for pay of postma sters, the
maximum salary being 81, 200. In it the
postmaster general is directed to readiust
the compensation, after July LIST next, of
railroads for carrying the mails by a re.
duction of D per cent from present rates
on a basis of average weight. Railroads
aided by land grants on condition they
transport the mails at such prices as con-
gress may direct, are to receive only 90
per cent of the compensation allowed
other roads for corresponding service.
The use of official envelopes is extended
to all officers of the United States, not
including members of congress. This
does not apply to pension agents or other
IA. 800. ,,l,, -.Azs.-. sr4l .n~x1
compensation for services, including ex-
penses of postage. The aggregate ap-
priation recommended by the bill is $45,-
POI, 800 The estimates for 1885 were
$50, 062, 189.
wATsoN's PENSION BILL.
Representative Watson has prepared a
report accompanying has bill for the in
crease of pensions of soldiers widows and
dependent relatives from So to $l2 per
month. He estimates the total number
of pensions whose rates will be- increased
by the bill at l24, 1873, and the aggregate
annual increase of pensions at 81, $50,
900. Owing to the age of those to be
benefited, it is believed that the list will
rapidly decrease.
GIVE HIS NAME.
A gentleman who called upon the pres
ident yesterday said certain subordinate
officers of the postofice department in a
western state expressed a fear of removal
in case they advocated his denomination,
because a senator from that state is him.
self a candidate for the presidency, and
claimed their allegiance. The president
said he was surprised and hoped the
statement was not true. Official position,
he said, did not deprive a citizen of the
right ~ express his political preferences
aud work for the nomination of his favor
lite, il it did not interfere with his duties.
He further said that every employe OF
the government should be projected in
the exercise OF the widest political lib
erty.
A COMMISSION IN N.
The house committee on commerce.
has agreed to report Representative
Stewards bill 20 regulate interstate CON-
merce and provide for the appointment
of a commission. As agreed to the bill
provides that in the transportation OF
property the charges ''shall be reason.