New-York tribune., 1884-02-04
THE STATE CIVIL SERVICE.
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMIS-
SIONERS.

[FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rarBUsE.l
ALBANY, Feb. 3.--The State Civil Service Com
missioners. John Jay. Augustus Schoonmaker and
Henry A. Richmond, submitted their first annual
report to the Governor Thursday last, aud he at
once transmitted it to the Legislature with q short
message The document, with the message, was
announced while the Assembly was in a hubbub.
and escaped the attention OF every one II is need
less to say that the report of such Beard is deserv
ing of most respectful consideration; and there
fore an outline Of 1t is given below.
The Commission was appointed on May 81, 1883.
1t has already organized q State Board of Exsmin-
ers examine persons desiring to enter the Civil
Service of the State and the Mayors of New-York,
Brooklyn and Buffalo have also named boards Of
examiners to learn the fitness of those desiring to
work for the cities named Ii would seem from the
report of the Commissioners that the Civil Service
law so far as IL affects cities, is of feeble cbarac-
ter, and that not much reform In the character Of
their Civil Service can be looked for till the law is
strengthened. In cities like Brooklyn, where Mayor
Low has complete control of all the Departmental the
chief executive enforce the law III the city of
Rochester. however, Mayor Parsons is mere figure
head so far as official power is concerned, and the
law cannot be put in operation. Ii NAV be said
that City Attorney Beckley, of Rochester, Demo-
crat, has given an Interpretation of the law which
robs it of all its seeming powers. Mr.. Beckley's
Interpretation of the law is regarded with astonsh
ment here, however and it is not likely 10 be &C.
cepted.
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW RECOMMENDED.
With view OF sweeping away objections like
Mr. Beckey's, ard, as stated. of extending beyond
dispute the operation Of the Civil Service law to
cities the Commissioners make number of recOm-
mendations of amendments of the law under which
they are acting. The Governor in his message TO
the Legislature supports them In their request say
ing:
amendments of the existing law which will be found at
of the Commissioners has led them TO suggest az proper
and desirable complete and render more effective the
committed Their importance SHOULD lead TO their
full consideration at an early day.
Before mapping out the system of examinations
and promotions in the Civil Service, the Cornmis-
siOners invited suggestions regarding their work
and reports on the condition Of the Civil Service
at present Hundreds of letters were Ie-
ceived in reply. They form most no.
table feature of the report; showing as
they do that appointments to the service of the
State and the cities have universally been made
heretofore for political reasons and generally with.
out any regard to the qualifications of the candidate
for the place.
EXAMINATIONS IN THE NEw-YORK CUSTOM HOUSE
AND POST OFFICE.
There are two very notable letters from Collector
Robertson and Postmaster Pearson, of New-YOrk.
Mr. Robertson in his letter says:
For several years the Civil Service system has been in
force House or this port and the results
highly gratifying 70 its friends The sppointmena
practicable to do So No wiser safer rule could be de-
vsed for filing these offices. Il gives the Goyernment
upon his merits and not through political Influenza
or the p s s Sse Of %md
ity II relieves the Controller from untold annoyances
and enables him devote his whole time the discharge
OF his legitimate duties. Its application under your s
pervsion to appointments under the state Government
sure will be productive OF results equally salts
factory. The examination should be praciical-chiefy
upon the duties Of the oCS 20 pc a a ana IGn ssea
perform the service required better ana more mtel-
gently.
Postmaster Pearson writes:
Ihave no hesitation in saying that the public interest
has been adv anced the Improvement OF the postal
vice here the adoption Of competitive tests or stand
ards for the aDpontment Of the subordinate public
wants employed therein. Methods involving such com
Pege tests haze 8 to 3 81 & or less 5 extent n 80
properly formulated system having been adopt
ed p d9g IN e Post oe Prepared by
my immediate predecessor, Thomas L. James, went into
these rules coupled OF course with strict adherence ID
another ruethat removals shall be made except for
The persons who succeed in obtaining appoint
are onnc % orer e has 6Sen reeTed Of hs S
imposed by the constant receipt and consideration Of
written
pointment further result OF the reformed system OK
appointment has been in the direction OF economy In ons
Of is largest department, MAILING ana distribution tho
creased in 1882 1880 per cent over
Gured in handling it 20 per cent less during the Tor
mer than duriIg the latter year In the Money Order
there has beer an in the number Of orders is
sued paid etc. Of 10 per cent and In the amount or
cost OF the clerical service required for the performance
OF the work is Only Is per cent.
The Commissioners besides these letters Of
Messrs Robertson and Pierson give letters from
many heads of city departments. The answers
from Mayor LOWS heads of departments are spec
ially satisfactory. William II. Fleeman aud John
u. Partridge, who were appointed on Friday re-
spectiyely Commissioner of City Works and Conn
missioner of Police of Brooklyn, show by their let
ters that they will earnestly support the Civil
Service reform law.
PRACTICAL WORK OF THE STATE BOARD.
The Commissioners after receiving these letters
lrew up regulations for the admittance of persons
10 the State service. Similar regulations have been
,dopted by the municipal authorities of New-York,
BROOKLYN and Buffalo. Under these regulations
nominations have been conducted by the State
Board of Examiners, which consists Of Sllas w.
Burt. Chief Examiner, aud II. E. Sickles, reporter
# tho Court of Appeals; j. Z. Morrison, Deputy
Superintendent of Public Instruction; w. B-
,Ierriman, chief clerk of the Controller; u. q.
Milks chief clerk of the State Treasurer; and j. Il
Clifford clerk Of the Insurance Department. This
Board of Examiners week ago conducted tho
irst competitive examination under the system.
twenty five persons appeared for examination IN
he duties Of clerk. Yesterday 1t was found thAs
seventeen Of these persons had passed the exaInna-
ion; rating above the minimum marx. Inc next
ime there Is vacancy in any one OF the stzts
% ,sf
Mace. The State officers must select from their
number.
So far as the State departments are concerned tho
line has passed by when State officer on coming
nto office eau remove all the subordinates In ais
hica aud gil them with his own fris u Is. Lie can %