Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-19

The following is a copy Of letter written by
Hon. John NJ. Gregory, of the civil service commits
sion, on the employment OF women In the public
service:
"Does the new civil service system favor the ap-
pontnent OF women to public service?" 1t must
be admitted that thus far fewer women have OBJ
tained places under this than under the old sys-
tem out OF 331 appointments to the classified
service Inade under the civil service rules since July
ID, 1SS3 not including special pension examiners
only thirty-two have been Of females
III Is already generally known that the civil ser
vice examinations for clerkships open alike to
men and women: that all applicants are examined
alike. marked by the same rules. and placed II they
pass, on common registers for certrcat1on to the
appointing Officers, the heads OF departments.
Nnen notices OF vacancies received by the COM
mission, II no mention Of the sex required were in
Guided In the notice. the four names graded highest
would De sent, without regard to sex; but thus far
all requests except two, for fill vacancies
have contained the significant words "males' or
'females." Two requests in which no sex was men
toned were recalled and the omission corrected
The wrong therefore, if wrong there be- lies not at
the door OF the civil service commission, yet at
that OF the SYSTEM unless it be claimed that the
system has relieved the appointing powers from
pressure and left them at liberty TO selec. tOr ser
vice such persons as they deem best
No explanation has as yet been given OF the rea-
sons OF this preference for male clerks; but it is
limited that, under the Old system, an undue and
1nc0nvenlent proportion OF female clerks was
pushed upon the departments and that the heads
OF these departments are now using their Oppor-
ti.iity " even up tle lOrce IL Is true that eX-
cessvely large numbers OF female clerks and
COpyiStS are found in some bureaus. One member
OF Congress Is said to have procured the appoint
ment of forty women from his district, and few
men Id power Wee able to resist the opportunities
| OF women who claimed TO be in poverty, with in
fant children or aged parents to support Nor were
Women'S Establishments always found pOWerless as
means OF winning places
1t is said also that the bad conduct of some un-
worthy women has created preudIceS against
female clerks in some bureaus while In other cases
the difficulty which chiefs of divisions f1nd or feel
In enforcing order and Industry among female
clerks renders them hostile to any Increase OF such
clerks. Some OF those who appreciate at the high
est the service OF the many capable industrtO
and altogether worthy women found In the depart
mentS still feel reluctant to ask the appoint
ment OF the unknown women whose names
may be sent them IRON the lists OF the civil
service commission. But doubtless much Of
this will change when the superior charac-
ter and ability OF the women brought forward
ny the civil service examinations Shall become
known. Many OF the best examinations have been
passed by women, and the books Of he commission
contain at this time the names OF many who would
do honor to the service. While these women are
not superior TO the est OF those In the depart
ments, they will certainly be found better and
more capable than hundreds who under the old
system We're thrust In without examination, and
TOO often without merit by the ''inhuence' OF SYM
pathetic congressman or OF others high In authOr-
ty. There Is no general prejudice against good
female clerks, and as FAR as known, the heads of
the executive departments are disposed to do full
Justice To women and to give them their proper
share or the places when the needs Of the service
Will permit.
The new civil service system must Inevitably
1avOr the future employment OF wOmen-firSt, by
bringing to the nOllce OF aDpOnIing officers the
high qualifications shown by female applicants in
the examinations; and, second, by introducing to
the Offices a class OF women whose Capacity, in
dustry and good conduct Will prove to any doubt
ing chief of bureau or division the sterling value
OF a true WOman'S Seryicen