Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-03
The Civil Service.

WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS SAY ABOUT EXAMINATIo
FOR PROMoTION-wOMEN IN THE DEPARTMENTS.
In regard to examinations for promotion the an
nual report OF the civil service commissioners
that the act recognizes the value OF examinations
as far greater for entering the services than rS
ing in 1t. IteaveS their extension to promotions in
the discretion OF the President The applicant for or
iginal entrance to the service Is stranger to the
head OF the office and ignorant CT its duties. But
those who seek promotion are well known to the
head OF the bureau or Office. They have served
under his own eyes. No one knows so well as he
their capacity or the qualifications needed In the
vacant place. They are seeking places or authority
ranging and dSpatchng business capacity for dis
cipline and for command are not only the most es-
sental qualifications but are the most difficult OF all
to be tested by examinations. Yet there are parts
OF the service in which examination for promotion
may be of great advantage.
The outside interference is far more indefensible
If not more pernicious, in regard to promotions
than in regard to original admissions For the i'm
Fortunate hacker OF a new man may. perhaps. know
something or the merits OF the friend he pushes:
but Ii is sheer presumption for an outsider ignor-
ant he must be OF the duties OF those in bureau
to assume to instruct the officer at the head as TO
the merits OF those who have served under him for
years Nevertheless, and In plain repugnance to the
spirit of the tenth section OF the civil service act the
duty of promoting is now seriously embarrassed by
solicitations and the coercive influence OF persons
having no right OF interference nor means OF judg-
ing or the usefulness OF the candidate. In some OF
the best governed countries such intrusion In be-
half OF q favOrtte has not only been condemned by
regulations, but the favorte Is himself treated as
therefore held ineligible for promotion until he has
purged himself OF the cOnnlvance OF which he is
assumed to be guilty. Here is great step towards
freedom or choice by the appointing power In the
matter OF promotions
WOMEN IN THE SERVICE.
t'NOwhere on the part OF the commission or its
subordinates" the report says, sis there any favor
or disadvantage allowed by reason OF sex ONLY
under free, open, competitive examinations have
the worthiest women the opportunities, ana the
government the protection, which arises from
allowing character and capacity to win the prece-
dence and the places their due. The need for polt-
1cal influence or for importunate solicitation
especially diSagreeabie to women for securing an
pontments in the classified service exists longer
Rule IL, clause 3, controls the certfricattOn OF
women for appointment SO completely that the
commission has no discretion on the subject The
law In force before the passage OF the civil service
act gave the heads OF departments authority to de-
eide when women are required or can be accepted
Both the civil service act and the rules leave that
authority unimpaired In order to prevent diSap-
pointment we ought to add that, perhaps because
the examinations naturally appeal to the hopes and
the ambition OF women, a greater number OF them,
in proportion to the places treated by the depart
mentS Is open to their sex, have been examined,
and hence the number OF women waiting TO be GER
titled Is large In like ratio"
The Legal Tender Law Constitutional.
decision was rendered by the Supreme
Court OF the United States this afternoon in the
Greenman. The court holds that the legal tender
act OF March 31st 1873 is valid and constitutional
and that Treasury notes reissued under it are a
good and legal tender In payment OF all debts.
opinion by Justice Gray, Justice Field dissenting.
PRoPOsED NEW NATIONAL PARTIAL the
meeting OF the Massachusetts, Reform club in
Boston Saturday a call was adopted inviting sIib-
erals and progressive men OF different states who
heartily believe in civil service REFORM the reduction
OF rates OF revenue, the cessation OF silver coinage
to n Of e liberal be hes without dis
to place In nomination candidates President and
Vice President In fun sympathy with the above |
lrIf RON MO
reform republicans and the independent democrats
OF Massachusetts, Congressman Lyman, Mr. Has
keii, OF the Boston Herald, and Samuel BowleS are
among its members