The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-13
CIVIL SERVICE.
Extracts from the voIuminous Re-
port of the CiviI-Service
Commission.
The Evils of the Spells System Set Forth
and Good Word Spoken for
the Common Schools.

The following message was sent to Con-
gress on the Goth ult.:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
rTvEs: In compliance with an act OF Congress
approved Jan. IL. 1888, entitled An act TO reRu-
late and improve the civil service OF the United
Sta es. the Civil Service Commission has made
to the President Its first annual report. That
report Is herewith transmitted, together with
communication from the heads OF the several
executive depart ments OF the Government re-
specting the practical working of the law under
which the commission has been acting. Upon the
good results which that law has already accom-
plished congratulate Congress- and the people,
and ayow my conviction that IL will henceforth
prove 10 be OF still more signal benent 10 the
public service.
heartily commend the zeal and fidelity Of the
legislation and advise the making of such APP
preparation as shall be adequate for their needs
CHESTER A. ARTHUR
Executive Mansion, Feb. 90 1894.
The report makes volume of sixty-seven
closely printed pages. 1t states that the sew
eral results which appear TO be the more d.
rect objects OF the law and civil service
rules, AS understood by the commission, are
/. That official authority and influence must
no longer be used to impair the freedom OF
elections, or coerce the political action OF citi-
zcns.
q Extortion from those in public service,
whether under the form Of political assessments
or otherwise, for the purpose OF paying theex-
an end.
s. Selections for executive service on the basis
of official favor and partisan influence must be
suppressed by requiring examinations aa1 other
adequate tests OF character and capacity as con-
ditions for entering this service.
L. The true responsibility and independence OF
the Legislative and Executive Departments I'M
der the Constitution must be restored and pre-
served.
Upon the subject of political assessments
the report says there have been several VIC
I.s4x
cured, and the illegal practice ceased upon
public attention being called to it. The
amount collected from Federal officers since
the act went into effect is not more than one
half or one-fourth as much as formerly. The
EVILS OF the spoils system are set forth at
great length, and the benefits derived from
competitive examinations fully described.
The difficulty attending the classification of
civil service is dwelt upon at length, and the
statement made that at large Offices the
power and opportunity for intrigue and sell
fish influence are dangerously great. In the
three branches of the classified service the
number of places TO he filed on the basis of
competitive examinations is, in the aggre-
gate, 1924. The increase since made in the
classified service carries the number above
1900. The opinion is EXPIRE ssed that a sal
utary effect would follow the selection of
chiefs of bureaus, postmasters, and collectors
at the larger offices from among subordi-
mates who would bring business experience
rather than partisan activity TO those posi-
lions. The report states that soldiers and
sailors honorably discharged by reason OF
disability, If capable, arc allowed preference,
and nowhere is there any favor or
advantage allowed by reason OF sex. The
commission hold that the power OF removal
and its exercise for just reasons are essen
tial both TO the discipline and efficiency of
the public service. A life tenure would be
indefensible. 1t is still possible, says the re-
port, to promise the spois of 100, 900 Offices
as rewards for party victory in q national
canvass. 1t is still possible to remove every
person in the classified service once in four
years or once in four months, but the va
cancies can be filled only by those who, IRE
spective of party, demonstrate superiority
in free and open competition of character
and capacity. IL appears from the statistics
presented with the report that 65 per
cent. of all those who entered the service
educated in the common schools alone,
and the commission considered IL unques-
tonable that the nation by bestowing its
Offices upon the most meritorious of those
whom the States have educated at public ex-
pense will greatly honor and stimulate the
public school system of the country. The
report gives extracts from large number
of letters received from Postmasters and
Collectors, showing great benefit has accrued
TO the public service by the enforcement of
the civil service rules. Ii Is suggested that
party test should be no longer applied in the
selection of Collectors and Postmasters, and
that every corrupt exercise of power, nomi-
nation, promotion transfer, or confirmation,
even though the corrupt consideration may
not be "a thing of value" should be an of
Tense under the bribery laws.
The commission, in conclusion, declare the
civil service act a success, and do not doubt
that the most difficult point has passed.