New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-05
CIVIL SERVICE IN CITIES.
REGULATIONS OF Mr.. CLINToNs BILL.

EMPLOYEES TO BE ARRANGED IN CLASSES AND "a
AHMED.
TFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF ilh iN'"o',
h,n,xv March Mr. Clinton's bill TO put inc
Civil Service law in operation in cities was
-, a. assonhlv TODAY. This bill is supplement-
IN the Civil Service law of 1888 mat Ia" was
merely permissive so far as cities are concerhcu
that ia the Mayor of city could, IL he desreu' pun
the law in operation. The ctiesof kochester Syr"-
cuse, Troy and Albany have not availed themselves
of the privilege A..
Mr.. Clinton's bill makes it mandatory upon lhe
MAYORS of cities to put in force the regulations Oh
the law. Within twenty days after the bill be-
comes a law they are directed to have arranged In
classes all the department clerks and other en-
Moves Thereafter no clerk or empoye Is TO DO ap-
nointed or to be promoted in either of the classes
until he has passed an examination under reguia-
tions prescribed by the State Civil Service
Commissioner. The only persons eAcep'eu
from the commands of the act are Officers electeu
by the people; the head or heads OF any depart
ment of the city government; persons empoyeu
in or who seek TO enter the public service under
the educational department of any city; and any
subordinate officer who by virtue OF his once mas
personal custody of public moneys OF public securi-
ties for the safe-keeping of which the head oil an
Office Is under official bonds" Nor does the bill al
feet the policemen. or firemen in city,
OBJECTS OF THE BILL.
Mr.. Clinton opened the debate with on exposition
of the objects of the bill and statement Oh inc
reasons why it should be passed. lie argued th''
IL the Civil Service regulations benefited the o'a'e
service. they would surely increase the EMERGENCY
of the civil service of cities. w. b. smith
the new Democratic leader opposed the Dill
He offered an amendment providing that the act
shonld not 90 into effect in cities of moro tnan
10 600 population, unless accepted at popular
election. The amendment is an illustration OF q
fayorite device of the Democracy to evade parry
resnonsblity. Mr. Smith could only say that Civil
Service reform was yet an experiment, and that
it would be unwise to extend tne pro-
visions of the law at present to the details
| of city government.
| AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE DEFECTIVE SYSTEM
Mr.. Roosevelt criticised the Smith amendment
| saving in substance:
trnst the amendment will not be adopted II could
only he proposed with the idea OF killing the p ~ yo1
ment of a city charter referred to the eiues
| for decision before having IL passSd mere
shall we try to improve n defective system an VIC IT'LL
r. that we are trying to solve it, We Wish 10
two things 10 take the civil service out OF politics ana 70
Improve its efficiency. The present system huiIs ~ lie
90 much "a those who avail Themselves OF ~ II mus "o
remembered that there ia little State patronage put
great deal OF city patronage The minor ev was reacheu
fst wear: VIC now propose to reach the greater one
| Mr. Uouse and Mr.. Hunt also assalled the amehu-
\ ment. Mr. Dayton thought the act ongnt not "
| make il mandatory on the Mayors 10 enloIce !,
! JJpOn motion of Mr.. Hustled progress was Teporteu
on the hill by vote of 81 10 43. The bill, npon
| motion of Mr.. Clinton, was then ordered 10 tnliu
| reading by a vote OF Oh to 81.