Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-03-22
The STRONGEST TESTIMONY YET.

Civil service reform, SO far as this coun-
Try is concerned, was inauguratsd upon
theory. Now come proofs of the
soundness of the doctrine. The New
York Custom House is the larg-
est receiving office for foreign goods
upon this continent the most important
revenue Office in the union, and second to
out one other in the world. The New
FORK Postotfice is the largest and most i'm.
poItant on the globe, the London and
Paris offices not excepted. The heads OF
cheese two departments were recently called
upon by the New York Civil Service Com
mission of New York for their testimony
Tor or against civil service reform rules as
exemplifed in their Offices.
Collector w. H. Robertson replies, and
pears witness in favor of the system, say
ing 1.-THE appointments are made upon
competitive examination wherever it is
practicable go to do. No wiser or safer
rule could be devised for filling these
oIhces. 1t gives the Government compe-
cent and intelligent servants. Under it
the employee obtains and retains his place
solely upon his merits, and not through
political influence or the partiality of the
appointing power, and consequently he
feels a sense of independence and security.
1t relieves the Collector of untold annoy
ances, and enables him to devote his whole
tlme to the discharge of his Legitimate
duties" He closes by advising New York
Co adhere to her new system and extend
it, because his experience is that it is pro-
ductive OF the most satisfactory results.
Postmaster H. G. Pearson makes long
ana detailed reply of like character. He
testifes that the public interest has been
advanced in the improvement of the postal
service by the adoption of competitive tests
Jr standards for the appointment of the
subordinate public servants employed
Gherein. To a greater or less extent
methods involving competitive tests have
obtained at the New York office since 1872,
out at first in a crude and imperfe ct form
no properly formulated system having
oeen adopted until 1879, when the "Rules
governing appointment and promotion in
she New York Postoffice," prepared by
lion. Thomas L. James, and approved by
the President and the Postmaster. General,
went into operation, and continued in force
until superseded by the rules prescribed by
the present Board of United States Civil
Service Commissioners.
- summing up of Mr.. Parsons testi.
may be thus made. l. The civil ser.
vice reform system relieves the appoint
ing office OF the burden formerly imposed
py the constant receipt and consideration
Of personal and written applications from
candidates for appointment and from their
friends, relatives, and others, based on 20.
Iitical. social, and benevolent considera-
tions. whereby he was prevented from Civ.
ing that exclusive attention to his official
duties which is necessary to their proper
performance.
2. Those chosen by competitive exam;-
nation are, as a rule, much bstter qualified
for the performance of the duties required
than those who obtained their positions
through political influence as reward for
political or personal services, or through
the natural desire of influential persons to
relieve themselves of incapable and shift.
less relatives and dependents by transfer.
ing the burden of their maintenance to the
Government. Men who have secured posi-.
sons solely by having demonstrated their
probable ability to fill them, and who enter
the service with the distinct understand
ing that their chances for retention and
promotion depend entirely upon the manner