The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-03-06
CIVIL SERVICE.
First Annual Report of that Com:
missiOn-A Splendid
Showing

First Annual Report OF that Com:
missiOn-A Splendid
Showing.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.--The follow
ing message was sent 70 congress to-
day: "To the senate and house of rep
resentatives: In appliance with an
act of congress, approved January 16,
1888, entitled IAN act to regulate and
improve the civil service of the I'm
tied States, the.civil service commits
sion has made to the president its fist
annual report. That report is here
with transmitted. together it'll COM
muntcaiions from the heads of the
several executive departments of the
government respecting the working
law. under which the co commission has
been acting. upon good results
which that law has al
ready accomplished. congratulate
congress ana the people, and avow
my conviction that it will henceforth
prove still more sign benefit to the
public service. / heartily commend
the fidelity of the commits 'ioners and
their suggestions for further legisla-
ton, and advise making such appro-
pristion as shall be adequate for their
needs.
(Signed) CHESTER b. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 20
The Report makes a volume of 81
closely printed pages. 1t states that
the several results which APP
pear to be the more direct objects of
the law and civil service
rules, as understood by the commits
sion, are first-that the official author
ity and influence must no longer be
used to impair the freedom of cleo
tions or to coerce the political actions
of citizens; second-that extor on
| from those in public service, whether
under the form of political ASSESS
ments or otherwise, for the purpose of
paving the expenses of parties or
candidates, must come to an end;
| third-SelectionS for executive SER
vice on a basis of official favor, and
! partisan influence, must be suppressed
| by requiring examinations and
other adequate tests OF character.
and capacity, asiconditions of entering
this service; sfourth-the true respon-
sibility and independence, legislative
and executive departments, under the
| constitution, must be restored and
preserved upon the subject of politi-
cal assessments. The report says
there have been several violations of
the law, but only trifling sums we're
secured and the illegal. practice ceased
upon public attention being called to
il. The amount collected from fed
eral officers since the act went into
effect, was not more than one-half or
one-quar er as much as for
merly. The evils of the spoils
system are set forth at great length,
and the benefits derived from compet-
tive examinations fully described.
The difficulty attending the ella silica
ton of civil service is dwelt upon at
length, and the statement made that
at large, officers the power and OPP
portunity for intrigue, in danger
ously great. In three branches of
classified service, the number that
have been placed on the basis of
competitive examinations is, in the
aggregate, 1924. The increase
since made in classiied service
carries the number 14,000. The opin-
ion is expressed that salutary effects
would follow the selection of chiefs of
bureaus, postmasters and collectors at
larger Offices, from among subordi-
mates, who would bring business ex-
perience rather than partisan activity
to those positions. The report stated
that soldiers and sailors, honorably
discharged by reason of disability, IL
| capable, are allowed the preference
and now he is there any favor
or disadvantage allowed, by
reason of sex. The commission
holds the power of removal,
! and its exercise for just reasons are
essential both to discipline and effici-
ciehcy of the public service. A life
| tenure would be indefensible. 1t is
still possible, says the report, to
promise spoils of hundred thousand
offices, as rewards for party victory in
"a 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 vacancies can be filed only by
those who. irrespective of party, dem
onstrate their superiority in free, open
competition, of character and capacity.
| 1t appears from statistics presented
with the report, that 60 per cent OF all
| those who have entered the services
| through competitive examinations
were educated in common schools
| alone and the committee consider it
! tAktab viz labAOAAs W
bestowing its fayors on the most
l.merltorious of those who have been
educated at the public expense will
| greatly honor and stimulate the pub
lie school system of the country. The
report gives extracts from a large
number of letters received from post
masters and collectors. showing that
great benefit has accrued to the public
service by the enforcement of the
civil service rules. It is suggested
that the party test be
no longer applied in the
selection Of collectors and postmas-
tiers, and that every corrupt exercise
of power, nomination, promotion,
transfer or confirmation, even though
corrupt considerations may now be
thing of virtue, should by an offense
under the bribery laws. The commits
sion, in conclusion, declare the civil
service act a success, and do not
doubt that the most difficult point has
passed. Though every stage Of its
work, the commission has been con-
slant and unwavering In its support
of President Arthur.
|