St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-01
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The President Drafts a Message Ac-
c0mpanying the Report OF the
Commission.
Their Advice is, That Changes Should Not
be Made When a Party Goes Out
Of Power.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 29.-The following
message was sent to congress to-day: "To the
senate and house of representatives. In
compliance with the act of congress, ap-
proved January 10, 1888 entitled an act
to regulate and improve the civil service of
! the United States The civil service com
mission has made to the president its first
annual report, and that is herewith trans
mitted, together with communications from
the head of the several executive depart
ments Of the governments, respecting the
practical working of the law under which the
commission has been acting. Upon the
good results which that law has already ac-
| complished, l congratulate congress and the
people, and l avoW my conviction, that it
will henceforth prove to be of still more sig
nal benefit to the public service.
heartily commend the zeal and
fidelity of the commissioners and their
suggestions for further legislation, and l
advise the making of such an appropriation
as shall be adequate for their needs.
(Signed) CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
Executive Mansion, Feb. IS, 1884.
The report makes volume of sixty-seven
closely printed pages. 1t states that several
of the results which appear to be the more
direct objects of the law and the civil service
rules as understood by the commission, are :
First, That official authority and influence
must no longer be used to impair the free
dom of elections or coerce the political ac-
ton Of the citizens.
Second. Extortion from those in public
service, whether under the form of political
assessments or otherwise, for the purpose Of
paying the expenses of parties or candidates,
must come to an end.
Third. Selections for the executive ser
vice on the basis of official favor and parti-
san influence, must he suppressed, by re-
curing examinations and other adequate
tests of character and capacity, as conditions
for entering this service. The true response
bility and independence Of the legislative
and executive departments under the con-
stitution must be restored and preserved.
Upon the subject of political assess
ments, the report saws, there
have been several violations OF
the law, but trihing sums were secured, and
The illegal practice ceased upon public atten-
ton being called to it. The amount col
ccted 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 is set forth at great length,
examinations fully described. The difficulty
attending the classification Of the civil service
is dwelt upon at length, and the statement
made, that at the large offices, the power and
opportunity for intrigue and selfish influence
are dangerously great. In three branches Of
the classified service the number of places to
be filled on the basis of competitive examin-
atoms, is in the aggregate -, 1924. The in
civ 10 in no cd
carries the number above $4,000. The
opinion is expressed that salutary effect
would follow by the selection of chiefs Of
bureaus, postmasters and collectors at the
larger offices from among the subordinates,
who would bring business experience rather
than partisan activity to those positions. The
report states, that soldiers and sailors, honor
ably discharged, by reason Of disability, if
capable are allowed preference, and no
where is there any favor or disadvantage al
lowed by reason Of sex.
The commission hold, that the power of
removal, and its exercise, for just reasons,
are essential both to discipline and efficiency
in the public service. A
life tenure would be indefensible.
cit is still possible" says this report, ''to
promise the spoils of a hundred thousand
offices as the rewards of party victory in the
national canvas. 1t is still possible to re-
move every person in the classified service
once in four years, or once in four months,
but vacancies can be filed only by those
who, irrespective of party, demonstrate supe-
rority in a free, open competition of charac-
ter and capacity" 1t appears from the sta
tistics presented with the report that sixty
five per cent. Of all those who entered the
service through the competitive ex
aminations, were educated in the common
schools alone, and the commission cOnsiderit
UNREASONABLE that the nation, by bestowing
its offices upon the most meritoriOus of those
whom the state educated at the 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 collec-
tors, showing the great benefit that has ac-
crued to the public service by the enforce
ment of the civil service rules. It is sug-
gested that the party test be no longer applied
in the selection of postmasters and collectors
and that every corrupt exercise of power for
nomination, promotion, transfer or confir-
nation, even though the corrupt cOnsidera-
ton may uot be thing of value should be
an offence under the bribery laws. The
commission in conclusion, declare the civil
service act a success, and do not doubt the
most difficult point has passed. Though every
stage of its work the commission has had
the constant and unwavering support of
President Arthur.