Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-13
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Synopsis of the second Annual Report
of the Commission.

Synopsis of the second Annual Report
of the Commission.
The second annual report of the Civil
Service Commission is a comprehensive
document. giving full account of the
action Of the commission and Of the re-
suits achieved. 1t says:
1.-THE civil service law has been found prac-
ticable and effective for the accomplishment
of its purpose. During the year persons have
been examined from every State and Terri
tory except Idaho. One hundred and sixty
two examinations have been held and 6,S47
persons nave been examined, Of whom 5,525
were males and 822 females.
"Of those examined 4. al raised at the grade
showing them competent for public service
and 2,706 failed. The whole number of ap-
pointments made under the commission has
been 2,322.'
sion has no reason to believe that any dis
elimination on political grounds has been
made in the Appointments. and positively
asserts that none has been made in connection
with the EXAMINATIONS. 1t Is declared that
no complaint has come to this commission
by any person examined, or DIES ring 10 be
examined, Of any such discrimination. The
whole number examined in the department
service has been 2,276, of whom 1912 were
males and 534 were females. OF the males
965 and OF the females 373 succeeded at the
pointments 10 the departments at Washing
ton during the year has been 43S, of which 39l
were males and AZ were females.
CHANCES OF JUST TESTS.
The report summaries the general results
as follows:
/, That the partisan and proscrptive
tests long enforced at the gates of the depart
ments and great offices may, without loss OF
any kind and with increasing support from
the people, be rejected, and that in their
plare tests of character and capacity. ire
spectIve of political or religious opinions,
may be substituted.
2. That with the growing approval of
Congress ITSELF shown by increased apprO-
priatiOn for the commission. and with great
relief and advantage in the departments and
offices declared by those who preside over
them. the old system Of Congressional lnfu
ence and official favor for serving appoint
ments may be arrested, if not destroyed.
g. That the system OF open, free, public eX-
aminations, under a non partisan commission,
may be successfully conducted for testing the
character and capacity needed In the public
service, without extending the examination.
except for q small number of special places
beyond subjects which are deemed so essen
tiai to success in private business, and for the
discharge of the common duties Of citizens,
that they are required to be taught at public
expense in the common schools throughout
the country.
4. That the merit system of office, of which
such examinations are the most important
part, even under all the dlsadYaI tagcs attend
ing its first introduction, has proved itself
capable Of supplying for the public work Off
GERS at least as worthy and capable as those
secured under any other system without in
Producing any evils peculiar to itself.
5. That the new system is rapidly suppress
ing the old practice under which members Of
Congress were almost compelled by their con-
stltuents to become hunters and agents for
places and promotions in departments,
whereby a steady encrOachment was being
made by the Legislative upon the Executive
Department, if, Indeed. the practice was not
equally destructive of the independence of
both. But it should be mentioned that pa
70 on NJ Of no
tive also are being in equal measure sup
pressed.