The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-12

been apportioned among the States and Terri
tories in conformity to the law. and the table at
tached to the report shows that very close APP
Proclamation to the exact apportionment has
been secured. The report says every provision
favorable 20 soldiers and sailors is preserved un,
der the civil service rules; that the rules have
greatly checked removals for partisan and self.
ish reasons. although they in no way obstruct,
but rather facilitate removals for good causes.
and that the collection of political assessments
has been, In a large measure, arrested.
Inc report advises legislation upon the model
or the New York law of 1884 approved by Gov
ernor Cleveland, which forbids any one, whether
n public officer or not, to solicit contributions
from persons in the pnblie service. The report
quotes the language OF the last annual message
of the President, to the effect that the good
results anticipated from the new system have
been more than realized, and declares such is
the view of every member of the Cabinet.
Nearly twenty pages of the report arc devoted
to extracts from letters written to the commits
sion by postmasters and customs officers at offices
where examinations are held. While there are
in these letters criticisms Of some parts or the
new system. the testimony is, in the opinion or
tho commission, decisive and unanimous as to
its great usefulness as a whole. The re-
lief from the veXatious and demoraiizlng
solicitation for Office. which before took much
of the time of such officers. seems, the report
says. to have been very great. The report sum
marizes the general results as follows:
'First-That the partisan and proscriptive
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 PEG
pie, be rejected. and that in their place the test
of character and capacity. irrespective of polit-
zeal or religious opinions, be substituted.
'~Second-That,w with tho growing approval of
Congress itself, shown by the increased appro-
~priations for the commission. and with great re-
lief and advantage IN the departments and Of
fees, declared by those who preside over them.
the old system of congressional influence and Of
fetal favor for securing appointments may be
arrested if not destroyed.
''Third-Thata system of open, free, public
examination, under a non-partlsan commission,
may be successfully conducted for testing the
character and capacity needed in the public
service, without extending the examination,
except for a small number of special places.
beyond the subjects deemed SO essential to sue
cess in private business. and for the discharge of
the common duties of citizens, which they are
required to be taught Mt public expense in the
common schools throughout the country.
"Fourth-That the merit system of office, of
which such examinations are the most import
ant part. even under all the disadvantages at
tending it's first introduction, has proved itself
capable of supplying for the public work officers
at least as capable as those secure under any
other system, without introducing any of the
evils peculiar to itself.
"Fifth-That the new system is rapidly sup
pressing the old practice under which members
If Congress were almost compelled by their
constituents to become hunters and agents for
places and promotions in the departments.
whereby steady encroachment was being made
by the legislative upon the executive depart
ment, if indeed, the practice was not equally
destructive to the independence of both.