The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-25
THE cIrIlrSERyIcE COMMISSION.
Written for the indianapolis Journal.

NrttteO TOT the Indianapolis Jourhai
The purport of this article Is to make an in
uuiry into the work of the Gvil-service Commits
sion, with view of setting before the public the
scope of its operations and of justifying its work
both in principle and practice. The writer may
be beside himself" but he sees. nevertheless in
this commission the result of an act of con-
gressional legislation which will be but the be-
ginning of chain of results, forced by the pub
lie will, out of which we shall see arising puri
fed civil service. and national and State contests
for power shorn largely of the fierce and bitter
acrimony so common in times past. 1t appears
to him that in proportion as the significance OF
questions at issue shall lie in the dominancy of
principles, these contests will summon to the
political arena those whom Office does not tempt
and brides cannot reach. When from the DO
litical docket can be swept all cases of private
favor, and a presidential campaign means the
discussion before the American people of great
questions of domestic and foreign policy, it may
well be deemed contest sufficiently inviting to
draw forth from their retirement the ablest men
of the Nation But for the attainment of this
desirable end condition may be regarded
as absolutely indispensable, viz: That the dis
tribution of power shall be regarded in no sense
as a reward for political service, but as means
fer the more effectual carrying out Of approved
political principles.
To this great end the civilcerviee bill was but
an initiatory step; and in the light of this
thought the annual reports of the commission
Scganized under it are vested with great interest.
How well the commission has performed the
work intrusted to it, and how well the law has
worked may be inferred from the following
statements:
l. 1t has received the unqualified support and
approval of the executive under whom it origi-
mated
3 1t has won from the heads of departments,
postmasters. collectors and the various officials,
under whose jurisdiction the act has taken
effect almost unanimous approval, the reasons
for which, by an analysis of the many letters re-
ceived, found to consist in these facts: That
almost entire relief has been experienced from
that solicitation and pressure for Office so COM
mon before, and which consumed SO much time
and thought; decided advance in the character
and capacity of appontees; a salutary influence
on the moral tone and business efficiency of the
entire force; and cessation of that inigutcus
practice which, couched under whatever form
you please, meant that government employees
must pay or CO.
g. We have a report of recent congressional
committee, consisting OF Democrats. and Repub-
licans alike, in which, without reservation, is
found, II l. mistake not unanimous ex-
preston Of approval And il to this explicit tes-
tinlony we should seek additional proof
of the favor with which its work is being
garded, we might cite the rapid progress the re-
form is making in the various States in the
Union, and the still greater fact that a months
experience of national life under a party sup
posed by its past actions and long fasting, to be
peculiarly susceptible to the Establishments of
the public crib, has given very substantial
assurance, that the public sentiment this
question IS to be respected, and that the civil
f,f rcovf bo
ical change. And when We couple with the con-
sssiaeraton Of our present state of advancement,
retrospect of our political history for fifty
years. and going beyond this, take note OF the
condition of affairs under the corrupt times of
Englands political history and the conditions of
political life in many of the states of Europe
which deem themselves advanced, we have rea-
for self-congratulation. The substantial
limitations imposed by the commission upon
applicants for examination respect age, morals
and physical and mental capacity, with the ex
ception that these do not all apply to soldiers
aud sailors honorably discharged from the serv-
ice. Persons who vouchers from
three or four responsible citizens to the effect
that their qualifications such that they
would intrust them with private business who
are not disqualified by physical weakness. who
do not drink habitLalIy to excess, together with
certain limitations to age, areeligible to exam
ination. The number of positions comprehended
under this commission is about IL, O0G They
may be grouped under, 1. The classified depart
mental service. e InG ClaSSaHeQ postal service.
3 The classified customs service
The Departmental service includes all
positions, with exceptions to be named. COM
manding salaries varying from $3.50 to 81, 800 and
over.
The postal service includes all positions above
the grade Of laborer.
The customs service affects places giving 5000
and over, when they are not subject to eonfirma-
ton by the Senate. Originally, these positions
were distributed as follows: to the first, 1850
Offices: to the second, $500 offices; to the third,
2.573 offices.
In these services the following exceptions are
made. l. The confidential clerk secretary of
any head Of department or office. 2 Cashiers
Of collectors. 3 Cashiers Of pestmasters f.
Superintendent of money order divisions in
postofffces 5. The direct castodians of money,
for whose fidelity another officer is under official
bond and disbursing officers having the custody
of money, who give bonds. g. Persons en-
pl0yed exclusivelyin the Secret Service as trans
lators or Interpreters, or steno2raphers. Z.
Persons whose employment is exclusively pro
fessonal. 8 Chief clerks, deputy collectors and
superintendents or chiefs of divisions or bureaus
During the past year 6347 persons were
amined, of whom 4 al proved themselves eligi-
bic for appointment OF those examined, 1 SOC
were appointed to positions OF those examined
and who passed. over 10 per cent. received their
education wholly in the public schools
Into their religious or political views
no inquiry whatever was made. All appoint
ments are to be apportioned among the States
and Territories and District of Columbia in the
ratio of their population The appointments to
the departmental service last year were 436, Of
which forty-seven were females.
The report says that the customs service and
postal service cannot make of the services of
women as fully as the departmental service. If
any examination the applicants excess
of the number that can be examined they are
notified in the order of application and their
names are presented for appointment in the
order of merit The following, taken from an
address by Hon. j M. Gregory, one of the com
Inissioners is to the point:
The examinations actually made are fourfold
/. The application paper, which the applicant
must make under oath, is rigid inquest into
the age, nativity. residence, health and physical
condition, present and previous business, educa-
ton and experience. If satisfactory,
9. Then comes the competitive examination