The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-04
CIvIL-sERvICE RULES.
Changes and Reforms To BE Effected Under
the New Commission.


Washington Special to Philadelphia Times
II Is understood that the President has under
constoeraton several changes in the civil service
rules, ana that these changes will go into effect
upon the formation of the new Commission.
The notifications are designed to remedy some
of the incongruites of the present administra-
ton of the law. They do not materially alter
the scope of the application of the civil-service
law, but rather contribute to its more successful
enforcement. They have been made after con-
sultation with and at the suggestion of depart
mental officials who have by experience demon
strated the necessity of such changes One of
the most important because necessary, changes,
it is said, is the better classification of com
petitive examinations. Under the present rules
the question of salary decides the character of
the examinations, whereas salary does not indi-
cate the character of the work on which the sue
cessful candidate is to be employed. For in
stance bureau chief makes requistion on the
Clvil-service Commission for male copyist; the
commission certifes one of the highest candi-
dates. This man may have passed only moder-
ately we'll In penmanship, and got his grade
through proficiency i'll mathematics history and
general information AS a copyist he is not
what is needed; in fact, will not do at all. Per-
haps It is an accountant wanted and man is
sent who is nigh In everything else but accounts.
In some OF the offices portion of the work is
simply mechanical, and is purely matter of
dexterity, such handling letters, shifting mail
bags asserting money orders, ETC., yet the same
examination and mental test is applied as is to
men performing clerical work.
The departments have no option under the
present rules. but, as was decided in two notable
cases, are compelled to accept the man sent
them and let him serve his probationary term of
six months. At the end Of that time he can be
discharged as incompetent, as Mr.. Virgins was
discharged from the War Department. This is
a hardship to the man. as he may be we'll quail
fed for certain kind Of work The present
rules, in short. select under general system
persons who are to render special services of a
wide range of dissimilarity. The pegs do not fit
the holes. This is regarded as the greatest diff
ficulty in the operation of the rules as they now
stand.
To remedy it without weakening the system
itself by multiplicity of grades was the prob
lem with which the President and his subordi-
mates have had to grapple. 1t was thought bet
ter to start out afresh under the auspices of the
new Commission So far the President has had
less difficulty with his revision of the rules than
with getting the men TO administer them.
Everybody who is decent enough to place in
charge of this very important branch of the pub
lie service is too respectable to accept the mole
hill salary and mountain of personal abuse. The
places are not courted by the proper persons. It
is believed one of them has been accepted, but
the reorganization of the Commission will now
not be made until the Presidents return from
Ruffalo