The Iola register., 1885-02-20
CIVIL SERVICE.
Report OF the Civil Service Commission
Last Years Work-The Work to be Ac.
compiished-Cotes.

Last fear'S WOrk-The work to be Ac-
compiished-Notes.
WASHINGTON, February 12.-The Pres.
! ident has transmitted to Congress the
second annual report of the Civil Service
Commission. covering the period from Jan.
uary 16, 1884, to January is, 1855. In his
letter of transmittal, lie says: "The COM
mission is in the second year of its exist
ence. The President congratulates the
country upon the success of its labors, COM
mends the subject to the favorable consider
alton of Congress, and asks for an appro-
priation to continue the work.r The re-
port is a comprehensive document, giving a
full account of the commission and the re-
suits ithas achieved. 1t says the civil service
law has been found practicable and effective
for the accomplishment of its purpose.
During the year persons have been ex-
amined from every State and Territory en-
cept idaho. One hundred and sixty-two
examinations have been held, and 6,3:331
persons examined, OF whom 5,535 were
males and 81 females. OF those examined
4,141 passed ut grade showing them
competent for public service, and 2,2O6
failed. The average of all examined was
nearly thirty years. The great body of
public servants, the report says, are being
drawn from class educated in public
schools. The whole number of appoint
ments, made under the the Commission have
been 2,322. The report declares the COM
mission has no reason to believe that any
discrimination on political grounds have
been made in these appointments, and posi-
lively asserts none las been made in con-
nection with the examinations Ii is de
clared that no complaint has come to the
Commission by any person examined OF de-
string to be examined, of any such dis
elimination. The opinion is expressed that
about one-haif OF all those appointed have
been adherents of each of the great parties.
As bearing upon the question of discrimina-
tion, the report calls attention to the fact
that one hundred and nine appOintees to the
departments at Washington have served out
the probationary period (six monthsl, dur
Ing which their politics would naturally
have become known, yet every one of these
appointeeS received unconditional reap
pcintment except two, and one of the eX-
cepted cases was that OF resignation
Only single complaint was made of pOiti-
cal discrimination against any appointing
officer and that was the case of post
master in Ohio. After investigation by the
committee no evidence appeared in support
of the charge. There is no discrimination
by the commission in examinations or other
wise on the ground of sex. The appoint
ments to the departments have been appor-
TONED among tine States and Territories in
conformity to the act and table attached
To the report shows very close apprOxina-
ton to the exact apportionment has been
nI ,ltl nr. tl,..,
visioi, that has been favorable to the
soldiers and sailors is preserved under the
civil service rules; that the rules have
greatly checked removals for partisan and
selfish reasons, although they i'm no way OBJ
struct but rather facilitate removals for
good cause; and the collection of political
assessments has been in large measure
arrested. The report advises legisia-
tiOn upon the model of the New
York law of 1884. approved by Governor
Cleveland, which fOrbids any one, whether
public officer or not, to solicit contribu-
ti0nS from persons in the public service
The report quotes the language of the last
annual message of the President to the eff
feet that the good results anticipated from
the new system have been more than real
lied, and declares such is the view of every
member of the cabinet. Nearly twenty
pages of the report are devoted 10 extracts
from the letters written to tie Commission
by several poStmasterS and customs officers
at the office where examinations are held.
While there are in these letters criticisms of
some parts of the new system. the testi
mony is, in the opinion of the Commission.
decisive and unanimous as to its great use
fu!Bess as n whole. The relief from the
vexatiOus and demOraliZing solicitation for
Office, which before took much Of the time
Of such officers, seems. the report SAYS, to
have been very great. The report
summarizes the general results as follows:
First-That partisan and prospective tests,
long enforced at the gates of departments
and aI the great Offices. may, without loss of
any kind and with increasing support from
the people, be rejected. and tEat in their
place the test of character aud capacity, ir-
respective of political or religious opinions
be substituted.
Second-That with the growing approval
of Congress Itself, shown by the increased
for the Commission rs the
great relief and advantage in the depart
meuts and Offices declared by those who pre-
side over them. the old system of Congress
sional influence and official favor for secur-
ing appointments may be arrested II net de-
strOyed.
Third-That the system of open, free pub
lie examination under non partisan COM
mission may be successfully conducted for
testing the character and capacity needed
i'm the public service, without extending the |
except for small number |
of special places beyond the subjects deemed |
SO essential to success in private business
ard for the discharge of the common duties |
of a citizen that tDey are required to be
taught at the public expense in the common
schools throughout the country.
Fourth-That tho merit system of Office OF
which such examinations are the most i'm
portant part. even under all the disadvant.
ages attending its first introduction has
proved itself capable of supplying for public |
work officers. at least rs capable as those Sc |
cured under any other system without intro |
ducing any evils peculiar to itself.
Fifth-That the new system is rapidly sup
pressing the old pract .ce under which MEM
hers of Congress were almost compelled by !
their constituents to become hunters and |
agents for places and promotion in the de- |
partmeEts whereby a steady encroachIneDt |
was being made by the legislative upon the |
department, if indeed, the practice |
was not equally destructive of the independ. |
ence OF both.
NOTES.
The Solicitor of the Treasury has referred |
the offer of Madame Airline, to compromise |
the suit pending against her in Chicago for |
violation of the customs laws, TO the United |
States District Attorney at Chicago for in |
7estigation and report. The acceptance of |
The offer is subject in turn To the approval |
Df the District Attorney, SaiicitOr of the /
Treasury and Secretary of the Treasury.
First Comptroller Lawrence has given the
opinion that the rate of compensation to he
allowed telegraph companies for services
rendered the Government as fXeI by the |
Postmaster General on the 4tl of Septenl-
Der, 1884, shall govern the rate to be allowed
lie entire fiscal year beginning July I, 1884
The condition OF Speaker Cariisleis much !
improved, and his physician thinks he will |
De able to be out as soon as the weather
nodsrateS.