New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-26
TIE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.
THE PRESIDENT APPROVES THE POLICY IN LET
TFP tn CONGRFss.

|
| TER TO CONGRESS.
| WAsU1SGToN. March 25.-1he President sent
to Congress to-day third ANIMAL report Of the Civ
| Service Commission, together with the following
message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 25, 1886
| To The Scpatc ana House Of Representatives:
transmit herewith the report Of the Civil Service
Commission for the year ended on the l6th day oil
Touuary last The exhibit thus made Of the operations
OF tho Commission and the account thus prescnedo OF the
results following the execution OF Ciyl Service law can
not fail 20 demonstrate its usefulness and strength In the
con vicon that this scheme FOR reform in the methods
OF admiEtering the Government Is longer an expert
inent. Wherever this reform has gained foOthOd IL
has stead y advanced in the esteem Of those charged
with public administrative duties while the people who
desire good government have constantly been confirmed
I'm their high estimate OF its value and efficiency With
the benefits has already secured to the public service
plainly apparent and with It's promise Of Increased use
fulness easily appreciated this carse Is commented 10
the liberal and Jealous protection OF the Congress-
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Tho report says that applicants have been examined
within the year from every State OF the Union and from
every Territory except Utah From three to six differ
cnt examinations have been held III each or seventeen
states and there have been I'm all 100 different eXamna
TONS all OF which except five have been competitive al
which only eight persons were examined. The whole
number OF persons examined under the commission
during the year las been 1902 Of whom G,112 were
males and 73O woio females. Tue whole number thus
far examined since the passed has been 1891
OF tho 1902 examined during tho past year.
1904 attained the minimum OF 90 per cont which makes
ellabe for appointment. and 2S63 failed To snow
that degree OF proficiency and consequently arc IN
eligible for appointment. OF those examined q trl1e
loss thirds C6G. % cent? succeeded The
eIucatlon of those examined during the year exclusive
OF the Az who took tho special cXaminatonsl was a.
follows: 6.O53 only in the public schools, 75S in part
In colleges. and 327 in par, in business colleges.
The whole number Of appointments made during the
past year examined has been 1876 each for
the probationary period OF six months. to those we
add 23GO, the number made during the previous
eighteen months under the rules, it shows that 4l7G
nave appointed III two year5 his Is between Que
lnlrd fourth OF the whole nuihHer OF places 10
which the examinations extend ana Indicate. lha uoso
IN Office when Civ Service Act took effect Will be re
placed by appcans examined under 1t III rom eght 10
I'm h ,ny ier.o x3Iuned or desiring to be examined
that any discrimination has been made on political OF
religious grOun1s, that lie mas SGHeod any prejudice
by reason of his allIatOn with any church. party or
faction The adhcIeuts of each OF the great parties
being neatly equal number would seem to be Just
inference that about 900 republicans and about 1900
Democrats have secured places In the public service
under the Civil Service Act There are more man fVoO
places subject to the examinations distributed as
follows: 5000 in the departmental service at Washing
ton, 2.573 in the customs sevcc 1B9C IN the postal
service and several additional post onceS are ukey Z"
come under the examinations during tao current year
Political have been in considerable measure
suppressed solicitation ana pressure I0 apPo'niomts
been greatly limited Members OF congress nave
been relieved from much annoyance. ThOso administer
ing the Government have had thelr 'le nuon Tess tAI
NV Office than formerly anu have consequently
had much tine for doing the puDile work rhc
ability 10 dictate appointments ana enforce assess
mepts which has been the strength ana the prOnt OF
partisan manDulators and demagogues has, the report
SAYS diminished in the same degree that IhtDrul
study I'm the schools and good character aud reputation
in private life have been encouraged and rewarded
The growth of a sentiment favorable To the new sys-
TENS Is declared be IBpid all over the Union Con
corning President aud his Cabinet the report has
this language: Under al circumstances. and In every
part OF It's work. during the past year. not less than III
eyous years the commission has hai tue cordial ana
unswervlng support OF the President In no Instance
commission had occasion TO complain or any lack
OF friendly supper; tue part Of any head OF Depart
me It, but contrary t has bad decisive evidence
from each OF purpose 10 enforce the rules in good
faith . Indeed 1t has been significant feature
OF the reform movement from the beginning hat II mas
found Its greatest strength so far officials are con
oerncd ia Presidents and high executive Oiicera who
were and most familiar with The evils OF the
~ oils system. tue fact that The removal
would involve the surrender AZ tie outset OF the long en-
loved patronage of these officers; while, the other
come mainly from few members OF Congress, some
State and Federal officials and many small politicians,
none OF whom have any such knowledge or RESPONSE
bity, and whose participation III appointments mas
ALWAYS been simple inermeddlng and usuTpatiOn. In
other words those on whom the Constitution imposes
the duty OF securing good administration nave been the
friends OF reform while those VINO nave most lpNaueu
and usurped executive functions have been ts enemies
IL was the PresdcntsC ant, Hayes. Garfield Arthur
and the best OF tnHir Cabinets together Win the
and OF the customs Officers al the great
Offices at New York City who, before this Admlnlstra
ton. stood for reform policy"
In conclusion the report says that the experience
gained I'm Brooklyn and especially IN Boston nave SHOWN
the advantages Of the not only Tor Obtaining
good clerks aud policemen but for securing the bos
labOrers for the city work BOsen mas fairly taken De
selection skilled wOrkmen tor tho city sud or
ordinary aborers upon her streets out OF the hehds o
the city patronage mongers and ward politicians
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