Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-04-09
How Civil Service Reform Works.
The president has sent to congress the third
annual report Of the civil service commission.
together with the following mes sage:

The president has sent TO congress the third
annual report Of the civil service commissions
together with the following message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March %
T. the senate and House Of Representatives
/ transmit herewith the report oi the civil
service commission for the year ended the 10th
day Of January last. The exhibit thus made
of the operations OF the comm ss.on and the
account thus presented Of the results follow
ing he execution Of the civil service law can
not fail 20 demonstrate its usefulness and
strengthen the conviction that this scheme
for a reform In the methods. Of administer
ing the government Is no longer
an experiment Wherever this reform has
gained a ioothoh II has steaiily advanced in
the esteem OF those charged with public al
mini,tratiye duties, while the PEOPLE who de-
sire good government have constantly been
confirmed in their high estimate Il H. value
and efficiency.
With the benefits il has already secured to
the public service plainly apparent and with
its promise Of increased usefulness easily ap-
proXmated, this cause is commended to the
liberal care and jealous protection 81 Congress.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The report says applicants have been exam
med within the year from every state of the
union and from every territory except Utah.
The whole number Of persons examined under
the commission during the year has been
f6O!, Of whom G,si2 were males and 40 fe
males. The whole number thus far examined
since the act was passed has been l7,49l or
those examined trhe less than two-thirds
succeeded.
The whole number Of appointments made
during the past year from those examined has
been lS1i. each for the probationary period Of
six months. II 10 those We add 100, the
number made during the previous eighteen
months under the rules, IL shows that 4, l16
have Teen appointed N two years. Every one
OF the examinations has been open 90 all alike.
without regard TO political or religious opin-
ions.
About 2OCO Republicans aud about 1000
Democrats have secured places in the public
service under the Ciyil Service act. The report
states many particulars Of evils that were 90
be removed and how far they have been
remedicd under the new system based on free,
open competition of merit. Political
easements have been in con-
siderable measure suppressed Socita-
ton and pressure Cor appointments have been
greatly limited. Members Of Congress have
been relieved from much annoyance. Those
administer ne the government have had their
time much less taxed 10y Office seekers than
formerly and have consequently had inuch
more time for doing the pnhlc work. The
ability 10 dictate appointments aud enforce
assessments, which has been the strength and
the profit Of partisan manipuatars and dem
agogues. have the report saws, been dmin-
ishcd In the same degree that faithful study ip
schools and good character and reputation in
private life have been encouraged and reward
ed. The report concludes with statement
that the commission has had at all times the
cordial support Of the President aud his
Cabinet.