Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-27

me Prssuaess rransatss % Csssrsss
the Annual Report OF the
Commission.

Service Commission, together with
message. in which be says: The ex-
hibit thus made Of the operations OF the
Commission, and the account thus pre-
sen,ed of the results following the exc.
cution of the civil-service law cannot fail
TO demonstrate its usefulness and
strengthen the conviction that this
scheme for reform in the me.
thods of administering the Govern
ment is no longer an expert
ment. Wherever this reform has
gained a foothold it has steadily ad-
yanced in the esteem of those charged
with public administrative duties;
while people who desire good govern
ment have constantly been confirmed in
their high estimate Of its value and
efficiency. With the benefits it has
already secured to the public service
plainly apparent, and with its promise
of increased usefulness easily appre-
ciated, this cause is commended to the
liberal care and Jealous protection of
Congress.
(SignedI GROVER CLEVELAND.
The report says that applicants have
been examined 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
1902. Of whom 6,S72 were males and
730 females. The whole number thus
far examined since the act was passed
has been II ,49l. OF 1902 examined
during the past year, 1904 attained the
minimum Of 65 per cent, which makes
them eligible tor appointment, and
1858 failed. The average age Of all
those examined was thirty years, from
which it would appear that there must
have been on the average period Of
from seven to sixteen years Of practical
life intervening between the time OF
completing their education and the time
of their entrance into public service.
II is further shown by the report that
the average age Of those who failed is
less than six months above the average
age of all those who succeeded,
SO that the longer experience
of business life is almost the
exact equivalent of the mere fresh
recollection Of what has been learned
in schools or colleges. From this re-
suit it would seem, the report says,
that the examinations have been
such as to almost equally divide
the chances of success between
those who are best posted in their
studies and those who are most expe-
rienced in business affairs. This is
probably contrary to the general belief.
The education Of those examined during
the year, exclusive Of Al who took
special examinations, was as fol-
lows 6,O53 only in public schools
1853 in part in colleges, and 327 in part
in business colleges. IL we class those
who have attended business colleges
with those who have been in other col
leges those educated in public schools
alone are more than 81 per cent. of the
whole number examined, and those
who have been in college are less than
Is per cent. II business colleges are
not so classed the ratio will be that of
sc per cent. educated in schools to II
per cent. in colleges.
The whole number Of appointments
made during the past year from those
examined has been 1876, each for the
probationary period Of six months. If
to those we add $500, the number
made during the previous eighteen
months under the rules, it shows that
4,l76 have been appointed in two years.
This is between one third and one
fourth of the whole number Of places
to which the examinations extends and
indicates that those in Office when the
ciyil-service act took effect will
be replaced by applicants examined
under it il from eight to ten years. No
has been made to the Com
mission by any person examined or
desiring to be examined that any dis
has been made on political
Or religious grounds, or that he has suf,
fered any prejudice by reason of his
affiliation with any Church, party, or
faction. The adherents Of each Of the
great parties being nearly equal in num-
Der, it would seem to be just infer
ence that about 1000 Republicans and
about 1000 Democrats have secured
places in the public service under the
civil-service act. AS bearing upon
the probability Of discrimination and
also upon the character and capacity Of
those appointed under the rules it may
be stated that during the past year the
six months probationary term Of 3jS
appointees to the Departments at Wash
iDgton, and most Of them appointed
under the last Administration, expired
during the year ended 10th Of January
last; yet every one Of them except
eleven has been given permanent ap-
pointment, and one Of the eleven, not
at first so appointed, has been restored.
The report says also that it seems to
be thus proved by experience that the
are so adequate test Of
business capacity that only about one
out Of forty-one Of those who are APP
pointed are rejected after trial Of six
months in doing public work.
The report states many particulars
Of evils that we're to be removed, aud
how far they have been remedied under
the new system, based on free, open
of merit. Political assess
ments have been in considerable mea-
sure suppressed; solicitation and pres
sure for appointments have been greatly
limited members of Congress have
been relieved from much annoyance
those administering the Government
have had their time much less
taxed by oflice-seekers than for
merly, and have consequently had much
more time for doing public work. The
ability tn dictate aDnointmentS and on.