The Portland daily press., 1886-03-26
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Third Annual Report Of the Com
mission.
Whole Number of Persons Examined
Since the ActWas Passed, i7,4e5'
other Interesting Facts Contained
In the Report.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-The President
sent to Congress today the third annual re-
port of the Civil Service Commission with
message, in which he says: "The exhibit
thus made of the operations of the Commits
sion and the account thus presented Of the
results following the execution of the civil
service law cannot fail to demonstrate its
usefulness and strengthen the conviction
that this scheme for reform in the methods
of administering the government is no longer
an experiment. Wherever this reform has
gained a foothold it has steadily advanced
in the esteem of those charged with public
administrative duties. while people who de-
sire good government have. constantly been
confirmed in their high estimate OF its value
and efficiency. With the benefits it has al
ready secured to the public service, as are
plainly apparent and with its promise OF In
creased usefulness easily appreciated this
cause is commended to the liberal care and
Jealous protection of Congress-
The report says that applicants have been
examined within the year from every State
in the union and from every Territory ex-
cept Utah. The whole number examined
under the commission during the year has
been 1862, of whom 6,772 were males and
$50 females. The whole number thus ex-
amined since the act was passed has been
II, ,495. OF the 1902 examined during the
past year, 5,034 attained minimum of 65
per cent, which makes them eligible for ap-
pointment and 1868 failed to show that de-
gree of proficiency, and consequently are in
eligible. The average age of those exam
ined was 30 years. 1t is also shown that the
average age of these who failed is less than
six months above the average age OF all
those who succeeded, so that the longer ex-
perience of business of life is almost an
exact equivalent of the more fresh recollec
tion of what had been learned in schools or
colleges. From this result it would seem,
the report says, that the examinations had
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 experienced in business affairs.
This is probably contrary to general belief.
The education of these examined during
the year exclusive of the ATT who took spe-
cial examinations was 6053 only in the pub
lie schools 75S in part in colleges, and 327 III
part in business colleges. The whole num-
Der of appointments made during the past
year from those examined has been 1876 each
of a probationary period of SIX months. II
to those we add 1900, the number made dur
ing the previous IS months, under the rules,
it shows that 4176 have been appointed in
two years. This is between third and
one-fourth of the whole number of places to
which examinations extend, and indicates
that those in office when the civil service act
took effect will be replaced by applicants eX-
amined under it in from eight to ten years.
open to all alike, without regard to political
or religious opinion, and no complaint has
been made to the commission by any person
examined or desiring to be examined, that
any discrimination has been made on p0lltl-
cal or religious grounds, or that he has sui
fered any prejudice by reason OF his afhlia-
tion with any church, party or faction. The
adherents of each of the great parties being
nearly equal in number, 1t would seem to be
Just inference that about 1000 Republicans
and about 2000 Democrats have secured
places in the public service under the civil
service act,
As bearing upon the probability of dis
elimination 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 1858
appointees to the departments at Washing
ton, and most of them appointed under the
ended the 10th of January last; yet every
one of them except IL has been given per-
manent appointment, and one of the eleven
not at first so appointed has been restored.
The report says also 1T seems to be
thus proved by experience that the examina-
tions are so adequate test of business
capacity that only about one out of forty of
those who are appointed are rejected after
trial Of six months in doing public work
This includes all reflections, if there have
been any, for political reasons"
In regard to the character of those ap
pointed, the report says that only about one
in ffty-six of those appointed have been re-
moved. There are more than $4,000 places
subject to the examinations, including $50 in
the departmental service at Washington,
2,573 in the customs service, $3.50 in the
postal SERVICE and several additional post
offices are likely to come under the examina-
tions during the current year.
The report states many particulars OF the
evils that were to be removed and how far
they have been remedied under the new sys-
tenn based on the free open competition OF
merit Political assessments have been In
considerable measure suppressed, sOlicita-
tions and pressure 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 office
seekers than formerly and have consequent
ly had much more time for doing the public
work. The ability to dictate appointments
and enforce assessments, which has been
strength and profit of partisan manlpulators
and demagogues has, the report says, been
diminished in the same degree that faithful
study in the schools and good character and
reputation in private life have been encour-
aged and rewarded Partisan activity in the
departments is much less than 1t was before
the civil service act was passed as each of
the more than i, 600 places subject to the ex-
aminationS is the report says, so much tax
en- from the Sp0ils to be disposed of by
patronage managers and so much added to
the prizes to be won by the most worthy APP
plicants.
The report shows how the examinations
strengthen the school system of the country,
and that the general results have been as
salutary in New York and Massachusetts,
the federal service. The commission declare
it has no patronage and no power to grant
favors. The growth of the sentiment favor
able to the new system is declared to be rap
i'd all over the Union.
Concerning the President and his Cabinet,
the report has this language:
Under all circumstances, and in every part of
its work during the past year, not less than in
previous years, the Commission has had the cor
dial and answering support Of the President. In
no instance has the Commission had occasion to
complain of any lack of friendly support on the
part Of any head OF department, but on the con
purpose to enforce the rules in good faith. PreSi
dent Cleveland has neither allowed their applica-
tion to be enthusiastically single officer. nor con-
sented to the appointment of single officer in vi
Oation OF the rules.
The Commission express the views of
the President and of the members of his
Cabinet in declaring that the enforcement of
the new system thus far has so emlnently
demonstrated its beneficial effects in various
ways that it should no longer be regarded as
experimental but as part of the established
policy of the government 1t has been a
significant feature of the reform movement
from the beginning that it has found its
greatest strength so far as officials are con-
cerned in the President and high executive
officers, who were nearest to and most familiar
with the evils of the spoils system, notwith-
standing the fact that removal would in
volve the surrender at the outset of the long
enjoyed patronage of these officers while ON
the other hand the greatest opposition to the
new system has come mainly from a few
congressman, some State and federal officials
and many small politicians, none of whom
have any such knowledge or responsibility,
and whose participation in appointments has
been simple intermeddling and usurpation.
1t was Presidents Grant, Arthur and Gar
field, and the best men of their Cabinets, to-
gether with the postmaster and some of the
customs officers at the great offices at New
York city who, before this administration,
stood for reform policy.
The report in conclusion states that only
larger force for the commission and an ade-
quate appropriation are needed to enable
examinations of an appropriate kind,
and to be extended not only to the smaller
post offices and customs Offices but to the
railway mail service, to the mints, to the
District of Columbia, to the internal revenue
offices, to the consular service, to promo
tions, and wherever else they may in the
light of larger experience be thought useful
VALUABLE CATTLE BURNED.