Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-26
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
THE THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE COMMISSION.

Fresident Cleveland Highly Endorses
the Workings Of the Law-7.6O APP
plicants Examined of Whom 5.O34
Pass-The Benefits of Practical Expe-
rience and Collegiate Education
Brought in C0ntrsst-PrObable Length
of the IncumbencY-NO Partisan Dis
criminAtiOn-Evils Remedied.
WASHINGTON, March 25.-The Presi-
dent sent to Congress to-day the third
annual report Of the Civil Service Com
mission, together with message, in
which he says: "rhe exhibit thus made
OF the operations of the commission, and
the account thus presented OF the results
following the execution of the civil ser
vice law, cannot fail to demonstrate its
usefulness and strengthen the conviction
that this scheme for reformln 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 the
people who desire good government have
cOnstantlybeen confirmed in their high es-
innate of its value and efficiency with the
benefits it has already secured to the pub
lie service plainly apparent, and with its
promises of increased usefulness easily
appreciated, this cause is commended to
the liberal care and jealous protection of
Congress"
THE NUMBER EXAMINED.
The report says that applicants have
been examined within the year from every
State of the Union, and from every Terri
tory 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 1881. OF
1902 examined during the past year,
!, 034 attained the minimum Of 50 per cent.
which makes them eligible for appoint
ment, and 1853 failed. The average age
OF all those examined was 80 years, from
which ii would appear that there must
nave been on an average period OF from
Z to 16 years OF practical lite intervening
between the time of completing their ed
ucation and the time OF their entrance
into public service.
BUSINESS LIFE VS.. BOOKS.
1t 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 lon
ger experience Of business life is almost
the exact equivalent of mere fresh recOl-
lection of what has been learned in the
schools or colleges. From this result it
would seem, the report says, that the eX-
amiBations have been such as to almost
equally divide the chances OF success be-
tween those who are best posted in their
studies and those who are most expert
enced In business affairs. This is prob
ably contrary to the general belief. The
education of those examined during the
year, exclusive Of AIT who took special
examinations, was as follows: 6,053 only
in public schools, 75S in part in colleges,
and 327 in part in business colleges.
HOW THEY STAND.
If we class those who have attended
business colleges with those who have
been in other colleges. those educated IN
the public schools alone are more than 80
per cent. of the whole number examined.
and those who have been in COLLEGE are
less than IS per cent. II the business
colleges are not so classed the ratio will
be that OF So per cent. educated in schools
to IA per cent. in colleges. The whole
number OF appointments made during the
past year from those examined has been
1876, each for prohibitiOnar
period OF six months. II TO those
we add 400, the number made
during the prevhHs eighteen months I'M
der the rules, il shews that 4,1T6 have
been appointed in two years.
TENURE OF OFFICE.
This is between one-thIrd and one-fourth
OF the whole number Of places to which
the examinations extend, and indicates
that those in Office when the civil service
act took effect, will be replaced by appli-
Giants examined under 1t in from S to 10
years. No complaint has been made to the
commission by any person examined or
desiring to be examined, that any discri-
mination has been made on political or
religious grounds, or that ne has suffered
any prejudice by reason OF his utilization
with any church, party or faction. The
sdherents OF each of the great parties be-
ing nearly equal in number, it would
seem 10 be a just inference that about
1000 Republicans and about 1000 Demo
Gratis have secured places in the public
service under the civil service act.
NO DISCRIMINATION
As bearing upon the probability OF dis
elimination and also upon the character
and capacity Of those appointed under
the rules it NAV he stated that during the
past year the six months probationary
term Of 1858 appointees to tine
of them appointed under the last
administration, expired during the
year ended on Jan. l6, last, yet every
one Of them except eleven mas been given
a permanent appointment and one Of the
eleven not at first so appointed mas been
restored. The report saws also that it
seems to be thus proved by experience
that examinations arc so adequate a test
of business capacity that only about one
ont Of 40 Of those who are Appoi nted are
rejected after a trial Of six months in
doing public work.
EVILS RENfEDIRD.
The report states many particulars OF
evils that were 10 be removed and how
far they have been remedied under the
new system, based on the free open COM
petition Of merit, political assessments
have been, In a considerable measure,
suppressed. Solicitation and pressure
for appointments have been greatly limi-
ted. Members OF Congress have been re-
lieVed from much annoyance. Those ad-
ministerng the government have had
their time much less taxed by once seek
ers than formerly, and have consequently
had much more time for doing public
work. Tue ability to dictate appoint
ments and enforce assessments which has
been the strength and profit OF partisan
manipulators 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 encouraged and re-
warded.
PARTY WORK REDUCED.