The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-24

gratulations.
WASHINGTON, July 23.-The President
to-day sent to congress the following mes
sage:
~, the Congress- Of the United States:
Pursuant to the second section of chapter q
of The laws of 1888, entitled, An act to regulate
and improve the civil service of the United
states" herewith transmit the fourth report
If the United States civil service commission,
covering the period between the 10th day of
January, 1886, and the list day of July, 1851
While this report has especial reference to the
operations of the commission during the period
above mentioned, IL contains with It's accompa-
nving appendices much valuable information
concerning the inception Of civil service reform
and its growth ana progress which cannot fail to
be interesting aud instructive to all who desire
Improvement in administrative methods Dur
ipg The time covered by the report 15.S32 per
sons were examined for admission in
the classified civil service of the govern
nent i'll all its branches, of whom 1916
passed examination and BIOS failed.
of those who passed the examination 2917 were
applicants for admission to the departmental
service at Washington, 2,54I were examined for
admission to the customs service, and 5 222 for
admission 10 the postal service. During the
same period 54 appointments were made from
the eligible lists TO the departmental service,
Gal to the customs service, and 3,2H to the
postal service.
SEPARATION FROM THE SERVICE.
Concerning separations from the classified
service the report only informs us of such as
have occurred among employees in the public
service who haG been appointed from the eli
eble lists under the civil service rules When
these rules took effect they did not apply to
persons then in the service, comprising full
complement Of employees who obtained their
positions Independently of the new law. The
commission has no record of the separations
in this numerous class. The discrepancy appa-
rent in the report between the number Of ap-
pointments made in the respective branches of
the service from the lists of the commission
and the small number of separations mentioned
is to great extent accounted for by
vacancies, Of which no report was made
TO the commission, occurring among
those who held their places without eXamina-
ton and CertitiCatiOn, which vacancies were
filed by appointment from the eligible lists. In
the departmental service there occurred be-
tween Jan IS, 1886, and June 30, 1887, among
the employees appointed from the eligible lists
under the civil service rules, Il removals, 36
resignation and . deaths. This does not include
u separations in the grade of special pension
examiners by removal, 5 by resignation and
by death. In the classified customs and
postal service the number of separations among
those who received absolute appointment under
the civil service rules are given for the period
between Jan. l, 1885, and June 80 1897, it ap-
pears that such separations in the customs ser
vice for the time mentioned embraced u remov-
ais deaths and designations, and in the
postal service 256 removals, % deaths and 400
designations
CHANGES OF THE PAST YEAR.
More than year has passed since the expira-
tlol Of the period covered by the report of the
commission. Within the time which has thus
elapsed many important changes have taken
place in the furtherance of reform in our civil
service. The rules and regulations governing
the execution Of the law upon the subject have
been completely remodeled in such manner as
to render the enforcement of the statute more
effective and greatly increase its usefulness.
Among other things the scope of the examina-
tuuS prescribed for those who seek to enter the
classified service has been better defined and
made more practical
The number of names to be certified from the
eligible lists to the appointing officers from
which selection Is made has been reduced from
four t. three
The maxum limitation of the age of persons
seeking entrance 10 the class fed ser, ice to 45
years has been changed, and reasonable pro
vision been made for the transfer Of employees
from one department to another in proper
cases
A plan has also been devised providing for
examination Of applicants for promotion in the
service, which, when in full operation, will
eliminate all chance of favoritism in the ad-
Wncement Of employment by making promo
tQn q reward of merit and faithful discharge
Of duty.
LACK or CLASSIFICATION.
Until within few weeks there was no uni
torm classification of emuloyeS in the different
executive departments of the government. AS
&resuit Of this condition in some of the depart
AentS positions could be obtained without a
civil service examination, because they were
rot within the classification of such department
While in other departments examination and
CTuucaJlOn were necessary to obtain positions
d 'he same grade. Because such positions were
embraced in claSSiticatiOns applicable to those
apartments, and the exception of laborers.
Naiclmen and messengers from examination
SuI classification, gave opportunity, in the alb
eehce or any rule guarding against it, for the
employment free from civil service restrictions
OF persons under these designations who
We're immediately detailed to do clerical work,
anu all this has been obviated by the applica-
1Hng nj aytApfAl "a
lMIorn classification, embracing grades of
employees not heretofore included and by the
9doplon Of rule prohibiting the detailing Of
Iuorels, watchmeu or messengers to clerical
DUTY.
AHARD ROAD TO TRAVEL.
Inc path Of civil service reform has not at all
ulueS been pleasant nor easy. The scope and
purpose of the reform have been much miSappre-
hrhded, and this has not only given rise to
5UonE opposition, but has led TO its invocation
w us friends 70 npass objects not in the least
sglued 10 IT, Thus partsans of the patronage
|ntil nave naturally condemned hose who do
~5l understand its meaning, either miStrust or
.urn disappointed because in its present stage
"S not applied to every real or imaginary i'll -
az use LhOoe charged with its enforcement with
,a'l'uesaness TO civil service reform. Its i'm
4 r'1anee las frequently been underestimated
rw tAe support OF good men has thus been lost
u{ .her lack of interest in its success Beside
"t "tSe difficulties, those responsible for the
,"'", INtrdtlon OF the government in its execu-
1--WE branches have been and are still often
/ NH'i ana lrfltdted by the diSlOyalty to
''lge and inSolence of employees who remain
4 IL pace as benetcarieS and relics and re-
n31It'rN Of the vicious system of appointment
"-" clfll service reform was intended to dis
."'p aud yet these are but incidents of an ad-
4 ,aDy' movement which is radical and far
reaching
The PEOPLE TO BE CONGRATULATED.
me 4ar PEOPLE are, Notwithstanding, TO be con
"A TI''''ated T, upon the progress which has been
Ut ana upon the firm, practical and sens-
'"uiatiun upon which this reform now
W IN continuation Of the Intelligent
"F winch has hitherto characterized the
1 r.iN 'I thc commission. with a continuation
A f f', Increase OF the favor and liberalitY which
NV wttly been evinced by congress in the
P'I rlnpment OF the commission for its
a ..". "i'h The firm, but conservative aud rea-
n I'e tApport of reform by all its friends
,r IN tie disappearance Of the opposition
r must Inevitably follow its better under
d r, 'tAS' The execution Of civil service law can
nj t 'tt To ultimately answer the hopes in which
'l, origin GROVER CLEVELAND.
"A -''"ioe Mansion, mn 1888
n j." lAe senate to-day a message from the
r'iItit ON the subject Of civil service was
AleI, read and referred t. the commit
u 'N civil service and retr nChments.
Al. Mississipprs Election.
st",AaHiNGrON, juno 23.-The senate this