Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-04
CIVIL SERVICE.
The President Approves of
the Revised Rules.
SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES.
Politics Not to Interfere With the
Appointment of Deserv-
ing Candidate.


ing Candidate.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
WASHINGTON, February 3.-The
President has approved and promul-
gated revision of the civil service
rules which makes several important
changes in the system of appoint
ments upon the test of fitness applied
in the departments at Washington
and in the classified customs Offices
and postofices. The commission has
also revised the civil service regula.
tions to conform to the new rules.
These revisions have been under con-
sideration by the commission during
a great part of the year and have
received careful consideration by Pres
ident Cleveland.
The new rules are divided into four
parts-general, departmental, customs
and postal rules. By the general rules
it is made an offense punishable by
dismissal in any of the Offices OF the
executive or civil service to interfere
in elections, to dismiss or cause to be
dismissed any person in said service
for refusing to be coerced in his politi-
cal action or to contribute money for,
or to render political service. 1t es-
pecially provides for the dismissal OF
any officer or employe violating sec
tions IL, IL, 13 and ID, prohibiting the
solicitation or enforcement of any
political assessment or contribution.
1t also provides that no question in
any examination be 30 framed as to
elicit the political or religious opinions
of competitors for the place, and for
the dismissal of any appointing or
nominating officer inquiriny into the
politics or religion Of any person passing
the examination or discriminating in
favor of or against such person.
BY THE GENERAL RULES
Several non-competitive examina-
tions are provided for, and COM
pulsory examination for promotion
directed. The President amended the
clause directing compulsory examina-
tions so as to exempt persons honor
ably discharged from the military
AMI naval services, and widows and
orphans of these. The authorities
given the appointing or nomination
of officers to whom the Commissioners
may send names eligible for certain
place, are TO declare in writing the
specific objections to any or all such
persons performing the duties of the
vacant place. 1t also provides for a
) certification for the appointment in
preference to others of solii Ars and
sailors honorably discharged because
of sickness or wounds, and of widows
or orphans OF deceased soldiers or
sailors, and in the reduction OF force
in any classified branch these are to
be retained in preference to others.
THE DEPARTMENTAL RULES
Are eleven in number, and au horize
the classification of the various COM
missions and independent bureaus and
departments at Washington, and pre-
scribe the examination for admission
to this branch of the service. The
following officers may be appointed
without examination: One private
secretary or one confidential clerk OF
each classified department, and one
each assistant secretary thereof, also
each head of bureau appointed
by the President direct, custodi-
ans of money, for whose fidelity
another officer is under Off
cial bond, disbursing officers who give
bond, persons employed exclusively
in the secret service OF the govern
ment, chief clerks and chiefs OF divi-
sions. The maximum age limitation
is As years and the minimum limita
ton is raised from Is to 20 years.
Soldiers and sailors who have claim
OF preference in civil appointments
are let in at 65 per cent, but in all
other cases the minimum grade Of
eligibility is raised from 65 to 70 per
cent. The number of names to be
certified an appointing officer from
which to select for an appointment
has been reduced from to 8.
THE CUSTOMS RULES,
Eight in number, provide that in ad-
dition to competitive and non-com-
petitive examinations the following
officers may be appointed without ex-
animation: Deputy collectors who do
not also act as inspectors, examiners
or clerks. cashiers and auditors or col
lectors, chief acting disbursing officer,
deputy mail officer, deputy secretary,
one private secretary or one confiden-
tial clerk for each nominating officer
The maximum age limit in most
cases is abrogated and the minimum
limit raised. Only three names are
to be certified to the appointing officer.
THE POSTAL RULES.
Eight in number, in addition to spec
ial aid non-competltive examina
tions, provide for The examinations Of
clerks, carriers and messengers. The
examination of the latter is to be used
also for the positions of piler,
stamper, junior clerk and other
places, the duties of which are chiefly
manual. Only three names are to be
certified to as the postmaster and the
following officers may be appointed
without examination: Assis-
tant postmaster, private sec
retary or confidential clerk, post
master, cashier and assistant cashier,
superintendents, designated as such
by the postoffice department, and
custodians of money, stamps, stamped
envelopes or postal cards designated
as such by the postoffice department,
for whose fidelity the postmaster is
under official bond. The rules and
regulations to 60 into effect on March
, LIST, 1888, were prepared by commits
sioner Oberty.