The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-08-01
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The President Informs Congress of the
Work Accomplished by the
Commission.
Sixteen Thousand Persons Examined Last
Year, Two Thirds of Whom Were
Competent
President Cleveland sent the following
message to Congress on the 23d of July:


President Cleveland sent the following
message to Congress on the Esd of july
Pursuant TO the secc nd section OF Chapter "a
OF the laws OF 1885, entitled, AN act TO regulate
States, herewith transmit the fourth report
Of the United States Civil Service Commission,
covering that period between the 10th day Of
January, 1886, and the LIST day OF July, 1887.
While this report has special reference TO the
operations of the commissi during the period
above mentioned, 1t contains, with its accom-
panying appendices much valuable information
concerning the inception OF civil service reform
and its growth aud progress which cannot fail 70
be interesting and instructive to all who desire
improvement in administrative methods Dur
ing the time covered by the report, 1852
persons were examined for admission ia
the assihtd civil service Of the Government in
: all its branches, OF whom 10, 746 passed the ex-
animation and 4, 206 failed OF those who passed
the examination 2,977 were applicants for admis-
sion TO the departmental service at Washington
2,547 were examined for admission 10 the Gus
toms service, and ,222 for admission to the post
al service During the same period 547 appoint
menls were made from the eligible lists 70 the
department service, Cal TO the customs service
and 3,254 TO the postal service
Concerning separations from the classified
service the report only informs us Of such
have occurred among employees In the public
service who had boen appointed from eligible
lists under ciyil-service rules When these
rules took effect they did not apply to the per-
cons then in the service, comprising a full COM
picmeQt OF employees, VINO obtained their
positions Independently of the new law.
The commission has no record OF
the separations I'm this numerous class.
report between the number Of appoint
ments made in the respective branches of the
service from the lists OF the commission and
the small number of separations mentioned, is,
TO a great extent accounted for by vacancies
Of which no report was made TO the commits
sion, occurring among those who held their
places without examination and certihcation,
which vacancies were filed by appointment
from the eligible lists.
In the departmental service there occurred
between the 10th day of January, 1885, and the
30th day of June, 1857, among the employees APP
pointed from the eligible lists under civil service
This does not include IA separations in the
grade of special pension examiners, by reno
val, by resignation, and by death.
In the classified customs and postal service
the number of separations among those who
ceived absolute appointments under the civil
service rules are given for the period between
the first day Of january 1885, and the 30th day
OF June, 1887. 1t appears that such separations
in the customs service for the time mentioned.
embraced twenty-one removals. five deaths and
eighteen designations, and Ia the postal service
$50 removals, % deaths and 400 designations
More than year has passed since the expira-
ton Of the period covered by the report Of the
commission. Within the time which has thus
elapsed many important changes Rave taken
place in the furtherance of a reform in our civil
service. The rule and regulations 60, erning the
violations of the law upon the subject
have been completely remodeled in such
a manner to render the
and greatly increase it's usefulness. Among
other things, the scope Of examinations pre-
scribed for those who seek TO enter the CLASH
fed Sc vice has been better defined aud made
more practi nj the number of names TO be
tiff ed from the eligible lis TO the appoin ing
officers from which selection is made has been
reduced from four TO three; the maximum
limitation OF the age OF persons see
ing entrance to the classified sery-
and reagOnablQ prOyigiOn has been made "a
transfer of employees from one department TO
another in proper cases. plan has also been
devised providing for the examination Of apph-
cants for promotion in the service, which, when
in full operation will eliminate all chance OF
favoritism in the advancement Of emp Dyes, by
making promotion reward OF merit and faith
ful discharge Of duty.
Until within a few weeks there was no uni
form classification OF employees in the different
executive departments of the Government As
a result Of this condition, in some OF the depart
ments positions could be obtained without civil
not within the classification of such de-
partment, while in other departments
an examination and certlfcation were
necessary 10 obtain positions OF the same grnde
because such positions were embraced in the
classihcations applicable TO those departments.
The exception of laborers, watchInen and mes
sengers from examination and clase ihcation
gave opportunity, in the absence OF any
rule guarding against II, for the employ
ment. free from civil-ser vice restrictions,
of persons under these designations who
Immediately de tailed TO do clerical work. All
this has been OBJ waited by the application TO all
the departments Of an extended and uniform
classification, embracing grades of employees
not heretofore included, aud by the adoption of
rule prohibiting the de:ail OF laborers watch
men, or messengers 10 clerical duty.
The path of civil-service reform has not at all
times been pleasant Ior easy, the scope and
purpose OF tbs reform having been much mis-
apprehended; and this has not only given rise
TO strong opposition but has led TO its invoca-
ton by its frit nds TO compass objects
not in the least related TO it. Thus
Of he
have naturally condemned it, THOSE who
do rot understand it's meaning either mistrust
it, or, when disappointed, because, in its present
stage il is not applied 10 every real or imaginary
ILL., accuse this Administration, charged with it's
enforcement, with faithlessness TO civil-service
reform. Its importance has frequently been
men has thus been lost by their lack
of interest in its success. Besides all
these difficulties those responsible for the ad-
ministration Of the Government in its executive
branches have been, and still are, often annoyed
by the disloynlty 10 the service and the insoence
Of tmployes who remain in places as the bene-
fciaries and the relics or reminders OF the VIC
ious system Of appointment which civil service
reform was intended 20 displace.
And vet these are but the incidents Of an adj
vance movement which is radical and far-reach-
ing. The people are, Notwithstanding, 70 be
the ans
sensible foundation upon which tits re- orm now
rests.
With a continuance OF the intelligent fidelity
which has hitherto characterized the work Of
the commission, with n continuation and in
crease of the favor and liberality which have
lately been evinced by the Congress in the
proper equipment Of the commission for its
work. with firm but conservative and
reasonable support Of the reform by all it's
friends and with the disappe france Of OPP
position which must inevitably follow its better
understanding, the execution OF tho civil service
law cannot fail TO ultimately answer the hopes
in which il had its origin
GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, July -, 1855.