The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-31
1IVIL SERVICE PLACES.
ALI, APPLICANTS MUST STAND AN
EXAMINATION.

11e7N CSN
WASHINGTON, March 30.-The President
bas sent the following letter to the Civil
|kervice Commission recommending an ex-
PENSION of the limits of the classified service:
Eo the United States Civil Service Commission:
4 GFNTIEMEN-I deSre to make suggestion re-
Harding subdivision of general rule 3 of the
mended civil service rules promulgated Feb. 2,
9ss
IL provides for the promotion of an employe
a department who is below or outside of the
klassihed service to place within said classified
ervice in the same department upon the request
the appointing officer upon recommendation
the commission and the approval of the Presi-
ent after a non-competitive examination in
ase such person has served continuous for two
ears in the place from whichit is proposed to
romote him, and because of his faithfulness
nd efficiency in the position occupied by him,
pd because of his qualifications for the place to
hich the appointing officer desires his promo
GREAT CAUTION NECESSARY.
1t has occurred to me that this provision must
executed with caution to avoid application
it to cases not intended and undue relaxation
the general purposes and restrictions OF the
Fl service law. Non-competitive examinations
an exception to the plan of the act, and
es permitting same should be strictly con
Tued. The cases arising under the
Fception above recited should be
wv few and when presented they
Suld be supported by facts which will develop
basis and reason of the application of the
sDointing officer and which will commend
tim to the judgment of the commission and
b President. The sole purpose of the provi
Sn is to benefit the public service, and it should
mer be permitted to operate as an evasion of
h main feature of the law, which is competi-
tin examination.
ASKED TO FORMULATE PLAN.
As those cases will first be presented to the
cmmission for recommendation, have to re-
OeSt that you will formulate plan by which
thar merits can be tested. This will naturally
NOlve statement of all the facts deemed
necessary for the determination of such appli-
cgion including the kind of work which has
ten done by the person proposed for promo
lion, and the consideration upon which the allie
cations of ''faithfulness," efficiency" and the
qualifications" mentioned in the rule, are
pedicated.
STILL ANOTHER SUBJECT.
What has already been written naturally
suggests another very important subject to
which invite your attention. The desirability
bt the rule which / have commented upon
would be nearly, if not entirely, removed. and
fher difficulties which now EN-
arass the execution of the civil
$e7ice law would be obviated if
E here was better and more uniform classifica-
@ the classifications hastily made, ap
Faently with but little care and regard for
+ nf0rmity, and promulgated after the last
RESIDENTIAL election and prior to the installa-
ion of the present administration, should not
pave been permitted to continue to this time.
DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS.
appears that in the War Department the
#mployes were divided on Nov. 10, 1884, into
5aght classes and sub-ciasSeS, empbracing those
aiming annual salaries from 5000 to 81, 900. The
Navy Department was classified Nov % 1884,
Ind it's employees were divided into seven
asses and sub-classes, embracing those who
eeived annual alaries from S720 to $500.
In the Interior Department the classification
Tss made on Dec. 6, 1884 1t consists of eight
asses and sub-claSses and embraces employees
feceiving annual salaries of from S720 to $1,000.
On Jan :. 1885, the classification of the em-
Aoyes in the Treasury Department was made,
FonSsting of six classes and classes, includ-
iN0.
In the Post Office Department the employees
were classified ON Feb. 8, 1885,, into nine classes
bm sub classes, embracing persons earning
b1nual salaries of from S720 to $4,000
ON NEW PLAN.
On Dec. -. 1884. the Bureau of Agriculture
VaS classified in manner different from all the
bher departments and presenting features Pc
[lLar to itself.
1t seems that the only classification in the De-
fartment Of State and Department of Justice is
hat provided for by section 1853 of the Revised
Statutes, which directs that the
nppioyes, in the several departments shall
o more definite classification has been made
these departments. ! wish the commission
Fould revise the classiflcations and submit to
le d pan Whlcn Will as 1ar as possible make
hem uniform, and which will especially
emedy the present condition, which
ermltS persons to enter grade in the service
n one department without any examination
'hch in another department can only be en-
req after passing such examination. This l
hnk, should be done by extending the limits
II the classified service rather than by contract
lg them. GROVER CLEVELAND.
IN ACCORD WITH THE PRESIDENT.
In response to an inquiry as to the
views and proposed action of the commits
non Upon the suggestions, one of the COM
nlssloners said to-day that the views OF the
commission are in full accord with those of
he President in the matter referred TO in his
etter, and that the commission would advise
uniform classification, which shall in
dude and bring within the jurisdiction of
ne commission every person in the depart
mental service of the government, except
fucn as are appointed by the President,
with the advice and consent of the Senate,
ana persons employed merely as laborers
hnd workmen.
A FEW EXCEPTIONS.
Under the new rules however, there will
e excepted from the examination which
DIS classification implies, certain private
ecretarles, custodians of money, disburs-
nv officers, secret service employees, chief
Jerks and chiefs of division. II is probable
4at IN each Of the departments there may
So be found very few other places which
1e commissioners believe should be except
Irom the rule requiring competitive
examination, such, perhaps, as require
ecullar technical knowledge. These ex-
eptlons will be made only after thorough
Id critical investigation by the heads of
ne several departments as TO the particular
eeds Of each. This comprehensive classifi-
atlon, the commission believe, will remove
my liability to abuse Of the rules mentioned
fSn the President permitting appointing
Nhcers under certain circumstances to pro-
ole persons in the uncassifled service to
classified service without competitive
summation, and it will also prevent abuses
lhe law that occur whenever a gross sum
a appropriated TO be used III the employ
ent Oh persons TO do particular clerical
ALL MUST BE EXAMINED.
mnen such an appropriation is made the
I oiu IS usually set up that appointments
,ller II may be made without examina-
az and that all such appointments are to
a0es below the classified service. When
'3nhcation such as has been suggested by
resident, and is recommended by the
illhSsion in its forthcoming report has
vI made, such claim, it is said, cannot be
ue lor the reason that there will be no
@ces below the classified service.
senate Amendments Rejected.
| HASHNGToN, March 30-In the House
lay' on motion of Mr.. McCreary, Of
euVlcky, the Senate amendments were
y ~ 'fblrred In to the House bill authorizing