New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-12-11
CIVIL SERVICE.
Reform in the Administration Rather
Than Repeal of the Law.

Reform in the Administration Rather
Than Repeal of the Law.
On the 4th of March last the civil service
commission had but a single member The va
cancies were filled on the 18th day of May
and since then the commissioners have been in
dustriously, though with inadequate force, en-
gagged In executing the law They were assured
by me that q cordial support would be given
them in the faithful and impartial enforcement
OF the statute, and of rules and regulations
adopted in and of it. Heretofore the book
OF eligibles has been closed to every one, except
as Qualifications were made upon the requisition
of the appointing officers. This secrecy was the
source of much suspicion and OF many. charges
OF favoritism in the administration. Of law.
What is secret is always suspected and what is
open can be judged. The commission, with the
the list of eligbles to the public. The eligibles
for classified postofficeS and customs are
now publicly posted in the respective Offices as
are also the Qualifications for ap
civil service law was absolutely
to exclude another consideration in connection
with appointments under it than that OF merit
proceeds upon the theory that both the exam
lining board and the appointing officers, are abso-
lutey ignorant as to the political views and as
socates of all persons on the civil service lists.
1t is not much to say, however, that
some recent congressional investiga-
UlOuS nave somewhat shaken, puDIC
confidence in the impartiality OF the selections
for appointments The reform of the civil ser
vice will make no safe or satisfactory advance
until the present law and its equal administra-
ton are we'll established in the confidence of the
people. It will be my pleasure as it is my duty
to see that the law is executed
WITH FIRMNEss AND IMPARTIAIITY
If some of it's provisions have been fraudulently
evaded by appointing officers, our resentment
should not suggest the repeal of the
law,, but reform in it's administration
We should have one view OF the matter, and hold
it with a sincerity that is not affected by. the
consideration that the party to which we belong
is for the time in power. My predecessor on the
4 a day OF January. 1889. by an executive Or
mail service under the operation of the civil
service law. Provision was made that the or
der should take effect sooner in any state where
an eligible list was sooner obtained. On the
18th day OF March Mr.. Lyman, then the only
member of the commission, reported to me in
writing w. that it would not be possible to have
quested that the taking effect of the order be
postponed until that time which was done
subject to the same provision contained in the
original order as to states in which an eligible
list was obtained AS a result ofthe revision Of
the rules OF the new classification and of the in
clusion OF the railway mail service the work of
the commissioner has been greatlyincreased and
the present cercle force is found to be inadequate
recommend that the additional clerks asked
by the commission be appropriated for. The
duty OF appointment is deyolved by the consti-
tuition or by the law, and the appointing officers
are properly held to a high responsibility in it's
exercise. The growth of the country and the
consequent
INCREASE OF THE CIVIL LIST
have magnifed this function of the executive dis
proportionately: 1t cannot be de denied how
ever, that the labor connected with this neces-
sary work is increased often to the
point OF actual distress by the sudden
and excessive demands that are made upon an
pointments But on the other hand it is not
true that incumbency is conclusive argument
for a continuance in office. Impartality, nod-
n Ss q aa ade
before the argument is complete. When those
holding administrative Offices SO conduct
as that c9 no nstJ just e
ton or bias efforts in any way the
discharge OF their public duties, we can more
easily stay the demands for removals.
am satisfied that both IN and out of elassi-
fed service great benefit would accru from the
adoption OF some system, by which the officer
in all private employments comes from excep-
tional faithfulness and efficiency in the perform
ance OF duty. / have suggested to the heads of
the s5cue that they consider
each bureau of all the clements that
are covered by the terms ..faithfulness,''
relative merits Of the clerks Of each class, this
rating to be regarded as a test of merit in MAX
ing promotions. have also suggested to the
postmaster h1 s general that he adopt some
OF the reports to the department.,
and OF frequent inspections, indicate the relar
TIVE ave merit OF postmasters OF each class. They
register and report of the department. That
great stimulus would thus be given to the above
service, do not doubt, and such record would
De the DeSb defense against removals nom Office
BENJAMIN II ARRIsoN.
Executive Mansion. Washington, u G. Dec, 8