Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-12
REFORM WHICH NEEDS REFORM.
Wherein, Mr.. Flynn Thinks, Present
Civil Service Methods are Defective.

To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
The letter of Mr.. Edgerton has caused the
people to think and talk about the civil service.
Thus far it has done good. I doubt that the
letter contains sufficient truth to remove it en-
tirely from the kind manufactured" I am
said to have paid s25 for the questions and to
have given them in the handwriting of Mr..
Campbell to Miss Blank. These statements are
false. While am entirely favorable to civil
service 1 am very much opposed to that
secrecy, silence and darkness with which the
commissioners wish to be surrounded.
This very charge Of Mr.. Edgerton has
weight only because Of the secret
methods. Mr.. Lyman says they were
questions that had been used and were obso-
lete. Then why maintain any secrecy about
questions that have been used? Why use ques-
tions a second time? This is the only examina-
ton IN which have known secrecy to be MAIN
tanned about questions already used that they
may be reused At the time Of the examina-
ton am told that the examiners will search
about the desks for the smallest bits OF paper,
fearing that questions will be copied and taken
away. The contestants allowed to see his own
written examination, but he is not allowed to
copy word or a figure. Several times persons
have complained to me about their marks, and,
unless their memory failed, the gentlemen OF
the commission marked the papers incorrectly.
A difficulty of this kind could be avoided by
allowing the person examined to take a copy OF
his papers after they have been marked. I be-
lleve that one out of three Of the objections
against the commission would not be advanced
if they had more business-like and American
Ike publicity about questions already used and
about the examination papers Of the contest
ants. would amend the law so that / would
render impossible to be made ninety-nine OBJ
jections out of every hundred that are made.
" atat nna NM tive for tha
adjustment of the system the desire of the
government to place premium on education
as supplemental TO the immense sums
OF money expended on public education.
In this country money is given to
education; but no encouragement is given to
the student. Excepting personal pleasure,
what is person to gain from advanced studies?
Instead of establishing college, let some man
leave his money that the interest may be given
In prizes. In the meantime, let the Govern
ment announce its intention to hold the public
offices as some incentive to young America to
attend to his studies with more diligence. The
names of all persons who have passed the ex-
animation with their percentages should be
published Frequently the objection is heard
that a person unable to pass an exami-
nation in the first rudiments has re-
ceived an appointment a promotion.
The publication of the percentages would dis
prove this statement. newspaper or other
great nOtoriety of any particular case should
De considered Sufhclent reason to have the
written examination reasonably subject to the
inspection of any reputable citizen. The
names OF the four persons sent to depart
ment should be published in some well-estab-
lished local newspaper. SO far as / can learn
all the abuses take place after the examination.
III l have been correctly informed, men of
political influence make positive promises to
secure positions for individuals Immediately
after passing the examination, while hundreds
even from the same state and with better per-
centages are ignored. This is wrong
and 1t would not be were il not for
the secrecy. l am told that when
a department receives names, the names are
submitted for acceptance or rejection to po-
litical representatives Of the same section Of
the country. This is where the civil service is
a failure. II the four names were published
would not a department be slow to return them
without a sufficient reason? As the civil SER
vice now works every successful contestant is
at the mercy of the powers. If the examina-
ton papers and the appointment papers were
subject to inspection, if the names
with their percentages were published, il the
four names sent to a department were pub
lished, every contestant could look up his own
case. 8. W. FLYNN.