The great West., 1889-12-06
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 single member. The va
canaies were filled on the 7th 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 cordial support would be given
them in the faithful and impartial enforcement
Of the statute and of rules and regulations
adopted III and of it. Heretofore the book
OF egibles has been closed to every one, except
as Qualifications were made upon the reQnisition
Of the appointing officers This secrecy was the
source of much suspicion and of many charges
OF fanoritism in the administration OF law.
Waaa is secret is always suspected and what is
open can be judged The commission, with the
full approval Of its members, has now opened
the list of eligibles to the public. The eligibles
for classified postoftices and customs are
are also the certifications for ap-
pointments The purpose OF the
civa service law was absolutely
with appointments under it than that of merit
as tested by the examinations. The business
proceeds upon the theory that both the exam
lutely ignorant as to the political views and
socates Of all persons OH the civil service lists
1t IS not much to say, however, that
tions have somewhat shaken public
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 well established in the confidence Of the
people. 1t will be my pleasure, as it is my duty,
to see that the law is executed
WITH FrRMNEss AND 1MPARrIALTrY.
If some of it's provisions have been fraudulently
evaded by appointing officers, our resentment
shsuld not suggest the he. repeal Of the
We should have one view Of the matter, and hold
it with a sincerity that is not affected by the
cc.sideration that the party to which we belong
4th day of January. 1889. by an executive Or
deg to take effect March Is, brought the railway
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
1lth day Of March Mr.. Lyman, then the only
member OF the commission. reported to me i'll
writing that it would not be possible to have
the list of eligibles ready before May l, and
Yuested 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 i'll which an eligible
list was obtained. AS a result of the 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 greatly increased and
the present clerce force is found to be Inadequate
l recommend that the additional clerks asked
by the commission be appropriated for. The
duty of appointment is devolved by the const-
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 THE CIVIL. LIST
have magnified this function OF the ertive dis
proportonately. 1t cannot be de dened, how
ever, that the labor connected with this neces-
Ey4 sary work is increased mere often to the
and excessive demands that are made upon an
incoming administration for removals and ap-
pointments. But on the other hand it is not
true that incumbency is conclusive argument
for slcontinuance in Office. Impartiality mod
GRAFTON. fidelity to public duty and a good at
tainment i'll the discharge of it must be added
holding administrative offices SO conduct
themselves as to convince just polit-
:es! opponents S;aa that that no party consfdera
discharge OF their public duties, we can more
aasily stay the demands for removals
/ l am satisfied that both in and out OF classi-
| adoption OF some system by which the officer
would receive the distinction and benefit that
in all private employments comes from excep-
tional faithfulness and efficiency in the perform.
| ance of duty. I have suggested to the heads of
the executive departments that they consider
whether a record might not be kept IN
sasn by the te.s ans
and efficiency" and q eating made showing the
relative raerits of the clerks Of each class, this
ing % promotions. On have a. also also s. suggested to the
postmaster general that he adopt some
plan by which be can upon dena the basis
and OF frequent Inspections, indicate the rela.,
tive merit Of postmasters of each class. They
viii be appropriately indicated in the official
great stimulus would thus be given to the above
| service do not doubt, and such a record would
be the best defense against removals from office.
| BENJAMIN H HARRISON.
Esssssivs ssssi Mansion Washington D, c. Dec B.