Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-04
CIVIL SERVICE IN BRIEF.
A SHORT CHAPTER ON EMBARRAss-
hIENTs AND OUTLOOK.
The High Theory and the Low Practice ns
10 Certain Appointments Pointed Out
Better Things Are Aimed At-Rewards

The High Theory and the Low Practice ns
10 Certain Appointments Pointed Out
Better Things Are Aimed At-Rewards
Based Upon Omcial Records.
On March 4, last, the Civil Service Com
mission had but single member. The va
cancies were filled on May Z, and since then
the commissioners have been industriously,
though with an inadequate force, engaged
in executing the law. They were assured
by me that cordial support would be given
them IN the faithful and impartial enforce
ment of the statute and OF the rules and reg
ulations adopted in aid of it,
Heretofore the book of eligibles has been
closed to every one except as certifcations
were made upon the requisition of the ap-
pointing officers. This secrecy was the
source of much suspicion and of many
charges of favoritism in the administration of
the law. What is secret is always suspected;
what is open can be judged. The commits
sion, with the full approval of all its
members, has now opened the list of ellgi-
bles to the public; the eligible lists for the
classified postoffce and custom houses are
now publicly posted in the respective offices,
as are also the certifcations for appoint
ments. The purpose of the civil service
consideration in connection with appoint
by the examinations.
THEORY AGAINST PRACTICE.
The business proceeds upon the theory
that both the examining boards and the ap.
pointment officers are absolutely ignorant as
to the political views and associations of all
persons in the civil service lists. 1t is not
too much to say, however, that some recent
Congressional Investigations have somewhat
shaken public confidence in the impartiality
of the elections for appointment.
The reform of the civil service will make
no safe or satisfactory advance until the
present laws of the administration are we'll
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 irmness
and impartiality. If some of its provisions
have been fraudulently evaded by appoint
ing officers, our resentment should not sug-
gest the repeal of the law, but reform in its
administration. We should have one view
of the matter, and hold to it with sincerity
that it is not affected by the consideration
that the party to which we belong is for the
time in power.
THE RAILWAY MAIL ORDER.
MY pT6UcCCSSOt1 Ou , 1OO0, W al
executive order to take effect March Is.
brought the Railway Mail Service under
the operation of the civil service law. Pro-
vision was made that the order should take
effect sooner in any State where an eligible
list was sooner obtained. On March IL, Mr..
Lyman, then the only member of the oom-
mission, reported to me in writing that it
would not be possible to have the list of
eligibles ready before May /, and requested
that the taking effect of the order be post
poned until that time, which was done, sub
ject to the same provision contained--in the
original order as to States in which an ELI
gible list was sooner obtained.
As result of the revision of the rules. of
the new classification, and OF the inclusion
of the Railway Mail Service, the work of the
commission has been greatly increased, and
the present clerical force is found to be in.
ADEQUATE. l recommend that the additional
clerks asked by the commission be appro-
priated for.
A HIGH RESPONSIBILITY.
The duty of appointment is devolved by
the Constitution, or by law, and the ap-
pointing officers are properly held to high
responsibility in its exercise. The growth
of the country and its consequent increase of
the civil list have magnified this function of
the Executive disproportionately. It can
not be denied, however, that the labor con-
nected with this necessary work is increased,
often to the point of actual distress, by the
sudden and excessive demands that are made
upon an incoming administration for re-
movals and appointments. But, on the
other hand, it is not true that incumbency is
a conclusive argument for continuance in
Office. Impartiality, moderation, fidelity to
public duty, and a good attainment in the
discharge of it must be added before the
argument is complete. When those holding
administrative offices so conduct themselves
as to convince Just political opponents that
no party consideration or bias affects in any
way the discharge Of their public duties, we
can more easily demand fewer removals
FAITHFULNEss AND PROMOTION.
am satisfied that both in and out of the
classified service great benefit would accrue
from the adoption of some system BY which
the officer would receive the distinction and
benefit that in all private employments
comes from exceptional taithfulness and eff
cheney in the performance of duty.
/ have suggested to the heads Of the Ex-
ecutive departments that they consider
whether record might not be kept of all
these elements that are covered by the terms
''faithfulness'' and efficiency" and rating
made, showing the relative merits Of the