The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-08
CIVIL SERVICES PLANE
Examiner Hoyt Defends the Law and
Thinks the South Lacks Interest.

Examiner Hoyt Defends the Law and
Thinks the South Lacks Interest.
! Civil Service Examiner George B. Hoyt
arrived in the city yesterday, and IS stop
ping at the Pulaski house, where he talked
most entertainingly last night TO MORN
ING News reporter on matters connected
with the civil service.
Mr.. Hoyt is on his southeastern fall route,
aud with the local examining board, OF
which Postmaster Lamar is chairman, Will
conduct an examination of applicants to-
! day and tomorrow in the United States
court room in the custom house building.
The examination will begin at 9 o'clock
| this morning. Mr.. Hoyt says that there
are quite a number of applicants, but lie IS
| not inclined TO think that as much interest,"
/ Is taken in the south in the civil service
examinations as a stepping stone to posi-
tons in the government service as there
should be. He is, Of course, a jealous adj
vocate of fitness as the only intelligent test
for men and women who aspire 20 serve the
government, and he says that while
civil service reform may not be
popular with extreme partisans in the
two great parties it has now become so
well grounded in the minds Of TIE people
that its advocates are not now confined to
the mugwumps. While mistakes may oc-
cur, and the present civil service commits
sioners and future civil service commits
sioners may be removed, the principle will
not be lost sight Of, and other commissioners
will take the places of those who drop out
and who are dropped out, until the system
is perfected. opposition 10 the principles Of
civil service reform growing less and less.
Since the enactment of the civil service
law more than 5000 persons, Mr.. Hoyt
says, have found employment in the govern
ment service, and that alone, he argues.
ought to convince the people that the law
Is wise one, as that number of competent
aud worthy persons has been given employ
inent, in many instances taking the place
OF those unified for the practical discharge
OF duties, many Of whom we're given posi-
lions by one party or the other, not for their
fitness, but to discharge obligations for parti-
san services rendered. Mr.. Hoyt thinks that
the very fact that under the operations Of
the civil service law the patronage Of men
in public life, such as congressman and
Others, has been reduced, it will be in the
future, as it is now, relief to them from
the annoyance Of those who seek appoint
ments to place without the qualifications for
position, as they can be dismissed with the
assumed regret that nothing can be done for
them, as the Office which they seek comes
under the civil service rules.
MIR. Hoyt says that there is false i'm
preston that the politics of the applicant
has anything to do with his passing an
examination and being certified to by the
examiners As a matter Of fact, he says
the local board Of examiners at Washington
now stands four democrats to three repub-
licans, and all of them had to submit TO a
civil service examination themselves. He
says that in examining applicants he does
dot seek to becloud them aud surround them
with an air Of difficulty and perplexity; on
the contrary, he seeks to have them feel
at ease and self-possessed, as many of them
are embarrassed when brought before a
stranger and the various questions submit
ted to them. He says it IS his desire to see
high standard reached, and this can only
be done where candidates are made to feel
at home in the examination room.
Applicants for examination are forwarded
bl nks TO be filled out, giving their name,
residence, postoffice address, and such other
information as will give an idea OF their
health and habits, accompanied by vouchers
from three reputable citizens who know the
applicants. They are then notified at what
time and place examinations are to be
made, 80 that they may appear for examine
ton, where the character of the questions
is determined by that branch of the service
which they elect TO be examined for.
The different departments for which the
civil service law prescribes a civil service
examination MIR. Hoyt grouped as follows:
Department copyists.
Department clerks.
Special pension examiners.
Medical examiners.
Assistant examiners in the patent office.
Separate or special examinations for the
state department.
Typewriting.
Stenographers.
Modern commercial languages, either
French, German, Spanish or Swedish
Law clerks.
Proof readers.
Draughtsmen-Topographical. mechani-
cal and architectural.
Copyists Of drawings
Postoffice inspectors.
Railway mail clerks.
Bookkeepers.
Meteorological clerks.
Skilled helpers, and printers assistants of
the bureau of engraving and printing.
Topographic aides in geological SURVEYS.
MN Hoyt on his present route examined
fifty-eight applicants at Richmond, Va,
forty-nine at Goldsboro, N. c., seventeen
at Charleston, and there will be probably as
many applicants here. He will be at Jack
sonville. Oct. 10; Macon, Oct. IL; Column
bia, 3. c., Oct. Is; and Charlotte, N. c.,
Oct. II.
Those who pass examinations are notified
by mail from Washington, and the exam
liners thea certify the successful ones to the
heads of the departments for that particu-
lar branch of the service in which the ap-
plicant was examined.
Mr.. Hoyt comes from Maine, is a pleasant
and fluent conversationalist, apparently
| under 40 years of age, and is thoroughly
conversant with the duties of the office OF
civil service examiner, and il an applicant
resists his affability and courtesy and fails
TO pass, the failure will be more the fault of
his or her school teacher than of the ex-
aminer.