Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-12-14
The Civil Service Commission.

commission had but a single member. The
vacancies were filed on the 9Th day of May
and since then the commissioners have
been industriously, though with an mad
equate force, engaged in executing the law.
They were assured by me that a cordial
support would be given them in the faith
full and impartial enforcement Of the stat
ute and of rules and regulations adopted in
aid Of IL. Heretofore the book of eEgibles
has been closed to everyone except as GER
tiheations were made upon the requisition
of the appointing officers. This secrecy was
the source Of much suspicion and Of many
charges of fayoritism. In the admiDistra-
tion of law, what is secret is always sus-
pected 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 eligible lists
for classification for postofhces and custom
houses are now publicly posted in the re
spective Offices as are also the certihca-
tons for appointments The pur-
pose of civil service law was
absolutely to exclude any other con-
consideration in connection with the APP
pointments under il than that of merit.
As tested by the examinations the business
proceeds upon the theory that both the ex-
aiming boards and the appointing officers
are absolutely ignorant as TO the political
views aud associations of oil persons on
the civil service lists. IL is not too much
TO say, however, that some recent congress
sional Investigations have somewhat shaken
public confidence in the impartiality OF the
selections for appointment.
The reform of the civil service will make
no safe or satisfactory advance until the
present law and its administration are well
established in the confidence Of the people.
Ii will be my pleasure, as IL is my duty, 10
see that the law is executed with hrmness
and IN partiaiity. Ii some of its provisions
have been frauduiently evaded by appoint
ing officers, oar res ,ntm ont sholld not sug-
gest the repeal of the law, but reform in
its administration We should have one
view of the matter and hold il with a sin
cerity that is not affected by the considera
ton that the party TO which we belong is
for the time in power.
Ny predecessor on the 9th day OF Janu-
airy, 1873, by an ex scutive order TO take
effect March IS, brought the railway ser
vice under the operation o. the civil SER
vice law. Provision was made that the
order 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, re-
ported to me in writing that IL would not
be possible TO nave the list of eligibles
ready before Nav /, and requested that
the taking effect of the order be postponed
until that time, which was done. subject TO
some provision contained in the original
order as TO states in which an eligible list
was sooner obtained.
As a result OF the revision of the rules Of
the new classification and of the inclusion
of tn railway mail service the work of the
commission has been greatly increased and
the present clerk force is found TO be inai-
eouate. | recommend that the additional
| clerks asked by the commissioners be ap-
propriated for. The duty of appointment
is devolved by the constitution, or by the
law, and the appointing officers are held to "a
high responsibility as TO its exercise. The
growth OF the country and the consequent
Increase of the civil list nave magnified
this function of the executive dispropor-
tionally. IL cannot be denied. however,
that the labor connected with this neces-
sary work is increased often 10 the point of
actual distress by the sudden and excessive
demands that are made upon an incom-
ing administration for removal and
hand &c is not true that incumb ency
Il "A conclusive for a continuance
in Office. Impartiality, moderation, fidelity
70 public duty, and a good attainment in
the discharge of IL must be added before
the argume is complete and when those
holding administration Offices so conduct
themselves as TO convince just political OPP
ponents that no party consideration OF bias
affects in any way the discharge of their
public duties, we can more easily stay the
demands for removals.
have also suggested to the postmaster
general that he adopt some plan BY which
he can upon the basis of the reports TO the
department and of the frequent inns pee
tions indicate the relative merit Of post
masters of each class, and they will be ap
propriately indicated in the official reg,
ister and report of the department. Tina,
"a great stimulus would thus be given "a
the whole service | do not doubt and sucl
a record would be the best defense
against removals from Office.
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
The interest of the general government
In the education of the people found ar
early expression, not only I, the thoughtful
and sometimes warning utterances of ouI
ablest statesmen but in liberal appropria
tons from common resources for the sup
port of education in the new states. NJ
one will deny that &c is of the gravest M
tional concern that those who hold the ulti
mate control Of all public affairs should
nave the necessary intelligence to di
rect and determine them. Nationa
aid to education las heretofore tai
the form of land grants and that form OF
the constitutional power of congress u
promote tae education of the people il no
seriously questioned. l do not think IL car
be successfully questioned when the form
Is changed to that If a direct grant o.
money from the pubic treasury. Sucn alC
should be, as IL always has been, suggested
by some exceptional conditions. The sudder
emancipation of the slaves, the bestowal OF
the suff rage which soon followed, and tk.
impairment of the ability of the state,
where these new citizens were chiefly
found to be adequately provided with edu
l~Garional facilities presented not only ex
loepeionnl buf an unexanpled o0ndftton
Though the situation has been much ameli.
GRATED, there is no doubt, the ability and
interestu of the states have happily in
creased; but N great work remains TO b.
dome, and l think the general governmen,
should lend its aid As u suggestion of
national grant in aid Of education grows
chiefly out Of conditions aud needi
of the em~aucipAted slave and his decend
ants the relief should as far as possible,
while H~ecessarily, proceeding upon some
general laws, be applied 70 the need thai
suggested IL. 1t Is essential IL much good
Is to be accomplished that the sympathy
and active interest Of the people of the
states should be enlisted and that thu
methods adopted should bs such as te
stimulate and not to supplant local taxa
ton for school purposes as one congress
cannot bad a succeeding one In snch tease
and effort must In some degree be expert
mental. recommend that any ap.
preparation for the purpose bs
SO limited in annual amount
and a. To the line over which it Is
to extend az will. on the one hand give
local school authorities opportunity to
make the best use Of the first years allow
80 "a ~. 81. ~sk.- I.If-~~ tk~.~ &c.,