Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-27
metic. history. spelling and geography

metic. history. spelling and geography they would have made better averages.s
 The examinations arc not generally very difficult. Once in q while they seem absurd, as for instance, recently, when questions upon pure mathematics and astronomy were put to candidates for place in the office of the Nautical AL manae, which paid but S750 year. man who could successfully answer all the alleged requirements of that exam. inatton ought to have no difficulty in se- curing professorship in any we'll regu- lated college.
 After the examinations are over the papers are taken and reviewed by the board of examiners, which consists of a representative of each department. Tho papers are numbered and that Is the only designation given them, so that 1t Is i'm possible for a reviewer to know to whom the papers which fall to him belong. This Is to secure absolute impartiality in their consideration, and not until the general average Is reached and the papers arc returned to the chief clerk of tho commission Is a reference made to the name which corresponds on his list | to the number.
 In the sworn application of one who desires to be examined by the civil ser | vice commission arc questions inquiring 1.-the applicant has ever before been in the government service, and if so for what purpose he was removed, If he did not voluntarily resign
 | An incident occurred the other day which shows that there may be some trouble over this class of questions. Heretofore it has been claimed that tho commissioners were absolutely ignorant of the political proclivities of tho candi- dates and they have kept no papers on file indicating to which political party an written informing them that he was u good and Jealous party man they have returned him the letter. as also any | other letters he may have forwarded cer- tifying to his partisanship.
 | Now, however, they are puzzled to know what to do, ae the incidents al luded to will prove. A man, aceompa- nied by an influential friend. called at tho office of tho commission and pre- sented his application for examination. The chief examiner, in looking it over | discovered that in answer to the Ques- tons why he was removed from the gov ernment service he had stated ''for po- litical reasons"
 He desired the applicant to change hts answer, for he said that 1t plainly indi- cated his politics.
 "So am" said tho applicant. "and have got to mako that statement if am to swear to the truth of; my answers. The case Is just this went home to vote, and was followed back here by two men from my county, who went to tho head of tho department in which l gone home, and voted tho opposing ticket; that had induced others to vote the same way, and that I was upduly ac- tive politically. Consequently was at once removed as an offensive partisan. was told that there was n6 .charge against my ability or efficiency as a tlerk, but that wasan offensive partisan and must go. Of course I could not explain all this upon my application and I put sons.' l can't say anything else and make oath to the correctness of my Statement"
 Tho examiner still demurred and the matter has not yet been determined. Perhaps MT. Roosevelt may find some way to crack this nut. It Is likely that many other papers will come in with similar answers.
 No doubt the American international conference hero which is to be held In October will be q success So far as full representation of the different countries Is concerned. Already tho following gov | erumeutS nave laheu steps III that ulrec- ton, and most of them have officially informed the state department of theil acceptance of the invitation: Mexico Guatemala, Salvador Honduras, Mica ragua,- Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador Peru, Bolivia, Chilli, Argentine Republic Uruguay and Venezuela. It is expected that Mexico will be represented by sev ersl delegates; the Argentine Republic by three delegates, Chilli by two delegates | .3NIa other countries named by one delegate each. It Is hardly probable that tho re- public of Hayti will be represented. The conference or congress will be composed of some forty delegates, ten of whom will represent tho United States Or matters which are voted upon each coun ~ deg ates iron >SSM the United State. l N/LI~s|Sy3 arc John B. Hen