Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-24

RATHER THAN INFLUENTIAL LETTERS FROM
PoLITIcIANs-THE PosTy As TER CEREALS Or
DER FORMING THE BOARD OF PROMOTIONS
There are a number of vacancies in the cler-
ical force of the Post Office Department which
are to be filled by promotions. A large num-
Der Of clerks both male and female. are natu-
rally anxious to secure a promotion. which
is nearly always attended by an increase in the
pay. They have therefore been actively engaged
in marshahng all the influence they could pos
sibly command in order that when the selec-
tons were made they would stand well in the
eyes OF the promoting power. These enterpris-
ing clerks will be grieyed. not TO say panied,
to learn that all their hustling for influence has
been in vain.
EXAMINATIONS TO BE HELD.
Postmaster General Wanamaker has decided
to inaugurate in the department the system of
| holding examinations for promotion. The
clerks seeking promotion will be required to
appear before q board, and upon the decision
OF the board rather than upon the papers on
chances Of promotion. Influence will hereafter
be at a discount in the Post Office Department
Many OF the clerks are not at oil pleased by the
proposed change. as an examination If not an
event that they look forward to with any
satisfaction. But Mr.. Wanamaker thinks that
by holding examinations merit will have more
influence in securing the reward Of a promo
ton than the letters and personal solicitation
OF gentlemen who are prominent in politics.
MI Wanamaker found upon investigation that
Ill one or two of the departments promotions
were based upon examinations. and he con-
Guided that II the system worked we'll in other
branches of the government service there was
no reason why it would not flourish in the Pest
Office Department.
THE EXPERIMENT TO BE TRIED.
At least he is going to make the experiment.
and in the course of a week or SO the gentle
men and ladies who are anxious to be advanced
IN their official careers Will have opportu-
nifty to appear before board and give such
evidence as they can muster which will estab
llsh their fitness for the honor Of drawing
few hundred dollars additional from the
United States treasury.
STRICTLY COMPETITIVE.
There is a feature about the examinations in
the Post Office Department which will make
them still more interesting. and that is they
will be strictly competitive. Clerks will not be
designated for promotion and then examined,
as is done in one of the departments. But
when vacancy occurs In any grade
in any of the bureaus of the
department all the clerks IN the grade next
below will have right to be examined for
promotion. The head of the bureau can also
designate clerks in lower grades for examina-
ton for promotion at the same time if he
should consider that they ore capable The
examination will not be obligatory, but will be
open to clerks independent of whether they
have influence or not.
THE BOARD OF pRoMorroSa-
Postmaster Geners, WanamsLer todav ;eara5
.ho soI,a,,,;,,.. -. ''N
VIC A'''o"'iis 'feef'
JUNE "a. 1891.
That there be and is hereby established in
the Post Once Department. a board Of promo
tions to consist OF the chief clerk OF the Post
once department, the appointment clerk OF
the fost ofhce department and three clerks OF
the fourth class, one from the Office OF the first
assistant postmaster general, one from the
ONCE OF the second assistant post
master general and one from the
office OF the third assistant postmaster general,
10 whlch board shall be referred all questions
OF promotions IN every clerical grade whatso-
ever The three last mentioned members OF
the board shall be designated oy the three as
sistant Postma5ters general respectively, and
vacancies IN these three places small be hiled In
IKE manner, subject to the approval OF the
POSTMASTER General.
In case OF vacancy occurring in any one OF
the grades OF CLERKS the said board shall deter
mine and report to the Postmaster General the
name OF the person who, according to the
STANDARD TO be hereafter prescribed, Is best
ht'ed IN 'heir Judgment 70 MI the SAID vacancy
py promotion, ana such promotion shall be
mace irrespective OF the influence OF friends.
me uecision u the SAID ooatu shaii pe paseo