New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-07
THE CIVIL SERVICE,
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
ExrxNs1oN OF THE classified sERvICE-REc
COMBINATIONS OF FURTHER REFORMS.

ExTYNsIoN OF THE classified SERVICE-REC-
COMBINATIONS OF FURTHER REFORMS.
Washington, Dec. 6-The Civil Service Commission
In ifs annual report to the President states that the
classified civil service contains $4,000 OF the Gov
ernment EMPLOYEES From July /, 1890, TO june 30,
1901 5206 applicants examined for the de-
partmental service at Washington Of whom 1881 passed
and 800 failed to pass. For the customs service
1873 were examined 902 passed and 5S7 failed Tor
the postal service, 1888 wero examined o'oao
passed and 269s failed TO pass; for Se
railway mail service 3706 were examined
2.5ss passed and 1,118 failed to pass. The whole
number examined for the four branches of the classified
service was 1900, of whom 1851 passed and or
failed to pass. Compared with the previous year ths
shows decrease OF 1865 in the whole NUMBER OK
amined a decrease of 100 in the whole number who
passed and a decrease Of 2,775 in the whole number
who failed to pass. The whole number appointed IN
the year covered by this report is as follows: Dc
partmsntal service 1882 customs service, 800 postal
service, 1851: railway mail service, l,ooZ' Ve'ai'
$685. m increase Of 236 over the previous year.
The report calls attention 10 the extension OF the
classified service TO include portion Of the Indian
service and says that this extension is especially in
portant as for the first time applying the principle Oh
non partisan appointments TO the Indian service.
There have also been two three highly desirable
alterations OF the rules during the year. one OF the
most important of these IS that allowing the establish
nent of competitive examinations for promotion within
The classified service. They regard this change Of rule
as important it aims to eradicate the lingering
remnants of the patronage theory within the classified
service.
Another important alteration of the rules was the
abolition Of The provision allowing the promotion OF
p=sons in o non-classifed service after noncompet-
tive examination Every backdoor entrance T. the
classified service should be shut, and most emphacay
this system of promotions from TIE nonclasSifed ser
vice was such a back-door.
Appointments to the classified non-excepted force,
save by competitive examinations, should be confined
TO the fewest possible There should be no trans
fers allowed on nOn-competitive examination from
places that were filed originally by noncompehtVe
examination without examination at all At present
most Of the highest places are filled without eXamina
ton, or by non-competltve examination. A curious
result of this is that in the lower grades OF the
classified service often decline 70 accept promotion TO
these higher places, because if there is change Of
Administration they run great risks OF being turned
out In The departmental service at Washington the
Commission expess thf mselves entirely satisfied
with the way in which the CvilService law has been
enforced, and that they safe in saying that the
question OF politics las been practically eliminated.
No State says the report, now has materially less
than its quota Of appOn fnents. During the last year
the Southern and the Pacific Coast states have been
brought 10 practical level In this respect with the
Northern and Eastern States The great bulk of the
white men appointed the Southern, and especially
the present Administration This was the case in such
states as Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama Georgia ard
South Carolina whose quotas filled just prior to
the making Of the last annual report OF the Commission
1t Is likewise the case in filing the quotas OF other
States, as Texas and Arkansas, which have only
now been brought up level with the rest.
Another excellent feature OF the examinations in the
Southern states has been the elimination, not only Of
the questions of politics and religion but Of the ques
ton OF fair proportion OF the men appointed
from these States las been ool0red-in many cases
graduates OF the colleges higher institutions OF learn
ing. much larger proportion OF co ored people re-
ceve appointments under the CIVIL service law than
under the old patronage system.
In the local Offices, the report says, the results OF
the law have been much less satisfactory. In some
OF the postoces custom houses the law has been
as well observed and with rs good effects as In the
Departmental service at Washington. OF Others as
much cannot be said Yet IL is fact that the show
ing Is on the whole, better than the showing made by
the predecessors Of the incumbents Of these Offices
This we attribute almost entirely to the system Of
supervision of the local offices which the Commission
has been able during the last two years to maintain
with more th0roughness than was befoT possible. and
10 the vigorous efforts that have been made 10 show
certain Of these local officers WHO were apparently
inclined to ignore to evade the law, that tue Com
mission would 90 it, best 10 see mat they were not
permitted 50 10 act with impnnity $500. a.. .u.-,. :,
The Commission says that al present us WORK Is
much hampered by the fact that the local boards are
not properly under / ) control, ana assert lnat lhe
law sonid be so amended 10 allow the appointment
a men not in Government employ on these boards.
They also contend rhat pay should be allowed 10 the
members OF these boards. An increase of appopria-
tons for travelling expenses and for clerical he III
Washington is also asked. 1t Is not necessary 10
Increase by dollar the appropriations In order TO turn
the Central Beard OF Examiners directly over 10 the
control OF the Commission. IL can be done by Simply
striking them OF from the salary lsts Vi the Depart
nent % which they belong and putting them on the
list OF the Commission. The Central Board should %
increased by at least additional clerks which would
Involve an increased appropriation OF about $40 OoO
The Commission earnestly recommends that the
classified service extended TO all the customs and
Internal districts In which there twenty
five employees; TO She clerks and writers in the navy
yerds 10 the employees Of the District OF Columbia;
TO the minis and subtreasuries and 10 all free de,
livery pOstoces aud that Congress be asked 10 grant
sufficient increase Of Appropriation to meet the In
creased expense that would result from such exten
sion.
Additional legislation should be had TO take all the
laorers Of politics. There Is also urgent need for
legislation that will place the fourthcaes postmasters
end the remaining Offices Of the Government out Of
partisan politics.
praoieaf and absolutely relevant TO the dni 10 DO
performed. In spite Of repeated challencc .ja the
Commission IT, is noteworthy that not sugIe one of
the ale gsd abrd questions used in the examinations