Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-14
THE BOARD ABOLISHED
No More Examinations for Promotion in
the Interior Department.
Secretary Smith Goes Back to Old Methods
in Advancing Clerks-The Old Order
and How 1t Worked.

and How 1t Worked.
There was buzz Of excitement today among
the thousand and more clerks of the Interior
Department and Its bureaus when it became
known that Secretary Hoke Smith has abolished
the board Of promotions in the department and
inaugurated . new system Of promoting clerks
from one grade to another.
The board Of promotions was organized by
Secretary Noble by order Of December 81, 1892,
and at tho direction Of President Harrison, who
desired to establish an efficiency record system
in ell the departments and plan Of competi-
tive examination for promotions.
1t is said at the Interior Department that the
examining board had been abolished because it
was found to be impraeticable. It il saad that
in the examinations for promotions man who
was Just out Of college and had only been in
the department month could pass and go to
the top Of the list over the head of clerk who
had been In the service for years, although the
new man might have to be taught his duties for
the next six months. This explanation would
seem to indicate, however, that the instructions
issued by Secretary Noble for conducting the
e1aminations in practical way have not been
carried out
The department now returns to the system in
vogue before the issuance Of the Presidents in
structions, although it is improved by continu-
ing In force the efficiency record.
THE FUTURE METHOD.
Hereafter promotions in the Interior Depart
ment viii be made upon the recommendation
Of the heads Of bureaus whose action will be
based largely upon the Endorsements Of division
chiefs and those in immediate authority over
the clerks. 1t Is stated positively that the
efficiency record will be maintained strictly
and that 1t will determine the action Of division
chiefs in recommending clerks for promotion.
In other words, the initial move for q promo
tion must como from the clerks immediate
| superior officer, but the Secretary's latitude in
making the promotion or not will be bounded
only, if bounded at all, by the efficiency record
and the Endorsements Of his subordinate OIL
cials.
It will be seen, therefore, that the action Of
Secretary Smith in abOlisbing the competitive
examinations makes . sweeping change In ie-
partmental methods and inaugurates q new
system for the guidance Of ambitious clerks
desiring to better their condition in the govern
ment service.
CONFLICTING VIEWS.
The clerks hold conflicting opinions as to the
effect OF the change. Some Of them denounce
it, saying that it is an abrogation of civil service
methods anda return to the spois system under
which the Secretary has liberty to promote
whom he pleases, without regard to ability, if
he wants to. They say that influence" and
.'fayoritism" will now have good chance and
free swing.
On the other hand, some clerks commend
the change. They argue that the heads of
bureaus and chiefs Of divisions can now have
latitude to promote;clerks who are familiar with
the duties of their Office but may not be able
to pass high school examination in geogra-
ply, history and political economy. They say
that real merit, practical knowledge, can now
come TO the front, unhampered by pedagogic
rules and regulations, always supposing. CT
course, that the promotions will be recon-
mended in spirit Of fairness and personal i'm
partiality.
THE pEPosED BOARD.
The board Of promotions, which has been
abolished, was composed Of the following per-
sons: Lucius L. Bridges, a law clerk in the
Office Of the assistant attorney general; Francis
A. Weaver, chief Of the division of lands and
railroads, Office Of theS ecretary; William II.
Bayly, designated As examiner Of the board
January 19, 1892, q clerk of class in the PEN
sion office. Also the following auxiliary mem
bers from the bureaus Of the department: Wes-
ley g. Carr, law clerk in the patent office
Francis E. Camp principal examiner in the
pension Office; James G. Johnston a clerk Of class
in the general land Office; Edmund s. Woog,
financial clerk in the Office of Indian affairs
John W. Holcombe, chief clerk in the Office of
education; Marcus Baker. . topographer in the
geological survey; Francis E. Storm, assistant
bookkeeper in the Office Of the commissioner of
railroads.
THE OLD ORDER.
Secretary Mobiles order organizing the board
was as follows:
Hereafter promotions Of employees in the
classified service Of the Department Of the In
terror shall be based on the record Of efficiency
kept in the several offices where they are en-
v,ln nd thoir tam in yorv
petitive written examinations to be held by the
board Of promotions Also to . limited extent
on length Of service and experience in the de-
partment, and on military or naval service.
"The general board Of promotions for the De-
partment Of the Interior shall consist Of three
persons. to be designated by the Secretary Of
the Interior. one Of whom shall be the exam
liner designated for duty with the board, and Of
one auxiliary member of q grade not lower
than class from each bureau Of the depart
ment, to be selected for such duty by the head
Of the bureau, subject to the approval Of the
Secretary.
Each auxiliary member, together with the
three members designated by the Secretary,
shall constitute special board for examining
employees Of the bureau represented by said
auxiliary member. The latter, in connection
with the examiner, shall have charge of the
preparation and marking Of the examination
papers for the bureau he represents, and shall
be present during every such examination.
'',The general board shall elect its own chair
man, but each auxiliary member shall be chair
man Of his special board, and majority of the
members Of each board shall constitute
quorum thereof. Such assistants as may be
necessary at any time shall be detailed for duty
with the general and special boards.
[Here follow regulations for making the
ratings.1
1.-THE examinations shall be practical in char
acter and shall relate principally to the work
assigned by law and custom and performed in
the branches Of the department in which the
competitors are employed. Two or more
grades having work of q similar character may
be grouped together for the purpose Of exami-
nation, but promotion shall be limited to the
next higher grade.
Especial examinations, based on professional
attainments or technical skill. will be allowed in
two cases only-(D the examining corps Of the
patent office; (2) the medical division of the
bureau Of pensions, in which latter case exami-
nations will be limited to clerks Of class 8 who
are graduates in medicine and who desire to
compete for the position OF medical examiner
"The efficiency record and the examina-
tion shall be given equal weight, the final rating
being determined as follows: The various parts
of the examination shall be marked on a scale
Of 100, and shall be given such relative weights,
on a scale Of 100, as the proper special board
may determine An average shall be taken Of