Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-23
THE CHIEFS OF DIVISION.
The Movement to Include Them I'm the
Classified Service.


Classified Service.
The reported movement in the form OF
petition to have chiefs Of division included in
the classified civil service has excited some con-
troversy. Those who started the movement
say il has been misunderstood. One of these
wrote to The STAR today the following ex-
planatory statement:
In your issue OF yesterday there appear
some remarks by "A Democrat concerning the
movement among the clerks to induce the Pres
ident-elect to change the status of chiefs Of
division. In reply thereto permit me to quote
the petition which is now in circulation for sig
natures and has already been numerously
signed. II is as follows:
ITO the President of the United States:
The undersigned employees in the classified
departmental service respectfully petition that
the civil service rule which excerpts chiefs of
division from examination be abrogated.
Under the present construction Of that rule
persons without experience in the service are
usually appointed chiefs of division. and en-
ployes having that special knowledge and train
ing which are indispensable to the proper dis
charge OF the important duties Of those posi-
lions are deprived Of opportunities Cor promo
ton.
1.-The practice is seriously detrimental to the
public interests; and by Withholding promotion
those now in the service are discouraged and
young men of ability and promise are de-
TERED from entering. 1t also tends TO impair
the efficiency Of the departments and 70 de-
moralize the service"
"A Democrat" asserts that the chiefs Of d.
vision have instigated this effort
The facts are that this petition was prepared
in meeting Of clerks where not one chief of
division was present. nor had any chief any
knowledge Of any intention of these clerks 70
take the action they have taken. The Language
of the petition itself is sufficient to preclude
the idea Of any tenderness toward the present
chiefs Of division on the part of its originutors
What is desired is such action by the Presi-
dent as will keep these places from being filled
by men unframed in the duties pertaining 10
them and cause their bestowal upon men who
have the experience and training in the several
bureaus which alone can render the future in
cumbents fit
Another correspondent OF The STAR saws:
The professors against the movement for max
ing the places of chiefs Of division subject TO
competitive examination are firing off their
guns prematurely.
fed service. but the examination to which thew
will be subjected on entering the service is
non-competltive, /. e., simply a pass examina-
ton.
The writer Of this has signed one Of the
petitions. but would not have done so had he
not be presented until such changes among that
class OF public servants shall have been made
as the incoming administration shall see lit to
make.
Any one who assumes the movement has been
instigated by the present chiefs OF division is
certainly mistaken, for among the numerous
names subscribed to the petition submitted to
me 1 have not found the name OF one of the
many chiefs Of division whom 1 happen to
know in the Treasury Department.
do not propose TO advance any arguments
why these places should be open to the clerks
in the classified service, but I may be per-
mitted to say this: Let a start in the desired
direction be made, even il none other but our
democratic friends shall be the beneficiaries
minor statesman out OF a Job" saws: III
civil service rules are to be made to cover bu-
reau chiefs and their deputies and division
chiefs. instead Of protecting those now in, who
were appointed purely through influence, such
places should be declared vacant and
filled by examinations. The candidates for ex-
animation should be selected from the clerical
force now under the classified service
There is one thing" this writer saws. that
was worked to advantage when the present adj
ministration came in, and probably will be
to know Of this case, and have heard Of others),
who was appointed purely for political reasons
under President Cleveland's last administra-
ton, was given the option Of resigning or tax
ing mere formal examination and accepting
q u 500 cierkship. He chose the latter. He
every ciass below his grade. His successor.
now, OF course, . good republican, and un-
doubtedly fascinated by the beauties of the
capital city, viii desire to remain and viii try
the same thing. Mind you this division chief
did not take the straight civil service examina-
employed"