St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-11

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The majority
report of the civil service committee for
the present year is voluminous docu-
ment of about $4,000 words-as long as
the presidents message. The portion
of special interest is that bearing on the
extension of the classified service to
free-delivery postotfices by order of
President Harrison Jan. 5, 1898. 1t is
from this portion that the minority re-
port, by Commissioner johnson, dis
scented. causing his removal by Presi-
dent Cleveland. The majority report
says of this extension: This act
brought into the classified service 5S4
offices, and since its PRONUNCIATION the
free-delivery service has been eX-
tended to nine other offices.
making the total number Clio,
including the 53 classified prior to this
extension. Changes in the New York
custom house are cited as examples.
The satisfactory results of the classifi-
cation of the New York mail service
are given in length. The work of
fourth class postmasters subject to re-
moyal for party causes is cited in COM
clerks 10 show the advantage of the sys-
tenn of choosing the latter. The extern
sion of
THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE
to the weather bureau has not been in
effect long enough to justify state
ment upon its effect. No apprehension
is expressed, however, that it will not
be benefit. Comment on and compar-
son with the civil servicein other coun-
tries, as shown by consular reports. is
as follows:
In the uuclassified service, taken as
whole, the governmental methods of
the United States do not materially diff
fer from the methods Of Colombia, and
in part do not differ very radically from
those of Turkey, and they are so utterly
indefensive from the standpoint of de-
cency and morality that il is difficult for
man of ordinary intelligence who
wishes we'll to his country to discuss
arguments advanced in their favor with
anything like tolerance. AS above
pointed out, the logical result of the
Spolls system is the method obtaining
IN Morocco, where the man pays for his
appointment and gets means for max
ing money. This is precisely what's done
IN extreme cases in the SpOiiS system
here. Two years ago, for instance, the
COMMISSION found in the investigation
into the branch of the
UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE
in Washington that in some cases 1t
still was the custom for men who had
influence in some of Its Offices to sell
their influence and procure appoint
ments upon the receipt of money, the
appointees. of course, seeking to reim-
burSe themselves so far as practicable
from the general public. The commis-
sion believes that the time has fully
come when such regulations, prescrib-
ing uniform system of open. voluntary
competition, Joined with proper eff
cheney rating, should govern promo
tons in all the departments, and that
the regulations should be administered
by the commission as the law contem-
plates and provides. The latter part of
| the report consists of abstracts of con-
sular letters received in answer to cir
culdr sent out by the state department
asking for information upon the subject
OF hours of labor of government EN-
ployes i'll other countries. The letters
| from conSuls are exhaustive on this
| point, and close with a statement that
the number OF persons connected with
the civil service in the United States is
about 100000, and giving in detail the
regulations governing departments Of
labor, compensation, promotions, etc.
THE MINORITY REPORT
! of Commissioner johnson is in part as
| follows:
To the President-Sir: l regret to
have to withhold my approval from a
| part of the annual report submitted by
my colleagues, and especially so as |
| felt compelled to enter dissent to their
last report. AS my colleagues know.
cannot give sanction to that portion of
their report which commends the extern
sion Of the classified service ordered
Jan. 5, 1898, to include the free delivery
postoffices. objected to this extension
at the time it was proposed. After the
order was issued and IL became a law, |
endeavored, as in duty bound, to en-
force it; but my opinion of the measure
has never changed. thought then, and
think now, that under the attending
circumstances and conditions it was i'll
advised, unfair and harmful to the
cause of civil service reform. The public
service has unquestionably been greatly
improved through the agency of what is
known as ''civil service reform" This
system, fairly treated, will not only
prove its usefulness, but it Will certainly
fix itself in the respect and confidence
of the people. 1t ought not to be handi-
capped by such handling as will excite
| diStruSt and arouse prejudice. Under q
government like ours, the people are
quick to resent radical methods when
resorted to for the advancement of
measures of acknowledged merit. Civil
service reform needs the employment
of no such methods in its behalf. Con-
servatively developed and conserva-
lively administered, enforcing the law
and respecting and obeying the law,
just to others and especially just to
ltself.it is bound sooner or later to work
out its own fulfillment to the satisfac-
ton of the people and the good of the