Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-12

who are proven to be qualified and to
keep in those who have never given any
evidence, such as is required by this
law, as to whether they are qualified
or not.
Such law should not be permitted
to remain upon our statute books.
There is no sense in it and it should be
wiped out. The law is in effect
law to keep Republicans In Office
and has none of the merits OF
law to improve the civil service.
What use can letter carrier in Wheel
ing have for an intimate acquaintance
with the geography OF Africa, or the
clerk at a stamp window with an irreg-
ular verb? II man is acquainted with
the work he is expected to perform and
knows how to condleI bis part Of the
business, what difference does it make
to the public service whether he has a
college education or none? What the
letter carrier needs is an acquaintance
in his town, a good pair OF legs and the
ability to read and write. All the Greek
and Latin, the natural sciences, the
moral philosophy aud everything else
that is taught in all the Universities OF
the continent would not make him
better letter carrier and the sxamina-
ton in any branches beyond his re-
Quirements should neither be expected
nor allowed
A private clerk Of Democratic post
master, some six or eight years ago,
proved so efficient at the general de-
livery and stamp window Of a West
Virginia postoffice that upon the petit
ton OF citizens she was retained by the
Republican postmaster who followed.
Through the two administrations she
maintained her efficiency and was con-
sidered the best person who was
ever in charge OF that depart
ment at the Office in question.
When the new Democratic postmaster
took charge the lady clerk was asked to
take the civil service examination so
that she might be paid by the govern
ment instead of out of the postmaster's
private pocket. She took the examina-
tion aud failed. She was the best clerk
the Office had ever had but the law says
she is not competent to hold her job.
She still presides at the stamp window
and never makes a mistake in giving
change.
But even were The examination cor
rect test Of competency, the civil ser
vice act steps in again and stands in
the way Of those who, after the require
ments OF this very law, have proven
their competency. The official who is
responsible for the conduct of his Office
is prohibited from employing his
own assistants by this measure
of reform" Those who are capable
and honest, and have an interest
in seeing the affairs of the Office prop
erly conducted are called ineligible and
the employees OF former official, who
have long been fed on public pap, who
are in no way in sympathy with the
mon they are TO work with, and
who in every way may be expected
to throw discredit on the Office where
they serve, are required by this obnox-
ious measure to be retained.
The whole thing is farce. 1t in no
way improves the public service. 1t is
simply political job, and the sooner
the measure is repealed the better it
will be for the country as q whole and
the cause OF Democracy. The proper
examination of applicants for ofice-a
genuine civil service Reform, with big
R-would be all right, but the country
is sick OF the present law and it can not
DO repealed too soon.