Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-14
TENURE OF OFFICE.
Mr.. Boatner Has Fears of an Office
Holding Glass.
4 TERM OF YEARS FOR ALL OFFICERS
A Bill Proposing Changes in the
Civil Service War.
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS

Representative Boatner Of Louisiana in
tends to submit to Congress a plan for a
far-reaching revision Of the civil service
system. 1t will amount to q repeal Of the
present civil service law and the substitu-
ton In its place Of q system suited to the
various departments. Mr. Boatner's prom
irence as a member Of the judiciary COM
mittee and the position accorded him by his
associates as a conservative leader give
the proposed measure more Importance
than a passing proposition to alter the
civil service law, although 1t is hardly like
ly to be enacted into law. He talked today
with Mr.. Sayers, chairman of the appro-
priations committee, with a view to offer
ing the changes as a part Of the legisla-
tive, executive and judicial appropriation
bill.
This measure carries appropriations for
the civil service system. Should 1t not be
offered as an amendment to that bill 1t will
be brought before the House in some other
form. Mr.. Boatner does not wish to en-
danger the appropriation bill by subjecting
1t to the chance of a veto II sweeping
changes In the civil service system are
made.
In BRIEF Mr.. Boatner's plan seeks to do
away with the life tenures created by the
present civil service law and to limit gov
ernmental service to two terms of six years
each. the second term being allowed only
after competitive examination.
Zach department Is given authority to
examine applicants and certify a list of
eligible appointees. SO that the examina-
tions may be specially suited to the needs
Of the respective departments. Political
preterment in making appointments and
In discharging employees is to be guarded
against by making 1t unlawful to urge or
consider party matters for or against an
applicant or employee.
Once HOlding-Class.
Speaking Of the proposed measure. Mr..
Boatner said today: II am in favor Of q
good civil service system, but the present
law. after full trial, has proved ineffective
and unjust. 1t builds up an ofice-holding
class and results in giving life tenures to
those In office. A visit to a department
will show women drawing from 1900 to
s.. 500 per year from the government. while
at the same time other women Of equal
intelligence are working in private offices
at SO week. I have no objection to the
women earning H,2OO or $1,SOO, but want
the outside woman to have an opportunity
of earning this amount"
AT the end Of the proposed time the place
held by an employee would be open to COM
petttive examination before the department
civil service board. The employee who had
served for six years in the place could COM
pete with others, and his or her experience
might give ar advantage tnSuring reap
pointment for six years. Yet superior serv-
ice established by examination would be
the only way for continuing the term to
twelve years. At the end of that time the
service would terminate without further
opportunity for examination or continuance
In government employ.
In this way life tenures in the govern
ment service would be brought to an end
and the civil service laws would be made to
harmonic with the needs of the various
branches of the public service"
Mr.. Boatner's plan Is in line with a pre-
vailing sentiment in Congress for q change
in the civil service laws. There Is little in
clination, however. to repeal the law out
right, but to remodel, and 1t is this that Mr..
Boatner seeks to accomplish.