New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-08
BURNS GIVES UP HIS BILL
FAILURE OF AN ATTACK ON CIVIL SER
VICE REFORM.
THE SENATE PASSES THE BILL TO REoRcANizo
THE STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND
ITS woRK-rERMs OF THE MEASURE

ITS woRK-rERMs OF THE MEASURE
ryRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT ov THE TRIBuNE.l
Albany. May 7-Assemblyman j. Irving Burns
OF Yonkers. has abandoned his bill declaring that
no applicant for a State or city Once paying
under 81 day shall be required to pass CIVIL
service examination.
II thought there was considerable Justice IN the
bill when introduced It. and ] still think So"
said Mr. Burns. but was unaware that "
would affect such large proportion OF the e"'
ployes OF the State and OF the cities OF the State
The figures given out by the State Civil Service
Reform Association surprised me. and resolved
10 desist from pushing my bill. II is now before
the Assembly but I shall not call II up. and at
this late hour In the session II will not be passed.
Besides I have no desire now that II shall pass"
The Senate this afternoon considered the ad'
mirable measure framed by Edward OConnoe
and Charles r. Saxton. as members OF the spe'
c.nl Committee OF the Legislature OF 1884 WHICH
Investigated the condition Of the Civil Service OF
the state and then drew up bill 10 strengthen
the Civil Service Examination laws. The Dill DC.
gins with this hat-footed statement:
"All appointments and promotions In the Civn
Service of the State and Of all the civil divisions
thereof including cities and villages. shall be
made according to merit ard fitness. irrespective
OF political or religious affiliations"
The measure provides that the three Civil Ser
vice Commissioners shall receive yearly salary
Of 81 900 each This Is an increase or $,ooo'
and is designed to secure the services OF men VINO
will devote most Of their time 10 their duties. Tn's
has not been the hitherto. Section OF the
act prescribes the rules which are 20 COVER"
civil-service examinations. II says
Said rules shall among other things provasi; iac..
First-For the classification OF the omces' p'ae~
opfa In q
Second-For examinations to ascertain the n'ness
ocs o applii"es A examinaons shall be public. and said
commission shall set forth IN It's report sc,. 20 'ss
sch together with it's views 60
the Improvement and extension o. tne same: same ~"
% iabsSed "a as Aforesaid shall relate to political Or
religious opinions or an1l:asions ana no appo,n,.s n.
Within the scope OF the rules established az afore
said shall be in any manner AFFECTED or
shall be practical in their character. and 80 far
be shall relate to those mater; %nen N %
persons examined TO discharge the duties OF ING
service to which they seek s 10 De Of paOpcsns for
employment as aborers shall be open competitSxs S
ereons paSc eHSsSs or
petition Is found not to BE practicable DIcSs,, The fs
habits as to Industry and sobriety and the neces'
Third-For the nlins OF vacancies in the ofaces.
places and employments in the public service sub,
ssTs among 20 those @ graded highest such
examination but the rule may provide for the Sc
lection OF the applicant s5aasa nshe :eose"
IN s A%y V M:r sS sssS g g
preference IN appointment and promotion from any y
be- made without regard to their standing on such
list.
Fourth-For a period Of probation before an sa-
pointment employment Is made permanent
Fifth-For promotions In once on the basis OF
ascertaned merit and seniority IN service and ex-
animation may seem desirable. In AL ca:es
by promotion
Senator Ranes assailed the bill as one which
permitted the Civil Service Commissioners to hold
their offices. although they themselves had not
passed a cvil-eervice examination. He offered an
amendment requiring such an examination. but
was beaten on IL. He then offered an amendment
providing that the Civil Service Commissioners
should devote their entire time to this work.
This was also beaten. Another amendment
requiring the expense account OF the Com
lnissoners to be audited by the State Con-
troller was opposed by Senator O'Connor. and
was beaten. Senator Ranes then declared that
the bill robbed the Governor OF the authority TO
approve or disapprove OF the rules and regulations
drawn up by the Board Of Civil Service Commits
sioners He offered amendment. restoring this
right to the Governor Senator OConnor OPP
posed continuing this power In the Governors
hands 1t was one which had been greatly abused
by Governors Hill and Flower. he said. 1t mixed
up the Executive with minor and petty duties Mr..
Raines's amendment was defeated
The Senate then came 10 vote on the DILL
Senator Ranes denounced II as ridiculous one.
It was Just the view OF the,bill the people would
expect him TO take. The bill passed by vote OF q
70 g. the three negative votes being given Dy Sen2-
tors Mullin, SnelZer and Sullivan