The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-25
CIVIL SERVICE CHANGES.
RIO RI PROPOSED AMEND
MENTs or THE LAW.
Recowmsrss,ious or the Legislative sub-
committee witch Investigated the Al
ninistrntIou OF the Law Assembiyman
Finr Wants the whole ThtnE Abolished.

Recommendation or the Legislative sab
committee witch Investigated the Ad.
ministrntion OF the Law AssembIymav
Finn WHAT'S the whole JhinE Abolished
ALBAYY. April p4.-The legislative sub-com
mittee which Investigated the administrator
OF the Civil Service law last year submitted III
report 10 the Legislature to-day. The report
says!
From what has developed In the progress Of
the various Investigations made under the au'
thority Of the Legislature IL Ia fair to state that
the civil service system may be greatly i'm.
proved by the adoption OF moro practical meth.
DDS for the asccrtainment OF the qualifications
of those seeking employment in the public ser
vice. The most desirable mode OF determining
fitness for office Is the best and is commended
70 the good sense OF the people. Any attempt to
make II unreasonably dificIlt to secure EN-.
ployment will defeat the object OF genuine civil
service. II Ia therefore that the
civil Service law DO 80 amended as to provide:
First-That all applications for positions In
the public service shall specify the particular
department OF Government and character of
service sought, and that applicants shall be
classified according to schedules made for proper
classification.
Second-That examinations shall be conducted
by persons OF practical experience in the various
matters contemplated by the service as far as
practicable.
T%hird-That questions shall be formulated
and presented to candidates for examination
which shall have relation to the kind Of service
70 be performed.
Fourth-That technical knowledge. where re-
Quircd, shall be tested or ascortained by oral
examinations rs far as practicable.
Flfth-That all examination papers and rat
ings shall DO preserved for n period Of at least
elk months. and any person examined may ro-
quire their production upon order of n court or
record to examine into the correctness OF the
same.
Sixth-Any person who falsely personates an
other in any proceeding or examination con-
Quoted under civil service regulations shall be
deemed guilty of IA inisdCineauUr ana upon con-
victiun be subject to II fine not exceeding 500,
or imprisonment for not, more than one year, or
both, in the discretion of the court.
seventh Appointments may be made from
any number of names IN the list OF applicants
certified to have passed examinations In the spe-
cial line OF service required, preference oeing
given to veterans us now provided by law.
Service Commissions. or any change thereof,
shall be operative until approved by the state
Civil Service Commission.
Ninth-The Justification Of any civil service
record shall be made n mlsdemeanor.,
Tenth No age limit shall he prescribed.
Eleventh No classification of laborers shall
be made to discriminate in age, nor shall any
examination us to the necessities of a laborer be
Twelfth for positions In tho
State service shall be held in the judicial dis
trict in which the service IL To be performed.
Thirteenth-No eligible list shall extend be-
yond one year, but may be added to from time
to time when applications for examination shall
exceed tifty.
F0urtecnth-The compensation of no person
in public service shall be decreased during the
term OF employment, nor slIall any person be-
discharged without cause stated and opportu-
nifty Tor a hearing before the Civil Service Com
mission certifying the appointment of such per
son.
Assembly man Finn of New York submitted a
minority report in which he that
the civil service laws be repealed. He says:
"The administration of civil service laws has
become a mrrciess. irresponsible engine OF par
tisan corruption and oflcial spoliation. Most of
the municipal service boards have passed under
the manipulation of n single, venal subordinate;
eligible lists have been Hnnulled to make excuse
for non-com~p ctitive appointments: exemptions
have been fraudulently extended TO, spurious
Veterans; favorite applicants have been fnr-
nished with advance copies OF examine
ton papers: positions on the eltgi bic
lists have become objects Of barter be-
tween applicants: examinations have been
made tn consist OF absurdly immaterial or tech
meal questions Mt the wanton whim of pedantic
or imbecile examiners: honest and competent
applicants have been heartlcssly certified for
time after time. only to be passed
over by the appointing officer under the plea OF