New-York tribune., 1896-12-30
CHALLENGE TO SPOILSMEN.
Or SANGER READY WITH CIVIL
SERVICE BILL.
= PROPOSES TO APPLY THE MANDATE OF THE
CONSTITUTION NOT ONLY TO THE STATE
But ALSO TO ALL THE CITIES

But ALSO TO ALL THE CITIES
IN THE STATE
Albany, Dec. 29-Coonel William Cary San
,er one of the most prominent members of the
tate LEGISLATURE. is determined opponent of
ne spoils system in politics and just as de-
.rnined In his Republicanism. He Will intro
iuce I'm the Legislature next Wednesday. the
tr., 6av of the session. a bill which he says.
ru, ~o far toward carrying out the Civil Service
,rov,sions of the new Constitution. In discuss
ne the question tonight, he said:
"rbe Civil Service is one department Of public
nairs In which the spos system was at one
,me supreme 1t was there. as everywhere, eX-
ravagant, but it made some men almost in
arcible in caucus and convention. For ten
rars the Republican party in State and Ma
,onal platform has pledged itself to the over
hrow OF the spoils system by what has been
.nown as the reform of the Civil Service or the
edition Of the merit system. In 1884 the Re-
ublicans framed a Constitution which en-
od,ed in one Of its provisions the principle of
no merit system and made it imperative upon
he LEGISLATURE 20 enact the laws necessary to
arrv the system into operation. During the
essons Of 1895 and 1896 the Legislature refused
o pass any law on the subject; hut in the mean
1ause Of the Constitution was self executing.
nd that all appointments made in violation Of
/ were void
Every one now admits that the Legislature Of
S97 should take some action. shall introduce
he first day of the session bill which is in its
esential features identical with the bills intro
need by me in 1895 and 1896. 1t provides that
he three Civil Service Commissioners. to be ap
ointed by the incoming Governor. shall be al
otted terms of two. four and six years. Each
Governor thereafter would thus have the ap-
ointment of one Commissioner He is given
he power Of removing any or all of the Commits
toner's for reasons TO be stated in writing.
1.-THE bill directs that the Commissioners shall
aake rules for carrying the law into effect. Their
ules shall provide for the examinations required
" the Constitution. but such examinations snail
e practical in their character and shall relate
q those matters which will fairly test the rela-
I've capacity and fitness of the persons examined
o discharge the duties Of the service to whch
hey seek to be appointed.
"These examinations shall be open and COM
etitive in al! cases except for laborers. Inc eX-
mination for laborers shall relate 10 tnelr
apacity for work. their habits as to lndustr!
nd sobriety and the number of persons de-
,endent upon them for support. There shall be
period Of probation before appointment our
ng which time the fitness of the applicant
or the place can be determined in the mos.
ra ctIcal manner which can be devised-tne
.,o~lr
ally observation Of the way he does MS WORK;
Promotions shall be for ascertained merit ana
eniority. examinations being held wnen neeueu, 80
me rules may be amended from this 10 tne
nth the approval of the Governor Ihe Con-
mission shall keep roster OF all tnose o.ne,
han laborers or workmen. In the classineo
ervice and they shall certify to the S9n'rE,eI au
he names of those in the service. and ne snail
nIv pay those thus certified. Similar rules
egarding rosters of city employees shaIi govern
ity municipal Civil Service Commissioners
"The Mayor of every city is required 10 APP
oint municipal Civil Service Commission: ano
q shall have power of removal Inc ota,e
Commission may, by unanimous vote set ASIDE
nv marking or grading by municipal com
mission under restrictions ana hmi'auo"s pi0
hded in the bill. ,,r o,,das
"It will thus be seen that the bill provl9es
or the enforcement of the Constitution uiues .s
nnditions which will be uniform In all paris
= the state and which will secure the harmohi'
MS working OF the entire system 49,
at would be entirely possible TO MAKE .ns
examinations as practicable as any one couiu
esire and am personally In favor OF inahlne Sn,'
hem so intensely practical that the most cap
ious critic cannot find ground for complaint