New-York tribune., 1896-04-25
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS.
MORE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS sUG-
GESTED.
prs,-, &c or coMMIrrEE.s INVESTIGATION RE
PORTED TO TIE LEGIsLATURE-MR. FINN


PORTED TO TIE LEGISLATURE-MR. FINN
DEXoUNcEs THE WHOLE SYSTEM
Albany April A-The legislative subcommittee
which Investigated the administration OF the |lv'
Service law last year submitted its report 10 tne
Legislature to-day The testimony regarding the
condition of affairs In the Brooklyn civil service
Commission published at the time 1t was taKeh' ~
reviewed at length. The report says
From what has developed in the progress OF the
various investiga tons made under the authority OF
Service system may be greatly improved by the
adoption of more practical inethols TOT the ascsI
riovment in the public service The most desira BILE
mode of determining fitness for office Is tne oeSl
ANY attempt 10 make It unreasonably difficult 10 Sc
employment will defeat the oo,ect OF gemSn
that the Civil Service law be so amended as 10
provide - r.. ,.,, t., cha n,b,ic
service shall specify the particular department i oi
government and character Of service sought ana
schedules made for proper classification
2 That examinations shall be conducted ny per per.
contemplated by the service as far as practicable
That questions shall be fSrmga'ea 1rS ana pre- Pre
have relation TO the kind of serv ce TO be performed
4 That technical knowledge where required, shaiI e
be tested ascertained by oral examinations as iaE
& Thai ali examination papers and ratings shall
be preserved for period of at least six months, and
any person examined may require their production
upon order OF a of record to examine into the
correctness Of the same
g. Any person who falsely personates another in
any proceeding or examination conducted under
Civil Service regulations shall be deemed guilty Of
misdemeanor and upon conviction be suo'ecr 10 Ga
more than one year or BOTH the discretion Of the
court
l. Appointments may be made from any number Of
names the list Of applicants certified 10 nave
passed examinations in any special line or service
Mquired preference being given to veterans as no"
g. No rule or regulation Of local Civil Service Com
missions. or any change thereof shall be operative
until apDrOyed by State Civil Service COM
mission.
. The Justification Of any Civil Service record shall
De made a misdemeanOr.
70 No age limit shall be prescribed.
IL. No classification Of laborers shall be made 10
oiscr1mnate In age, nor shall any examination as
to the necessities Of aborer be required.
shall be held in the judicial district in which the SER
10 No eligible list shall extend beyond one year.
but may be added to from time TO time when appca-
t9ns 10, r9r examination shall exceed nifty
shah be decreased during IN P5som bs term IN of employ
ment nor shall any person be discharged without
cause stated and opportunity for a hearing before
the Civil Service Commission certifying the appoint
ment OF such person.
Assemolyman Finn. Of New-York, submitted
minority report In which he recommended that the
Cni Service laws be repealed He said
The administration Of Civil Service laws has be-
eoTrunsio ercess irresponsible engine OF partisan
sga usga service boards have passed under the manip-
HsrVn Oh single, venal subordnate; eligible lists
ns,o nave been annulled to make excuse for non-com-
{rans.ss. appointments; exemptions have been
appicae,sT extended to spurious veterans; favorite
of ofens nave been furnished with advance copies
bays hnnaton papers: positions on the eligible lists
ersr,ome oecome objects Of barter between applicants:
immi.nauons have been made to consist of absurdly
sha. sha,a'erai or technical questions at the wanton
and % ns or pedantic or imbecie examiners; honest
Gs eompetent applicants have been heartlessly
nass ior appointment time after time. only 10 be
a ssa over by the appointing officer under The plea
S.r' .rM'cretlon but really by corrupt connvance, and
fir.e worn out their faith and patience. and
sns even their honesty under the natural operation
M ehawful manipulation OF the system.
sh.ne so-caled tenure-of-offce element Is also
S,a San ana n subordinates tenure Ia brittle a
snpes,ors favor The system does much TO make
ssr ssryv.n'ment TO office difficult nothing TO make 1t
cvs Impressed ! with the folly OF the
Hs,, service laws of the State and the failure OF
fhe administration. l respectfully recommend TO
legislature their complete abolition