New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-05
CIVIL SERTICE CHANGES.
NEW RULES AND A RECONSIDERATION
ORDER.
THE GOVERNOR THINKS NOTIFICATIONS HAVE
BEEN MADE NECESSARY BY THE
DEVISED CONSTITUTION


REVISED CONSTITUTION.
Albany. Aug 4-The Civil Service rules and regu-
lations are to be revised and reclasslhcation Of
the employees in the State service and In the various
civil divisions in the State is TO be made nj once.
This was determined upon to-day by Governor
Morton. In accordance with his decision he sent
the following letter TO the State Civil Service Com
mission
BY Chapter sd of the laws OF 1883 the policy Of
requiring appointments in the Civil Ser ice 10 be
based upon the ritness Of applicants Wa inaugu:
rated in this State and 4 commission was PROVIDED
TO administer the ldw under rules and reEdatiore
which the commission was given authority TO pre-
scribe. subject 10 the approval OF IN. Governor
The scheme for the regulation Of the civil 5e-vics
contemplated by this statute has been since some.
what enlarged and modined by other i.gisttton ana
a section incorporated In the revisei Constitu-
motions in the civil Service OF the STATE and an
the civil divisions thereof including cities and VIZ
TO be ascertaiued. far practicable by cxanii-
nations which. so far as practicable shall BE- COM
nently established the merit system In the public
service Of this state. II has been under consdera-
ton by highest judicial tribunals af.d has re-
ceived construction which substantially makes
chafged with the responsibility OF making ciVl APP
The rules ard regulations prescribed by the CiviI
Service Commission upon IT. creation In 1888 have
not since been seriously modified. except in matters
those interested in this subject that the Ciyi-set-
ulations upon which II was originally based. and
that such rules and regulations should be recast
made to conform 10 the requirements Of the re-
vsed Constitution and the enlarged scope OF the
public service. The experience q: the Commission
during the last few months shows, ! think, the
necessity Of a classification. and the time
have arrived when such classification
should be made and new rules and regula lions
tnblshed better adapted TO existing conditions and
conducive to a more satisfactory administration.
The duty OF providing Tor such administra ton
still rests upon the Commission and the Governor.
| think the Constitution clearly provided for three
classes OF appointments. namely exempt. nom
competitive and competitive, and the duty seems
to upon the Commission 10 determine in what
applicants should be subjected examna-
responsibilities and functions OF the office,
animation Is not practicable"
The constitutional provision giving persons pos.
sessng superior merit and fitness tn. primary rig
10 appointment Is modified by The provision giv.r G
preference veterans without regard 20 their
the Nation il made specific Qua.ifica Ton FOR APP
polntmeat and must be taken into cOnsltera ton.
although other candidates may possess grea ter
schOlas &c requirements business -riencs The
signal honor bestowed upon veterans by the Con-
stitution cannot be ignored ard The ne@ rules and
regulations which may b. recommended should
make ampe provision FOR liberal interpre alton
OF this constitutional requirement.
For the purpose OF giving effect 20 these sUS-
gesiiols and 10 such others as tie Commission ma
deem important. and with view Of placing the
Civil Service upon a better business basis and
bringing II more clearly within the scope % the
new Constitution. YOU are respectfully requested
10 prepare and submit al your early convenience
for Executive consideration such n revision OF me
rules and regulations concerning the aiministra-
together with a classification or such ohlces
OF the STATE and the civil divisions thereof as nay
be within the Present jurisdiction OF the Oo">
mission.