The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-08
Civil Service Reform.

Some time ago the Civil Service Re-
form association sent to Senator Pen
rose and John Wanamaker a letter
mentioning the fact that fourth-class
postmasters remain as yet ouside the
provisions of the civil service laws,
and requesting a reply to the question
whether each would, If elected to the
United States senate, use his influence
to effect an extension of the civil SER
vice rules to cover these and other
positions.
Mr., Wanamaer made no response,
but Senator Penrose wrote: while l
am not prepared to state at this time
that l favor the extension of the pro-
visions of the civil service law to all
fourth class postotfices throughout the
country, / will say that l am pledged
to support and advocate the enactment
of stringent civil service laws, which
will absolutely divorce the civil SER
vice, especially of our municipalities,
from politics and insure the people an
honest administration of public af-
fairs
esting to recall the provisions of the
bill "for the establishment OF the civil
service of the commonwealth and of
cities and counties of more than $50, 900
inhabitants' which has twice been in
dorsed by the Republicans of Pennsyl-
Vania in state convention and which
Senator Goblin will press for enactment
during the present session of the legis-
lature. 1t provides for the appoint
ment by the governor of three civil
service commissioners, to serve three
year terms. They shall receive salaries
and travelling expenses. All officers in
cities and counties of more than $50 900
inhabitants shall be under civil SER
vice rules and are to be classified by
the commission, the only exceptions
being officers elected by the people,
officers whose appointment is subject
to confirmation by the senate the pri-
vate secretary, stenographer and mes
senger of the governor, clerks and other
officers and all employees of the senate
and house of representatives, assist
ants to district attorneys and city
solicitors, private secretary, stenog-
rapher and messenger of the mayor of
any city, heads of departments of the
government of any city, and one per-
son, deputy, assistant, cashier or chief
clerk, to be designated by the head of
each department. The commission shall
prepare rules and regulations to carry
out the purposes of the act, and may
from time to time amend or rescind the
same, but all such rules and amend
ments shall be subject to the approval
of the governor.
The rules shall, .aS nearly as the con-
ditions of good administration will war
rant, among other things provide for
open competitive examinations, practi-
cal in their character and relating
solely to matters which will fairly test
the capacity of the persons examined
| All offices shall be filed by the officer
| having power to appoint by selection
| fro.a among the three persons graded
| highest. Where practicable, vacancies
| shall be filed by promotion. Promo
| tions from the lower grades to the
| higher grades in the classified civil SER
| vice shall be on the basis of merit anG
| competition, and in appointments to al
| grades above the lowest due credit
shall be given for good conduct anG
| efficiency in previous service. Prefer.
ence shall be given to those applying
| for original appointment Preference
| in appointments and promotions shal
be given to those applicants who shal
have served in the army or navy of the
| United States and have been honorably
| discharged therefrom. Non-competi,
| tive examinations shall be held in al
| proper cases, when competent persons
do not compete. Examinations of la,
| borers shall be as to their capacity fol
labor, their habits as to industry anC
sobriety, and their experience in tn,
kind of work for which they apply.
1t will be perceived that the forego
ing measure is simly an expression o
business-lke common sense as applied
to the public service. The time is ripC
for its enactment and also for it,
| courageous enforcement.