New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-11
MUCH MORE COMPETITION.
WHAT THE NEW CONSTITUTION HAS
DONE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.

MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY PERSONS EXAMINED
LAST YEAR AS IN 1sa5-THE PRACTICAL
CHARACTER OF THE EXAMINATIONS
Albany Feb 10-Governor Black to-day received
the annual report of the State Civil Service Com
mission Although the Civil Service provisions OF
the new State Constitution went into effect on
January l. 1895. II not until early In the year
1895 that the courts decided that such provisions
were sef-executng. The full effect of these pro-
visions upon the magnitude of the examinations VIII
be seen from the following statistics The number
of persons examined In competitive examinations In
the year 1896 was $3.50 against $50 In 1885 S24 In
1894 and 56s I'm 1893. In no year previous to 1898 ala
the number so examined exceed 400. The number
for 1896 Is than the total for the first ten years
Of the history OF the Commission. OF those ex-
amined in 1896. 1855 were successful and had their
names entered the eligible lists. The number of
appointments after competitive examination in the
period 63 or in the ratio of about one APP
pointment three successful candidates. The larg-
est number of appointments after competitive ex-
animation in any preceding year was that for 1885,
when the number was 200.
or the non-competitive examinations the number
held under Schedule was 2l3. This number repro
sents those examined in the five months from Janu-
sry TO May, this schedule having been abolished In
that month. But the number examined In these
1--WE months was greater than in any preceding en-
tire year with two exceptions. The non-compeu-
tive examinations In Schedule - Increased from
1os2 in 1895 to 2s79 in 1886 This increase was due
principals to the addition to the State service OF
the Manhattan State Hospital and one or two
smaller institutions.
In its report the Commission says: While for
Civil Service advantages have been held and
progress made during the last year. embarrass-
ments have not been wholly wanting. Especially
has this been I'm relation to the Civil Service
clause Of The new State Constitution and our au-
thority under IL. That il manda tory upon us
to enforce its explicit provision that examna lions
In the State service should be competitive Wher-
practicable the Commission has never doubtef.
Ii has acted up 10 Its belief. But much confusion
word 'practca BILE being elastic has caused many
diverse opinions. Whether the power or decision
rests wholly with the Commission or otherwise
does not seem yet properly deilned by me court
interests of the State must suffer The Commits
sion has been acting under a statute that Getles
It's functions in great part advisory TO the Gov
ernor Even this position seems teopardlzed oy
the silence of the Constitution at least. II IS plain
therefore that until judicial decisions are obianeu
upon this vital constitutional matter or the Leg
islature adopts laws of recognized binding force
our embarrassments must continue. -
THE Commission simply desires 10 add It's re-
gret a the general popular ignorance or injustice,
or both done the Civil Service examinations de-
In instances given wholly false or garbled reports
Of the questions submitted to candidates Unfair
newspapers and the people have sought 10 create
the false impressions that questions asked were
teract these malicious and hateful statements, the
Commission not long since issued In pamphlet form
for general distribution specimen examination
questions OF previous examna tons. The exhibit
was such palpable refutation Of the statements
noted above that much good has been done by the
removal Of false Impressions