The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-03
A COMMON-SENSE COMPETITIVE sYs-
TEN

IL may be unnecessary to say that the cor
respondent who approves of the views ex-
pressed by the Journal in regard to limited
period rather than life tenure in the civil
service is not in accord with it in regard
TO competitive examinations. That is an es-
sential prerequisite to entering any branch
OF the public service. Furthermore. it is
necessary to secure fair play fer all. I'm
der the old method of selecting clerks for
the departments, favoritism ruled. Men
who had Influence or what is called "a pull
with members of Congress could secure the
appointment of almost any person. Quail
hcation had nothing to do with the selection.
Not only political but personal favoritism
had control. The relatives of Democratic
congressman were appointed by solicitation
under Republican administrations. Only
such clerks as had friends in Congress could
be sure of retaining their places. The
change of q representative in the same
party put the clerks holding places by the
good will of the old member in peril. The
result was general incompetency. Men for
whom there was no place at home or who
had failed to be useful, were put into the
public service clerks and employees, ex-
cept il positions where experience was
necessary. The railway postal service and
the State Department were about the only
exceptions.
Under the rule of favoritism it came to be
generally believed that any man was quail
fled for subordinate position in the public
service-that in one of the most extensive
business concerns in the world men could
hold all the positions, which should require
intelligence, experience and good character
without positive qualifications of any kind.
That sentiment regarding positions in state
county and municipal governments seems to
prevail now. Men are aspirants who have
no qualifications.
The competitive system is essential, to the
end that all may have an equal chance for
public employment. 1t has been Endorsed
by Presidents Hayes, Arthur, Cleveland
and Harrison, and by nearly all the lead
ing members of their respective Cabinets
on the ground that it promotes the efficiency
of the public service The correspondent
referred to objects that many of the ques-
lions in the examinations are irrelevant.
Perhaps some of them are, but a careful
examination of the lists of questions pre-
pared by civil-service examiners justifies
the statement that the questions the correct
answers to which count the highest in the
examination, refer to matters connected
with the duties of the position. The man
who applies for a postal clerkshp should
be able to read writing quickly, to know
something of the geography of the United
States, the leading railroads in his locality
and the principal towns through which they
run. He should have sufficient general in
telligence to name contiguous States and
their capitals, since a man who has not
general intelligence shows that he cannot
acquire practical information. The person
who applies for a clerkship should be able
to show some knowledge of composition,
arithmetic, and Of the general affairs of the
country. Men employing subordnates in all
kinds of business requiring no more intelli-
gence and education than do the subordinate
positions in the government ascertain in
some manner the qualifications and the gen.
eral fitness O. applicants before they are
employed. Government should do the same,
and if "a majority of the people are not Of
that opinion it is because they have fallen
into the pernicious idea that anybody who
can secure an appointment is fit to do the
business of the people.