The times., 1897-05-21
FRENCH SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
They Prepare for Every Public anu
Private Office.
How the Civil Service of France
Is Reerujfed-Great Need for
Technical Instruction..

The interview with Secretary Doyle, OF
the Civil Service Commission, on the sub
Ject of the establishment at Washington
of a great academy or college which should
bear the same relation to the civil service
Of the United States that the national
academies at West Point and at Annapolis
do TO the military and naval service oi
the nation, which appeared IN The Evening
Times OF yesterday, evoked quite deal
OF comment among the foreign delegates
to the Universal Postal Congress.
One OF the representatives, of France said
that the idea impressed him as particu-
larly good one.
The policy OF recruiting the civil SER
vice In France through special schools
had long been practiced with satisfactory
results Two conditions in the character
of the French had contributed powerfully
to this result-the great Capitalization and
increase of governmental activities, and the
specialization in the system of public in
struction The American youth attends
school and on the completion of his studies
determines in what direction ne will turn
his energies But, so difficult is it to
l
the French boy must as the earliest oppor-
tanIty made a selection OF the profession
he wishes to follow, and then direct all
his energies toward reaching his goal. y
AS result the system OF technical edu-
cation has received development I'M
equaled hy that OF any other country Of
Europe, switzerland possibly excepted,
and 10 an extent which it would take years
of growth for the English or American
technical schools TO equal There is not 4
trade, and one might almost say branch
OF trade, which does not have special
schools devoted 10 preparing students fur
its efficient prosecution. What is true
of private business / S also true of govern
nlent activities. The technical branches OF
government administration have been COR
sidered as professions, to be prepared for as
for any other profession
lone must have lived in France tu
realize the important part which govern
meut plays In the life Of the French pco-
Pile Not only has there been constant
development OF the duties usually per
formed 10y the central government, but
the domain of private business has been
entered, and numerous services have Leen
added To the state Political and social
conditions have led TO the assumption
OF the telegraphic, telephone and, in
part, the railway system Of the country.
Economic conditions have long caused the
French govern to busy Itself with
such important interests as forestry and
the cultivation of improved breeds OF DO
Inestic animals. Financial and other con-
siderations have led to the assumption
by the government of the manufacture
of salt, tobacco, matches, powder, salt
petre, special tapestry and porcelain pro-
ducts.
Enormous sums have been spent Of
late years on public improvements, roads,
bridges, and canals, and these improve
ments are made more directly by the gov
ernment in France than In the United
States. All this has not only required
great development OF the civil service,
but also the employment by the state Of
a large number OF men, OF whom a high
degree OF technical skill is required.
"Amonga people where government plays
such an important part as in France, and
where the government service necessarily
absorbs a not inconsiderable part OF the
workers of the country, the whole school
system must have In view, to a greater
or less extent, the preparation for this
service"