Evening star., 1898-01-05
s. DESIRED.
Iot1
Secretaries Gags and Wilson Discuss
the Civil SeHioe Classification.
BELIEVE qHAf 55lf;sB II; TOO EXTENSIVE
Places WhicKR55 They Hold Should
TO- L
Be Exempted.
TIL EIR RECOMMENDATIONS

|
| Several heads of departments transmit
| tea TO Congress today their views regard
| ihs desirable amendments to the present
| ciVil service rules The reply of Secretary
| Hase Oh the treasury was as follows:
| 10 the Senate of the United States:
| . nave the honor to acknowledge the re-
| celpt OF the following resolutions, passed by
the Senate December 1S 1897:
| Resolved, That the heads of the several
executive departments, respectively. he a.,
rected to inform the Senate what appoint-
I've positions, If any, in their respective de-
partments should. in their opinion, be ex-
cepted from the operation of the laws gov
ern'hs the civil service or the rules estab-
lished by the civil service commission: and
further,
Resolved, That the said heads of The
several executive departments. respect,veIv
De directed to inform the Senate what
changes or amendments to the present civil
service rules seem to be desirable, as indi-
Gated by their experience
1T cannot be denied that the large nuno
Der OF places brought into the classified
service by the executive order of Nav 6.
1876. have added many difficulties to the ad-
ministration of the law. That sweeping
amendment to the rules brought into the
list Of classified places every position to
Wnlch the Secretary makes appointment in
tHe treasury department, eXceDt two clpr-
1cal places and the mere laburers and char
women. In framing such an inclusive or.
der 1t is not surprising that places have
been brought into the classified service that
ought not to be there. At the time eyery
position in this department was brought
within the classification the best friends of
the merit system had the situation been
examined more carefully, would probably
have admitted that the classification should
not be complete Now, after an experience
of nearly two years, 1t is shown conclusive.
ly that there are positions which were clas-
sified by this inclusive order that should,
for the best interests OF the service and for
the best interests of the merit system be
made excepted places, although still SUBJ
ject to non-competitive examinations.
Il believe that experience has taught that
the order of May g. 1886 was too sweep:ng.
and that there should be taken out of the
classified service d considerable number of
places that were at that time classified.
The most important of those places are in
the internal revenue service. The difficult
ties which the department has experienced
in the administration of the rules as they
now exist. as applied to the internal rev.
enue service, have become intolerable
believe that all positions of deputy collect
ors of internal revenue should be made ex-
cepted places, subject, however to non
competitive examinati tons. The collectors
who appoint the deputies are personally
responsible for the conduct Of their SUBJ
ordinates. This responsibility covers not
only the fidelity and integrity of those sub
OFQlnaCeS IN lnelr relation 10 the govern
ment-but extends. to- personal liability
to those who may be injured in person or
in property by inconsiderate malicious
trespaSs committed by such subordinateS in
the course of their duties. 1t Is obviously
wrong that collector, after assuming the
heavy responsibility that he does, should be
tied down to an eligible list (the names on
which he may know nothing about, from
which to select bis subordinates. each of
whom is officially his other self There is
no desire on the part of the department to
make the test Of fitness in the smallest
degree less searching than it is under the
system OF competitive examina tIons, but l
believe that it is desirable that the collect
ors be free to select their subordinates
within the lines which a rigid test of fit
ness Will permit. from among men concern
ing whose personal characteristics and in
tegrity they have knowledge.
IH-Advised Cla..ificntiou.
Another branch of the service where
experience has demonstrated that classif-
cation was ill-advised is the custodian SER
vice in the public buildings throughout the
country. There are in this service a large
number Of low-salaried positions where no
academic test is required desirable. The
service covers the entire country. 1t fre-
quently happens that a vacancy occurs
without there being a proper eligible list
and the delays and restrictions following
the making of temporary appointments, the
holding of examinations, the displacement
of the temporary appointees and the final
installation OF a properly certified person
have BEEN distinctly detrimental to the SER
vice. 1t is the experience of the depart
rent that the character of the service has
been in no wise improved, while the delays
and restrictions which have followed
strict administration of the law have been
extremely vexatious, without bringing any
corresponding advantages. l believe that
1t would be of distinct advantage to take
all positions in the custodian force, includ-
}vf nla ofrr ,1,,of
tenders and employees of a similar charac-
ter. out Of the classified service.
THE employees of the light house estab-
Eshment have been under civil service rules
since May g. No improvement has result
ed. but on the other hand vexatious delays
have occurred in filling vacancies which,
fortunately. SO far. have not resulted in
serious disaster. The clerical force ALWAYS
small, out excellent might advantageously
remain under the classified rules of the
civil service. But for all other employees,
the best interests will be conserved by re-
moving them from the classified service
ard as hitherto with marked success, be
placed absolutely in the hands of the in
spectors and engineers of the various dis
tricts. subject as before, to the approval of
the light house board and that of the Sec
retary of the Treasury.
1.-The position of the counsel before the
board of general appraisers should, in my
rules. The position requires the services Of
a specially trained lawyer. ana no exami-
nation which can be prescribed is an ade-
quate test Of the fitness Of ain applicant.
There Is also position in the New
York custom house known as paymaster.
The duties Of the place require the hand
ling of large amounts of cash. The COL
lector is responsible for the safety and
proper distribution Of this money, and the
same reasons which operate to EXEMPT
cashiers and deputies having financial re-
spor sbility apply to this position.
Other Exemptions Favored.
81 would also Ibxehdpt the positions Of
shipping commiss!iHbner,at the various ports