Evening star., 1898-01-12
GROWTH OF CIVIL SERVICE
Commissioner Rice Discusses Changes Dur
ing His Incumbency.
COdificatiOn of Rules and Extension
Cleveland's .'Blanket" Order.

AS stated exclusively in The Star Mon
day. Commissioner Rice of the civil service
commission has resigned his position. The
resignation was placed in the hands of the
President on the 9Th instant. Yesterday
Commissioner Rice said:
"Since The Star has printed the fact Of
my resignation, l have objections to
| confirming it. 1 have resigned to take ef-
feet upon the appointment of my successor,
and have expressed to the President my
appreciation Of his courtesies during our
brief official association, with my best
wishes for the success of his administra-
ton in all its endeavors for good govern
ment, and particularly in his declared pGr-
pose to maintain the beneficial operations
of the civil service act.
Relative to the recent work of the COM
mission, 1 would say that since May, 1S93
when l succeeded Theodore Roosevelt as
civil service commissioner, the codification
| of the rules and the wide extensions of the
classificatlon-two measures of constructive
work of far-reaching importaGce-nave
been accomplished. In both of these took
| the greatest interest, and to the attainment
| of both devoted all my energies. Every
citizen may feel just pride in their real
| izatior and the consequent betterment of
| the public service. The codification OF the
civil service rules referred to above de-
serves special attention, in that there are
| now but twelve rules. concise, simple and
! appllcaDle 10 all services. L ne OASIS OF q
practicable and just promotion system is
embodied in rule XI of these new rules, and
| in rule XII provision is made for keeping
accurate records of the whole executive
civil service, by which means in time the
| cost and extent of this service will be ac-
curately known.
CodiGcatiOn of Rules.
1.-The rules, as they formerly existed,
| were complex and confusing. They were
nearly one hundred in number, and every
branch Of the service was conducted under
different rules Separate sets of depart
mental, postal, customs, railway mail, in
ternal revenue, Indian and general rules
existed 1t was, in fact difficult even for
en- expert to understand just what the
| rules were. Now, however, every official
newspaper editor and citizen, may easily
know, If he desires, what the system is
| and readily comprehend any changes pro-
uosed.
"The rules as finally codfied had the
unanimous approval of the commission,
constituted then, as now, of MeSSrS. Proc
| ter, Harlow and myself. Except in the
amendment providing for hearing in cases
of removal, 10 essential change has been
made since their PRONUNCIATION in 1896. /
| do not believe any essential change ought
to be made unless upon the recommended
ton of those who have had long experience
with the workings of the classified service.
President Cleveland's Order.
'"The extension orders of President Cleve-
| land covering the government printing
| cffice inclusion on August 1, 1895 and tn.
wider inclusions of May 6, 1896. were pre-
pared with special care and unanimously
| ndorsed by the commission. Each Of the
| detailed cassifications reported under such
| orders by the departments has received the
| approval of the commission. 1t should be
| remembered that the civil service act for
bids cla SSifiI n fion of
employed laborers, and no such persons
| were covered by the extensions unless the
| statement of the head of the department al
the time was in error. Ny observation OF
the practical operation of these extensions
has satisfied me that the work of the gov
| crnmcnt has been better and more econom-
! iCally done under them than before.
Absolutely no obstacle exists in any
part of the classified service to the removal
| of inefficient or incompetent employees.
| Practically no difficulty of any kind appears
until it is desired to rake app0in, merits OF
| removals for merely political reasons.
Every person has better opportunity now
| than ever to demonstrate competency for
the government service. The government
| deserves the best service. and by no other
method can it come SO near getting the
| best as by the absolute enforcement of the
| civil service rules.
Opposed to Exemptions.
| Il am opposed to any backward step in
the list Of exceptions as they now appear
| in rule vi. l am convinced that reinstatu-
| ments Of any kind should be only after 4
demonstration of present physical and
mental qualification. l believe in an exam
| ination at intervals to test the eff iency of
| every employe. If employees decrease in
| efficiency they should properly give way to
| those who demonstrate better qualifications
| for the work to be performed. This is the
practice in private business. and no just
| complaint can be made against such a plan.
| Government salaries need adjustment Ii
order that the many able men in govern
| ment employ should be adequately paid.
| No greater appropriations, however. are
lesssened If government employees are COM
pensated upon the plan and more nearly
at the rate prevailing in outside occupa-
tfons. proper adjustment of salaries
upon the basis suggested would be among
| the greatest of future civil service reforms.
to Sl,o L. to,