The times., 1898-01-22
THE CIVIL SERVICE INQUIRY
Chief Clerk Bailey Offers Two
Suggestions.
CLERKS TO BE In SIX GRADES
He Asserts That a Grouping of This
Kind Would Form the Basis OF a
Eihles Should Be Allowed to Renew
Their Eligibility for Three Years.

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The Senate Civil Service Committee
investigating the civil service question
had several witnesses before it yester-
day morning. The first was Samuel NJ.
Cart, of Iowa, former superintendent of
Indian schools. Mr.. Carts resignation
had been requested in order to make a
place for a man of opposite political
views. This, however, was before the
Indian school service had been placed
in the classified list. Since that time
Mr.. Cart has been unable to get rein
stated. Mr. Cart stated that he is a Re-
publican.
The next witness was Major Charles
W. Raymond, u. S. Army, Engineer
Department. stationed at Philadelphia.
IL answer as to the result of the ap-
plication of the civil service law in the
department of the service over which
he has charge. Mr.. Raymond said:
The district over which / have
charge has done great deal of work in
the past eight years, and a very large
sum Of money. probably averaging ST.
100000 a year has been expended in
that district, and | suppose we have
employed a force which is pretty large
considering that most of our work is
done by contract. / think / have had
on an average something over 100 en-
ployes in my department who came un-
der the civil service rules. We have
done a great variety of work. such as
extensive and rapid fortifcation work,
river and harbor improvements and
aty.s-
most anything that comes into an en-
gineer'S district.
when this law was first passed and
regulations were prepared TO carry it
out, / had grave doubts whether it
could be made to work in our depart
ment. My experience, of considerably
over thirty years in the service, made
me feel that the method of holding an
officer absolutely responsible for every
thing and giving him absolute power
over his employees was the only way it
could be made to work in our service.
We had never had any trouble from
political pressure. However. the law
was passed. and the regulations issued,
and it was the duty of every officer of
the Government to try to carry out
the instructions, and L find, so far as
my district is concerned. absolutely no
difficulty in the operation of the civil
service law, and / can say without hes
itation that so far as my personal con-
venience is concerned | would rather
have the present system than the one
we had before its adoption. The en-
ployes which have been certified to me
by the Civil Service Commission have
proved very satisfactory, and il is
great relief to have this work done for
me-"
In answer to a question as to his
opinion of the method of removals, re-
quring charges TO be made in writing
Major Raymond said, that he had had
no occasion to make removals. but he
did not think he should be required to
give any reasons for a removal. pro-
vided it did not injure the personal
character of the person removed.
Mr.. +. ID. Bailey, chief clerk to the
Chief Examiner of the Civil Service
Commission, again took the stand. AR.
Bailey had embodied in writing his
statements given at other times before
the committee in reference to improv-
ing the service. These suggestions
consisted in grouping the different
branches of the Government service in
six grades.
The first. or lowest grade. said he,
would be the mechanical trades, and
occupations for which little educa-
tional qualifications are required. but
in which skill and experience would be
the chief elements. The second, or
next higher grade. would include sub
ordinate positions, such as watchman.
messenger. elevator conductor, skilled
laborer and other positions requiring a
little education. The third would in
clude copyists. railway mail clerks,
postoffice clerks. and other positions
requiring a fair grade of education,
The fourth would include all clerical
positions in Washington and in Gus
tom houses, postoffices and other
branches of the service. in which first
class educational ability is required.
This class would include from 30 to 60
per cent of the present classified ser
vice The fifth grade would include all
executive positions, such as chief clerks
and assistant chiefs of divisions and
other positions in which executive abil-
ity is required The sixth grade need
not be higher than the others, but it
shall embrace all positions in which
special. scientific. professional, or tech
nical knowledge and ability are re-
quired.
"A grouping of this kind would form
the basis of proper examination sys
TEN and would also be the groundwork
of any promotion scheme which might
be adopted. My second suggestion is
that eligihles be allowed to renew their
eligibility 1or q pefiod OF at ledSt lnfte
years without denomination
Mr. Bailey also had suggestions for
the improvement of the internal or
ganization of the commission, suggest
ing that correspondence bureau. and |
the establishment of general reguia
tions SO as to do away with any dis |
cretionary powers of individuals. would |
be beneficial The committee adj |
iourned until Monday at 10 o'clock.