The times., 1898-01-12
TENDERS HIS RESIGNATION
Mr.. Rice Notifies The President
That lie Is Going 10 Retire.
THANKFUL FOR OOURTESIES
He Expresses His Appreciation To
Atr. Mthts,ley aud WISHES Well His
Effort 10 Maintain the Civil Serv-
ice Act, Which He Considers Es-
sential to Good Government.

William G. Rice rendered his resis-
nation to the President as Civil Serv-
/ ice Commissioner yesterday. This ac-
1 ton on the part Of Commissioner Rice
was not unexpected.
Commissioner Rice, in an interview
last night with Times reporter. said:
Il have resigned to take effect 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 adj
ministration in all its endeavors for
good government, and particularly ia
his declared purpose to maintain the
beneficial opei ations of the civil service
act
Relative to the recent work of the
commission / would say that since
May, 1885, when i succeeded Theodore
Roosevelt as Civil Service Commits
sioner, the codification of the rules and
the wide extensions of the classifica.
tion-two measures of constructive
work of far-reaching importance-have
been accomplished. In both Of these /
took the greatest interest and TO the
attainment of both devoted all my en-
ersies. Every citizen may feel a just
pride in their realization and the con-
sequent betterment of the public
service.
The codification of the civil service
rules deserves special attention in that
there are now but twelve rules, con-
else, simple and applicable 10 all serv-
ices. The basis OF a practicable and
just promotion system is embodied in
rule IL of these new rules, and in rule
u provision is made for keeping ac-
curate records of the whole executive
civil service, by which means in time
the cost and extent of this service will
be accurately known
THE rules as they formerly existed
were complex and confusing. They
We're nearly one hundred in number,
and every branch of the service was
conducted under different rules. Sep
arate sets of departmental, postal, Gus
toms, railway mail, internal revenue,
indian and general rules existed. Ii
was, in fact, difficult even for an eX-
pert to understand just what the rules
We're. Now, however, every official,
newspaper editor and citizen may cas-
lily know, if ne desires, what the system
is and readily comprehend any changes
proposed.
unanimous approval of the commission,
constituted then as now of Messrs.
Proctor, Harlow and myself. Except
in the amendment providing for hear
ing in cases of removal no essential
change has been made since their pro-
mitigation in 1896. i do not believe any
essential change ought to be made un-
less upon the recommendation Of those
who have had long experience with the
workings OF the classified service.
The extension orders of President
Cleveland, covering the Government
Printing Office inclusion on August 1,
1895, and the wider inclusions of May 6,
1896, were prepared with special care
and unanimously indorsed by the COM
mission. Each of the detailed classifi-
cations reported under such orders by
the departments has received the ap-
proval of the commission. 1t should be
remembered that the civil service act
forbids the classification of persons
merely employed as laborers, and no
such persons were covered by the ex-
tensions unless the statement of the
head of the department at the time was
in error. My observation of the prac-
teal operation of these extensions has
sd tisffed me that the work of the gov
ernment has been better and more eco
done under them than before
Absolutely no obstacle exists in any
part of the classified service to the re-
moval OF inefficient or incompetent en-
pioyes. Practically no difficulty of any
kind appears until it is desired to make
appointments or removals for merely
political reasons. Every person has a
better opportunity now than ever to
competency for the gov
eminent service. The government de-
serves 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.
Il am opposed to any backward step |
in the list of exemptions as they now |
appear in rule 6. l am convinced that |
Of any kind should be |
only after a demonstration of present |
physical and mental qualification. 1 |
believe in an examination at intervals |
to test the efficiency of every employe- |
If employees decrease in efficiency they |
should properly give way to those who |
better qualifications for |
the work to be performed. This is the |
practice in private business, and no |
just complaint can be made against |
such plan. Government salaries need
in order that the many able
men in government employ should be
paid. No great appropria-
tions. however, are necessary: in fact
appropriations can be lessened if gov
employees are compensated up
on the plan and more nearly at the rate
in outside occupations. a
proper adjustment of salaries upon the
basis suggested would be among the
greatest of future civil service re-
FORMS
Mr. Rice said that he expected to re-
turn shortly to his home in Albany. n.
T., and take up business interests that
demanded his attention.