The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-15
CIVIL SERVICE In 1897.
REPORT or THE COMMTSSIOy ON
THE YORK ACCOMpLIsHED.
The Five Years Preceding and Following
the Enactment OF the Lsw-The Rich
mond and Other Cases Investigated.

WASHINGTON, d. e.. February H.
The annual report OF the civil Service
Commission for the fiscal year ended
June 90, 1897. has been presented to the
President. IL begins with a statement 70
show that after an experience OF nearly
fifteen years the hopes OF the advocates
OF the civil service law have been largely
realized. In practice, the law has proved
TO be a constantly exerted and enecuvs
force In the direction OF economy. Con-
s.doiing the few changes in the service
unuei the merit system, and the wnoie-
sale removals under the patronage sys-
TEN, the economy and efficiency Of the
ono stand in striking contrast TO the eX-
travagance and ineinciency in the other.
BEFORE AND AFTER.
During the FIVE years preceding the
classification Of the New York custom
house there were 1913 removals. while TOT
the two years ended June Goth last there
we're but l0l removals and sixty res gna-
tions. In the entire civil service during
tho last five years at least 20 per cent OF
those occupying unciassihed positions were
removed while IN the classified COM
pctitive service not more than s per cent.
Of separations occurred. Since lSS tthe
year Of the organization Of the commis-
slon) the unclassined positions, which
have been subject to political control,
have increased IN number 81 per cent. ana
I'm cost g per cent. while the classlhed
nositionz subject TO examination have re-
NAMED at a standstil The large extern
sion of the civil service rules I'm May
1896 70 include positions hitherto
unclassifed. has, the report says
brought 20 light number OF 'un-
necessary positions. Quite a num-
Der OF these have been abolished as
matter OF economy.
The whole number or persons examined
during the year was igl45. OF whom &5s3
passed. The number OF appointments
was Abs.
The commission. the report says. mas
been steadily making SIS examinations
more practical. In examinations FOR cor
tain trades and other positions for winch
no scholastic tests have been deemed
advisable. the commission determined
relative fitness by a consideration OF the
clements OF experience and physical
ability.
THE PROMOTION SCHEME.
Discussing the question OF promotions.
the report says the Navy Department Is
the only department in which the pro-
motion scheme Of tho commission mas
been fully applied. Tho results there are
such as TO confirm the commission Ia It's
belief that the promotion system, based
upon the efficiency records, IS an abSo-
lutely practicable method Of carrying cut
the law. The reports OF the officers al
the New York navy yard are unanimous
in their opinion to the excellent enect
OF the application OF promotion reglla-
tf,,,e ar1 9lefgnov records 20 that ranch
Of the service.
The average age OF appointees 10 the
departmental service during 1877 was less
than twenty-cight and a half years. ara,
discussing the statistics bearing on TINS
question. the commission suggests taat
they afford no foundation for the charge
that the merit system tends 20 iead TO a
civil pension list
During the year Tho commission has
made "a number OF investigators where
violations OF the civil service law were
charged. 40 some OF the cases the
charges were not well founded; m others.
they were sustained. while IN a'l INC cases
the INVESTIGATIONS undoubtedly had a
beneficial effect on the service.
THE RICHMOND CASE.
Numerous Complaints nave been made
OF Illegal appOintme an the in;ciLal
revenue service IN uIsulCts where cJltc-
t0rs have been changed since the change
of administration. Investigations 9y rep
r.seutuuves- OF the commission have been
made al Pit,sburg, IA, NasaW.'e ana
knoxville. Tenn, AsheWlle, y. g., klch-
mond Va, Dallas, Texas, ana Baltimore.
Ald. In several OF the omces where clpu-
IS collectors have been removed ueie
were eusibios ON tho registers, cut ap-
polntmenls were made without eNdmina-
lion and without regard 20 the crIl SER
wee law and rules. The cOmmi5slJn tas
brought AN OF these cases 20 the alien
don of the Secretary OF Treasury. II
appears that the Treasury Department,
is deferring action on these recommend
lions pending a decision whether deputy
collectors IN the force OF which neary
AN of tho removals and appointments
nave been made, are properly subject 10
classification.
The attention OF the commission has
been called 20 a number OF alleged yi0-
lauons OF the civil service rules I'm the
Bureau Of tensions, IN the removal or
pension examining surgeons from about
twenty-five classified local boardg IN the
creation of local boards without eXamlna-
ton and In a number on removals. reduc-
tons and promotions In the bureau at
Washington All instances OF apparent
violations OF the civil service rules have
been referred 10 the Secretary OF the In
terror. Thus far the commission has not
been Informed as to the action CT the
department
In an Investigation had in November,
1897 at the Fort Peck Indian Agen y. the
evidence showed that three " the en-
plOyees were concerned M ievyng pplti-
cal assessments. The interior Derart-
ment has been requested 10 remove the
employees. and the case will be forwarded
10 the Attorney General tor criminal
prosecution.
During the year covered by this report
numerous removals have been made or
Office deputy marshals clerks In Office OF
United States Attorneys and guards m
the United States penitentiar' as-sn or