Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-12-13
AS TO CIVIL SERVICE AFFAIRS
Reasons for tho PRONUNCIATION OF the Or
der of May 80. 100.

Reasons for the PRONUNCIATION OF the Or
der OF May 80. 400.
OF the oder exempting certain civil
service positions from the classified list
the president says:
1.-THE executive order Of May 6. 1896,
extending the limits of the classified
service brought within the operation OF
the civil service law and rules nearly
all Of the executive civil service not
previously classified. Some Of the in-
clusions were found wholly Illogical and
unsuited to the work Of the several de-
partments. The application of the rules
to many Of the places so included was
found to result In friction and embar-
rassment. After long and very careful
consideration 1t became evident to the
heads of the departments responsible
for their efficiency that in order to re-
move these difficulties and promote an
efficient and harmonious administration
certain amendments were necessary.
These amendments were PROMULGATED
by me In executive order dated May ~,
1899. The principal purpose Of the or
der was to except from competitive ex-
animation certain places involving
fiduciary responsibilities or duties OF q
strictly confidential, scientific. or execu-
tive character, which 1t was thought
might better be filled either by nom
competitive examination or In the dis
by open competition. These places
were comparatively few In number. The
order provides for the filing of much
larger number Of places, mainly In the
outside service OF the war department.
by what Is known as the registration
system. under regulations to be APP
proved by the president. similar TO those
which have produced such admirable
results In the navy yard service.
"All of the amendments had for their
main object q more eficient and salts
factory administration Of the system OF
appointments established by the civil
service law. The results attained show
that under their operation the. public
service has improved and that the civil
service system Is relieved OF many OBJ
jectionable features which heretofore
subjected 1t to just criticism and the
administrative officers to the charge OF
unbusinesslike methods in the conduct
of public affairs. It Is believed that the
merit system has been greatly strength
ened and its permanence assured. IT
will be my constant aim In the admin
istration of government In our new
possessions to make fitness, character,
and merit essential to appointment TO
ONCE. and to give to the capable and
deserving Inhabitants preference In APP
pointments."
The message closes as follows: Pre-
sented to this congress are great oppor-
tunities. With them come great respon-
sibilities. The power confided to us In
creases the weight Of our obligations to
the people. and we must be profoundly
sensitive OF them as we contemplate
the new and grave problems which con-
front U.S. Aiming only at the public
good. we cannot err. A right inter-
probation of the peoples will and OF
duty cannot fall to insure wise meas
ures for the welfare of the ISLANDS
which have come under the authority
OF the United States. and inure to the
common interest and lasting honor OF
our country. Never has this nation had
more abundant cause than during the
past year for thankfulness to God for
manifold blessings and mercies, for
which we make reverent acknowledge
ment.
fsignedl "wILLIAM MKrNLEY."
Executive Mansion. Dec. 6. 1892"