New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-01
CIVIL SERVICE REPORT.
COMMISSIONS FINDINGS SENT TO THE
PRESIDENT.
LESSONS DRAWN FROM SPANS FAILURES
OPPOSING TEMPORARY APPOINT
MENTs-MERIT SYSTEM FOR
ISLANDS ADVOCATED.

vy,ash,rc,or Anru &-The fifteenth annual re-
port of the Civil Service Commission unoe' oa'e
Of November !. 1895. has been presented 10 ."e
President. The report is an unusually interesting
one especially as It shows larger NUMBER OF APP
nontments through examinations than ever heiore
In the history of the Commission. The remarks OF
the Commission on the subjects OF EMERGENCY anu
economy In the service temporary appointments
and check upon illegal appointments are espeelahy
timely and will no doubt excite general public IN
terest and discussion Considerable space Is ue-
voted to a review Of the action Of the Department
Of Justice in regard 10 appointments to the places
OF office deputy marshals and clerks TO united
States Attorneys. and TO the Treasury Depart
ment's attitude in the matter OF the appointment
Of deputy collectors of internal revenue. There is
also an interesting discussion Of the general prn
cples which should govern appointments to the
civil positions in newly acquired territory Inc
Commission calls special attention TO matter which
II has comnled showing the ideas of the trainers
of the Constitution regarding the proper exercise
of the power of appointment and removal ana the
action taken by each Of the Presidents
In opening its report the Commission calls atten-
ton to:
The elimination of Spanish misrue In Cuba.
Porto Rico and the Philippines during the year,
which strongly emphasizes the value OF q
administration. The case Of Spain presents a
most striking example of the Legitimate fruit OF the
patronage system In the selection OF GoVerhinenh,
officers and empoyeE The Logical issHe Of s nor
ruption and misrule under any form OF govern
ment
APPOINTMENTS AND SAVINGS.
The total number of persons examined during
the year was 457l2 of whom $1,000 passed. This
was decrease OF 1859 in the number examined
and decrease of 1855 in the number who did not
pass as compared with the previous year. In the
departmental branch OF the service 200 persons
were appointed through educational examination
and 1896 through the -educational or registra-
were appointed in the custom houses, 2,7Ss in the
postoffices 229 in the internal revenue ofces ana
mission also issued certificates for the reinstate
ment OF 1.l53 persons during the year ,-
officials In charge Of collecting the customs duties
of the Government emphatcally stated that there
has been a saving of about one-fourth In the cost
G beT esae ' IS Correct this em alone shows
saving of nearly 100000 per annum The Commits
were conducted with the same regard for the Civil
Service law and rules as the customs service has
been a very large saving would also be shown In
the cost of collecting that part Of the revenue.
The Importance of the question of efficiency IN the
the aggregate of salaries annually paid to the off,
service sq is aPeaGy more S1 than so con-
sentative estimate, based upon official reports OF
ton of the Civil Service rlles. net saving in
salaries paid Of at least 10 per cent. or about
Si0O006O
In referring TO the authority for temporary APP
pointments the report states that:
The purpose of this provision seems clearly TO be
TO facilitate the execution Of PUBLIC business by
enabling the departments with as little delay as
which there are esiblcs. pending the execution
OF the details necessary to securing eligibes 1t Is
pontng Officers aSs sal and Of the Commission tempo
rary appointment should never be made except
when the public interest demands 1t.
Referring to the assignment of unclassfed per-
sons TO the performance OF classified duty. the
report continues;
The Commission therefore regards the assign
ment Of uncla ssied employees to the performance
Of classified duty as a very serious evil and ear
nestly recommends that such action may be taken
Will insure Its positive discontinuance
QUESTION OF APPoRTIoNMENT.
The question Of apportionment Of appointments
al Washington among the several States and Ter
ritories according to population Is carefully dis
cussed. and attention called to the fact that rein
statements and transfers are equally chargeable
which the persons who are transferred or rein
stated claim legal residence.
The report states that the positions of office deputy
nnarshas and oil clerks in the Offices of United
States attorneys were classified by the Department
of Justice under the order of the President Of
May g. 1895.
dered revoked by the President declared Illegal
by the AtorneyG General or other competent au-
thorfty the Commission Is compelled 10 treat them
as In the classified service.
The Commission urges it's need of increased force.
more suitable Office accommodations and refer
ence library, in order that Its work may be per-
formed with satisfactory degree of efficiency. ra
pidity and economy which is impossible under the
present conditions.
1t is recommended that the President direct the
classification of the force employed In the Library
Of Congress and the offices under the government
of the District of Columbia. provided that 1t Is de-
termined that he has authority under the law to
ssao In fhQQa a