The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-02
CIVIL SERVICE WORK
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE COMMISSION IN THE HANDS
OF THE PRESIDENT
rs UNUSUALLY INTERESTING

IN Addition to Remarks ON ELL
cheney and Economy in the serv-
ice, the Report Deals with Condi-
lions Growing Out of the Recent
War, and Makes Suggestions for
Control of New Territories.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-The fifteenth
annual report of the civil service COM
mission, under date of Nov. 1, 1888, has
been presented to the president. The re-
port Is an unusually interesting one,
especially as it shows a larger number
of appointments through examinations
than ever before in the history Of the
Commission. The remarks of the COM
mission on the subjects of efficiency and
economy in the service, temporary ap-
pointments, and check upon legal appoint
ments are especially timely. Consider
able space is devoted to a review of the
action Of the department of justice in
regard to appointments to the positions
Of office deputy marshals and clerks to
United States attorneys, and to the treas
ury department. attitude in the matter
Of he Appointment of deputy collectors of
internal revenue. There is also q very
interesting discussion of the general prin-
ciples which should govern appointments
to the civil positions in our newly ac-
quired territory. The commission calls
special attention to matter which it has
compiled showing the IDEAS of the franz
ers of the constitution regarding the
proper exercises of the power of appoint
rnent and removal and the action taken
By each of the presidents.
SPANISH MISRULE.
In opening it's report the commission
calls attention to the elimination Of
Spanish misrule in Cuba, Porto Rico, and
the Philippines during the year, which
most strongly emphasizes the value Of a.
strict adherence to a merit system In
governmental administration. The case
of Spain presents most striking example
Of the legitimate fruit of the patronage
system in the selection of government Of
ficers and employees. The logical issue Of
such a system Of appointments must in
evitably be corruption and misrule under
any form of government.
During the year the classification Of the
entire customs service has been accom-
plished and many postoff1ces brought
within the provisions of the civil service
law and rules by the extension Of the free
also, that the various state and munich
pal governments have made correspond
ing degree OF advance.
Some differences have arisen between
the commission and the officers Of certain
departments as to the enforcement Of the
civil service rules Most Of these mat
ters have been adjusted satisfactorily and
with benefit to the service Experience
has fully proven III all cases that the
highest degree Of efficiency, economy and
good administration is secured by the
strict enforcement of the civil service act
and rules on the part of public officers.
The total number of persons examined
during the year was 5,712, Of whom 3d.
600 passed. This was a decrease Of $685.
in the number who did not pass, as COM
pared with the previous year. In the de-
partmental branch of the service 2,100
persons were appointed through educa-
tional examination and 1885 through the
UNCONVENTIONAL or registration examina-
lions. Two hundred and two persons
were appointed in the custom houses
2,75S in the postofices, 229 in the internal
revenue offices and 225 in the government
printing office. The commission also is
sued certificates for the reinstatement of
1,1S3 persons during the year.
RULE OF REMOVALS.
In speaking of the rule requiring that
statement Is made that this rule-after a
full years operation has met the hearty
approval of the public and Of most Of the
executive officers Of the government. It
was feared by some officials that resort
to the courts under this rule might prove
an embarrassment to the service but this
fear was promptly dispelled, as the courts
uniformly declined to take cognizance of
its provisions, and held that punishment
for its violation rested solely with the
president, on the ground that this rule
was not one of those which derived their
efficacy from the civil service act The
administration Of equitable promotion
regulations reinforced by a just discrim-
ination in removals under this rule, must
necessarily promote the betterment Of
the public service.
The question Of the apportionment of
appointments at Washington among the
several states and territories according
to population is carefully discussed, and
attention called to the fact that REIN
statements and transfers are equally
chargeable, under the law, as appoint
ments to the states in which the persons
who are transferred or reinstated claim
legal residence.
IN NEW TERRITORIES.
In discussing appointments in our re-
Gently acquired territory, the following
language is used:
It will not be a satisfactory discharge
of our duties to give simply a better gov
eminent to these Islands than the gov
eminent which we replaced, but we
must give a government equal to the
best The commission thinks 1t proper
to publish in the appendix to this report
an authentic account of the colonial gov
ernments. We will learn the following
valuable lessons from study Of these
governments:
''First-That they are not disturbed by
political changes in the home govern
ment, the tenure being determined by
good and efficient service only.
''Second-That the men sent to govern
colonies are selected because of special
fitness and are promoted, generally from
the smaller colonies to the larger, after
demonstrating ability to deal with diff
cult problems.
''Third-That the officers charged with
the collection of revenue, both internal
and customs duties, are promoted to
those places after faithful and efficient
service in the minor grades, and are
enever appointed as reward for political
services at home; that the clerkShips in
the customs and other services are filled
by open competitive examinations; that
the pay is commensurate with the duties
performed, and that persons in the colon
ial service abe prohibited from engaging
in business enterprises in the colonies"