The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-05-01
REPORT OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION
Suggestions to Be Digested by
the Government.
Unjust Methods Of Promotion Re-
ferred to in Stout Terms.
Remedies for Some of the Existing
DiGicuIties-The Question of
Temporary Appointments.

Temporary Appointments.
The fifteenth annual report of the Civil
Service Commission, under date of Novem
Der ], 1898. has been presented to the Pres
ideut. The report is an unusually inter-
esting one, especially as it shows larger
number of appointments through examina-
lions 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 appoint
ments, and check upon illegal appoint
men;s, are especially timely, and will no
doubt excite general public interest and dis
cussion. Considerable 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 the United States attorneys, and
TO the Treasury Departments attitude in
the matter of the appointment OF deputy
collectors Of internal revenue.
There is also a very interesting discus
sion Of the general principles which should
govern appointments to the civil positions
in our newly acquired territory. The Com
mission calls special attention to matter
which il has compiled showing the ideas OF
the trainers Of the Constitution regarding
the proper exercise Of the power OF APP
pointment and removal and the action
taken by each of the Presidents.
In opening its report the Commission
says:
During the year the classification OF the entire
custom service has been accomplished and many
postoffices brought within the provisions Of the
civil service law and rules by the extension OF
J.. ftHU rnFa
also, that the various State and municipal gov
ernments have made corresponding degree OF
advance.
some differences have arisen between the Com
mission and the officers of certain departments
as the enforcement of the civil service rules.
Most of these matters have been adjusted salts
factorily and with benefit 10 the service. Exper-
fence has fully proven in all eases that the high
est degree OF efficiency, ecdnomy, and good adj
ministIation 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 45,712, of whom 30,6o0
passed. This was a decrease of 1853 in
the number examined and decrease of
5,9S5 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 educa-
tionsl examination and 2.336 through the
lions. Two hundred and two persons were
appointed in the custom houses 2,15S in
the postoffices, 229 in the internal revenue
Offices, and 225 in the Government Printing
Office. The Commission also issued GER
tiHcates for the reinstatement of 1913 per-
sons during the year.
Promotions.
On the subject of promotions the Com
mission says:
Without doubt very large number of promo.
tions in all branches Of the service are based
solely upon merit, but il is equally true that
Others made without Just regard TO the
fitness Of those who are promoted. Few things
can be more denioTalizing 10 the service than
the promotion Of incompetent employees over the
heads 0; those who have established their com
potency. Under the old patronage system the
approximation of employe and the conse-
queEt impairment of his usefulness rule did
not result in reduction removal unless he
unable 10 muster sufficient influence &c
retain his position.
The adoption of suitable rules to regulate pro
motions and reductions viii, in large measure
prevent the filling of responsible positions by
supeIannuated employees for when position 9nC
falary determined solely by reference 10 fit
ness responsible positions with large salarie
will no longer be filed by persons who hay,
been rendered inefficient by age, physical dis
ability, other cause. When such regulations
which are required by the civil service law, AZ,
tenure VIII have become dead issue
In speaking OF the rule requiring tina
removals must be for just cause, tn,
statement is made that this rule, after
q full years operation, has met the heart,
approval of the public and OF most of tbs
executive officers of the Government. i
was feared by some officials that resort Il
the courts under this rule might prove al
embarrassment to the service, but thi:
fear was promptly dispeiled, as the courts
uniformly declined to take cogniZance o.
its provisions. and held that punishment
for its violation rested solely with the
President, on the ground that this rul,
was not one OF those which derived theil
efficacy from the civil service act. Tn,
administration Of equitable promotion reg
ulations REINFORCED by Just discrlmina-
tion in removals under this rule, mus
necessarily promote the betterment OF tn,
public service
Temporary Appointments.
In referring to the authority for TEN
porary appointments, the report state
that
The purpose OF this provision seems clearly I
be 10 facilitate the execution of public bushes
by enabling the departments, with as little della
rs possible, 20 fill existing vacancies temperate
for which there eiigibles, pending III
execution Of the details necessary 10 securin
eligibles. II also contempstes limiting tempol
AIRY appointments without examination 10 CASE
where the public interest requires them In som
cases, however. appointing and nominating off
GERS have apparently failed to fully understan
the intent and purpose OF this provision Of th
rules and thus placed themselves in the attitud
Of not observing it. While the provision
temporary appointments is believed 10 be in tn
interest Of good administration when confined I
csses where the condition prescribed in the pre-
visions actually exist, yet it is equally manfes
that both from the standpoint Of the appoint
ing officers and Of the Commission temporal
appointment should never be made except whe
the public interest demands IL.
The civil service act declares that N
person shall be appointed TO occupy class
fled position except upon appointment Il
accordance with the provisions of tina
act. Under date of July %, 1896, tn
Comptroller OF the Treasury held, in refer
ence 10 temporary appointment:
Under this rule il seems quite clear that =
psyment could be made 10 the person enployc
hereunder until his appointment was approve
BY tie Commission
The Commission therefore argues:
IL seems only reasonable to infer from this d
cision to temporary appointment that no al
pointmeEt TO the classified service can be legal
made without certificate Of the Commission. ina
much as the law and the rules in pursuance Their
Of are explicit in the requirement that no al
pontment shall be made 10 classified positic