The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-12-08
AS TO CIVIL SERVICE AFFAIRS.
Reasons for the Prom lgation OF the Or.
der of May 80, 1899.

| Reasons for the Prom ulgation OF the Or.
| der of May 30, 1899.
OF the order exempting certain civM
! 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
| illusions 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 20.
1899. The principal purpose of the or
der was to exempt from competitive en-
animation certain places involving
fiduciary responsibilities or duties of a
strictly confidential, scientific, or execu-
tive character which 1t was thought
might better be filled either by nom
competitive examination or in the dis
erection Of the appointing officer than
by open CO. 71it.,rI1. These places
x ,ls compa IL lew In number. The
ordcr pr the filling or much
larger -4-inDer of places mainly IN tho
outside service of the war department.,
by what is known as the registration
system, under regulations to be ap-
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 a more efficient 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 civh
service system is relieved of many OBJ
jectionable features which heretofore
subjected ii to just criticism and the
administrative officers to the charge or
unbusinesslike methods in the conduct
Of public affairs. 1t is believed that the
merit system has been greatly strength
ened and it's permanence assured 1t
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
office. 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 us. Aiming only at the public
good, we cannot err. A right inter-
probation of the peoples will and of
duty cannot fail to insure wise meas
ures for the welfare OF the islands,
which have come under the authoritys
OF the United States, and inure to thei
common interest and lasting honor oil
our country Never has this nation hedt
more abundant cause than during thel
past year for thankfulness to God for]
manifold blessings ana mereies fori
which we make revereat ACKNOWLEDGE
ment.
Tsigned1 "wII,LrAM M'KINL.BY.
Executive Mansion, Dee. D. 1885"