The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-22

fireman, Waterman and janitor, as well as
various positions included in the mechan-
cal trades, are filed in this way. Only 6
per cent. of the classified positions are
subject to technical examinations requir-
ing special or technical knowledge, in ad-
dition to a general education, such as
patent office examiner, stenographer and
typewriter craftsman and nautical ex-
pert.
This leaves "a per cent. OF the positions
in the classified service which can be filed
acceptably by persons who have received
a good common school education which is
a surprising showing in view of the mis-
leading statements that are frequently
made in regard to the character of the
commissions examinations.
During the year 1886 persons were ex-
amined for all branches of the service. an
increase of 244 over last year. OF this
number 35,6S2 passed and II ,24 failed.
Cases of Investigation.
The total number of appointments made
during the year on certificates of the
commission was 9,056. In addition. S.724
appointments were made from different
medical examinations TO various branches
of the service. Certificates were also is
sued for promotion, through examination,
to seventy-eight persons, for reinstate
ment of 76s, for transfer of SOC from differ
ent positions, making 1913 persons ap-
pointed, promoted, reinstated and trans
ferred upon certificates of the commission,
The report contains statement of the
work done by the commission during the
year In investigating charges of VIOLA
tions of the civil service. act and rules
A serious case of fraud in an examna-
ton at Nogales, Ariz., is mentioned,
the Investigation of which resulted in the
removal from the service of the parties
implicated. Reference is also made to
the. results of the commissions investi-
cations of charges of political assess
meents. in which connection attention is
called in extracts, In the appendix to
the report, of debates in congress at the
time of the passage of the civil service
law, as tending to show that 1t was the
intention of congress to prevent eolicita-
tons. either in person or in writing of
persons in the publis service; and also to
prevent members of either house of con-
gress and persons in the public service
from soliciting other positions In the pub
lie service either directly or indirectly.
The commission discusses the question
of providing retirement of superanuated
employees.
Small Per Cent. of Removals.
Gratifying progress is shown in the re-
remarkably small per cent. of removals
vice. The order of the president of July
"a, 1897, preventing removals from COM
and requiring that the reasons for re-
moyals shall 1e given in writing and
made a part of the records of the office,
has had most salutary effect.
Inc commission contrasts the small per
cent. of removals from the classified SER
vice with the large per cent. from the
unclassifed service and makes this sig
niticant comment: "If the removals from
the unclasslfed positions We're made be-
cause the occupants were incompetent,
1t was u condemnation of the system I'M
der which they We're appointed. On the
other hand, If the removals were made
for other reasons than unfitness the well
fare of the service could not have been
the basis for such action"
From the figures the conclusion must
be drawn that either the persons brought
in through examination are far more ef-
iicient than the others ur the removals
from the uncasshed positions have been
made for other cause than the good of
the segyicA !.