The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-06

Mr.. Landis from the Committee on Re-
| form of the Civil Service, has returned a
favorable report on the bill introduced in
the House by Mr. Cromwell, on January 10,
giving preference to honorabIy discharged
soldiers, sailors and marines in all ap-
pointments In the civil service of the
United States
The bill, as introduced, provides:
That in every executive department OF the
United States Government and in each and every
branch thereof, whether reached by competitive
or non-competitive examinations under the civil
service laws lin which the rules and regula-
tons affecting the shall PROVIDE. hon.
orably discharged soldiers, sailors, marines
who served as such between April IL. 1861, and
August Is. 1865. shall be certified and preferred
for appointment to and retention in employment
in the public service and for promotion therein
Age, loss of limb, other physical Impairment
which does not in fact incapacitate shall not
disqualify them, provided they posses the bust
capacity necessary to discharge the duties OF
the position involved; and persons thus preferred
shall lot be removed from their position except
for good cause, upon charges, and after 4 asar-
ing.
AS amended .se bill reads between the date
August 20, 1866 and the word SHALL"
as follows: "And first after the aforemen-
toned veterans Of the civil war, those hon.
orably discharged soldiers, sailors, or
marines who served in the recent war with
Spain or In the Philippine Islands, they
being otherwise qualified
The report On this bill says:
In the matter of the appointment OF
persons to positions in the executive de-
partments Of the Government: under exist
ing law, soldiers and sailors who incurred
disabilities in the service and who have
taken the civil service examination, are to
be preferred. Under the provisions of the
bill as reported this preference will extend
to and include all honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors. or marines who served as
such between April IL, 1851 and August
&c, 1865 and to those honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors and marines who served
in the recent war with Spain or in the
Philippine Islands. without reference to the
disabilities they may have incurred in the
service. Under the present law the right
Of preference is based upon disabilities IN
der the proposed bill the right Of prefer
ence is based upon the service and ability
OF the soldier, sailor, or marine who has
served during the time Of war and has an
honorable discharge.
1.-THE present law has given rise to
great deal of dissatisfaction among former
Union soldiers and sailors. for the reason
that the man who may have served only
one month or less. IL during that service
he incurred any disability. is given prefer
ence in the matter of employment by the
Government over the soldier or sailor who
may have served from the beginning until
the close of the war. enduring all the hard
ships and privations incident to that serv-
ice. but mourning no permanent dis
abilities. Your committee have thought
1t well to include those who served in the
recent war with Spain or in the Philip
pines being honorabiy discharged. giving
them preference first after veterans of the
civil war. The passage OF this bill will not
in any way affect the operation of the
civil service law, rules, or regulations with
respect to examinations for appointment.
Soldiers and sailors. under the provisions
OF this proposed law, who apply for posi-
lions. will be required, as now. to pass
the civil service examination. the prefer
ence applying only in the selection Of per-
sons from the eligible list.
1.-THE proposed bill also applies TO pro-
motions. as well as to appointments. and IL
passed, will prevent the removal OF any
soldier or sailor except for good cause and
upon charges and after hearing.
Believing that the discrimination which
the present law makes against the soldier
or sailor who has an honorable record of
service. but who was fortunate enough not
to incur any permanent disability Is
neither right nor just. your committee
therefore recommend the passage OF this
BILL