The Washington times., 1901-08-19

0 contributions from Government empioye,
| tor the furtherance Of political object!
| bu' points out that the protection which
has been thrown around them by the pro
visions of the law and rules, especial,
since re-enforced by the rule of July q
1897, prohibiting removals except Tor JUS
cause, and after full opportunity for de-
fence, should be sufficient check upon any
involuntary response TO- solicitations and
an ultimate encouragement to the prac-
tice of assessment and solicitation.
| Upon the subject of the publicity of tint
Commissions work and its records tbs
report says:
From its inception this Commission mas deem
| ed 1t wise 10 make every proper effort TO furnish
the public the fullest information practicabl,
concerning all matters connected with its work
about which it may be supposed there is gen
eral interest. With longer experience with the
workings OF the Civil Service law. this policy
of the greatest practicable publicity has been
carried further and further. may be notably
lnstanced in recent years by the opening OF
registers of eligibles. that all the facts con-
nected with appointments from these registers
may be made known TO all persons who are per-
sonally interested, and may be further il
| llstrated by the increased mass OF matter pub
| lislled each year in the Commissions annual re-
ports, giving details Of all important eases aris-
| ing and summary of the facts in minor cases
| 1t is believed that this policy, which has been
consistently followed is beneficial in its tendency
| TO allay suspicion, to cnectually mis-
| and to offer material check to violations of the
| law under the cover Of secrecy. Much of the OPP
! position TO the merit system and TO the work
| OF the Commission has presumably arisen from
| ignorance OF the methods pursued, and unques-
| ;ionaby the Commissions policy of publicity has
| brought about greater confidence in the honesty
OF the system.
In discussing the Philippine Civil Ser
vice act the report says:
| The two features of the Philippine Civil Ser
=
| from the Federal law are az its broad scope,
embracing not only the offices of the general
central government, bat also those in the execu-
tive branch of the provincial and municipal gov
| efnments, and ultimately including every officer
and enploye from the heads of departments down
to the unskilled laborers; and tz) its provisions
requiring promotions to be made upon competitive
examination from the lower TO the higher ranks
including all positions except the heads Of de-
partments and private secretaries of members of
the Philippine Commission, and in the case of
heads of departments providing that they shall
be selected by promotion fror class to be
composed OF the first second, and third assistants
to the heads of departments
Although several months have interviewed since
the passage of the Philippine Civil Service law,
little criticism has been made by the op-
ponents of the merit system in the United States
of the policy OF enacting such law for the
Philippines. This fact is evidence of popular
belief that system of appointments based upon
merit was necessary TO the establishment
by the United States OF stable and honest civil
government for the Philippine Islands II is
gratifying to note that the law contemplates
not only system Of appointments as a result
of competitive examination, but also a COM
plete merit service. and for this its trainers are
10 be especially commended. Bright, capable men
are given an incentive to enter the lower grades
by the assurance that promotion will depend
wholly upon demonstrated capacity, and that
even the highest offices may be attained in this
way without the necessity Of personal or poll
teal favor.
The Commission again presents recon- |
mendation that the force employed in the !
Library of Congress and in the offices of |
the Commissioners of the District of Co |
lunlbia be brought within the classified !
service by executive order, provided ii is /
found that this can be done under the /
provisions of the Civil Service act: If not, /
it is recommended that proper legislation |
be enacted to accomplish this result. This /
recommendation is in accordance with /
reports which have been heretofore made /
on the great desirability OF increasing the |
efficiency and stability of these two |
forces. The positions are of the same |
general character as those in the differ
ent departments. for which examinations
The appropriation act of 1897 for the Ii
brary of Congress provided that ''Ail per-
sons employed in or about said Library
shall be appointed solely with ref
erence to their fitness for their particu-
lar duties" The Commissioners of the
District of Columbia for the years 1897.
1898, 1899, and 1900 recommended that the
employees under their supervision be class
flied, the report for 1900 being as follows:
The Commissioners believe thoroughly in the
merit system OF appointments and promotions in
the District service which has been established
and maintained by the action of the Commits
sioners, but ought to have the formal protection
of an act of Congress. As the Attorney General
Of the United States has held that the President
is not authorized under the Civil Service act
TO extend the civil service rules over the Dis
he ar
to ask once more that Congress will pass
civil service act for the District OF Columbia.
Some systematic plan fer the employ
ment of unskiiled laborers is advised,
these positions may be filled by
persons who are competent and willing
to perform laborers duties and whereby
the practice would be discouraged of APP
pointing persons to such positions and
assigning them to clerical and other CHS
sified duty. 1t is pointed out that existing
laws should be amended to provide
for corps of pension examining surgeons
to take the place Of the present local
boards, such surgeons to he appointed
under the provisions of the Civil Service
law. Recommendations to this effect are
cited from the report Of three members
Of the Senate Committee on Civil Service
and Retrenchment, and by several PEN
sion Commissioner An argument is pre-
sented to show that the interests Of the
service require that Indian agents should
be appointed upon some system OF ascer-
tained merit and qualification.
The report goes on to state:
The experience OF the Commission during the
year under consideration in this report has serv-
ID to incite, il possible, urgent and
enphatic appeal for larger force Of employees |
md liberal appropriation for expenses
connected with its examinations and other work |
outside OF Washington. Not a single additional |
s:nploye has been appropriated for by Congress |
nce its session of 1sJ2-94. al which time thirty
TX additional clerks were provided for. The fol-
owing session increased the amount available
or travelling and other expenses outside of Wash
ngton from So 600 TO 81 800 which has not since
hen been added TO in any wav There are now
ully three times az many positions subject to
he Civil Service law and rules when the last
Increase in appropriation for employees was made,
nd the reasonable demands upon the Commission
or expenditure in its examining ind other work
outside Of Washington have increased in like !
alto, while the compleXity and detail OF the i
General work Of the Commission are several times
.reater than in 1891.
1t Is pointed out that the work of the {
Commission will be necessarily very ma :
erially increased on account of the OK =
ension of the Civil Service law and rules !
O Federal positions in the islands of Ha- | ,
vail and Porto Rico, and also 10y the or 7
er of the President directing the Com I
mission to assist the Philippine Civil Ser {
ice Board. upon its request, In the mat 9
er of holding examinations in this coun- | I
ry, ard in other ways. !
RFSCJFD nv a SISTER