The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-17
THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A CAREER

The annual report of the chief exam
liner OF the Civil-service Commission con-
tains information regarding the chances
Of obtaining government positions under
the civil-service law that should be in
teresting to those who contemplate making
the effort. AS a life employment or bust
ness career the government service does
not offer great attractions to capable and
ambitious young men, and yet it does offer
some. A permanent position with a salary
of from $1,000 to $500 year, with occa-
sional promotions TO higher grades. and
with light work, convenient hours pleas
ant associations, and thirty days vacation
with pay each year is not a bad provision
for man of moderate desires. The draw
backs need not be enumerated, and If they
were much more numerous than they are
they would not stop the endless caravan of
young men seeking government positions.
large majority OF those who succeed
in getting them would probably do much
better in the long run by engaging in
some private business.
The report referred TO shows that the
number OF classified positions in the civil
service, that is positions which are only
filled after competitive examinations of
applicants. is about 100000 That so large
a number of places should have been re-
moved from the spoils field, where they
were formerly filed by personal influence
or political pull and brought under the
merit system is a great gain for good gov
eminent. II must not be supposed, how
ever. that all who pass the examinations
are sure Of speedy appointment. There is Of
ten a period of hope deferred long enough to
make almost any heart sick Sometimes
months elapse before any applicant knows
whether he has passed the examination
or not, and after that a still longer period
will probably elapse before he receives an
appointment. II is as true of government
officials now as in Jenerson's time that
few die and none resign. Vacancies are
OF rare occurrence, and after a person has
passed the examination and got on the
eligible list he must wait his turn for a
vacancy TO which he can be appointed.
Indirectly. the report bears testimony 10
the value of technical education. In the
government service. as in private life, the
young man who has mastered a spe-
cialty. who knows something out of
the ordinary stands the best chance of en-
ployment. Such persons are in demand
The report says that for males the best
opportunities are offered through the ste
biography and tyDewriting examinations.
Experts in these lines are sure of an early
appointment il they pass the examination,
but it must be remembered that such per-
sons are also in demand in private bust
ness by railroads and other corporations.
which pay better salaries than the govern
ment does and offer better prospects OF
promotion. other examinations the pass
ing of which is almost equivalent TO Sc
curing appointment. are those for civil
and electrical or civil and mechanical en-
| gineers; for examiner OF patents, a very de-
sirable position for young man. with op-
| portunities for promotion: for higher
mathematics and physics, qualifying for
appointment in coast and geodetic survey
| Persons who pass the examinations for
/ bookbinder electrotype fnisher electro
| type molder. pressman and stereotyper
stand a very good chance OF appointment
in the government printing ONCE, but the
supply OF ordinary eompositors exceeds
] the demand. Ability to write a good hand