Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-08

or last !eal average, approaching
LOCO claims for each working dov. and
it is believed that the work of the bu
reau will be current at the close of thu
present fiscal year.
Extension of Civil Service Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
%, 566 persons We're appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 1867
more than during the preceding veal
and 40 per cent Of those who passed
the examinations. This abnorma
growth was largely occasioned by the
extension of classification to the rura
free delivery service and the appoint
ment last year of over 5000 rural car
riers. A revision Of the civil service
rules took effect on April Is last which
has greatly improved their operation
The completion Of the reform Of the
civil service is recognized by good citi
zens everywhere as matter Of the
highest public Importance, and the sue
cess of the merit system largely de
ponds upon. the effectiveness of the
rules and the machinery provided fol-
their enforcement. A very gratifying
spirit of friendly cooperation exists in
all the departments of the government
in the enforcement and uniform oh.
servance of both the letter and spirit
Of the civil service act Executive or.
ders of July 3, 1902: March 20. 1903,
and July g. 1903. require that appoint.
ments of all unclassified laborers, both
in the departments at Washington and
in the field service, shall be made with
the assistance of the United States
civil service commission under q sys-
tenn of registration to test the relative
fitness of applicants for appointment
or employment. This system is COM
petitive and is open to all citizens of
the United States qualified in respect
to age, physical ability. moral char
acter, industry and adaptability for
manual labor, except that in case of
veterans of the civil war the element of
age is omitted. This system of APP
pointment is distinct from the classified
service and does not classify positions
Of mere laborer under the civil service
act and rules. Regulations in aid there
Of have been put in operation in sew
eral of the departments and are being
gradually extended in other parts of
the service. The results have been very
satisfactory, as extravaganza has been
checked by decreasing the number of
unnecessary positions and by increas-
ing the efficiency of the employees re-
naming.
District of Columbia Charities.
The congress as the result of thor
ough investigation of the charities and
reformatory institutions in the District
Of Columbia, by Il joint select commit
tee of the two houses which made its
report in March, 1898, created in the
act approved June 6, 1900, board of
charities for the District of Columbia.
to consist of five residents of the Dis
trict appointed by the president of the
United States, by and with the advice
and consent of the senate, each for a
term of three years, to serve without
compensation. President Mckinley ap-
pointed five men who had been active
and prominent in the public charities
of Washington, all Of whom upon tax
ing Office July /, 1900, resigned from
the different charities with which they
had been connected. The members Of
the board have been reappointed in Sue
cessive years. The board serves under
the commissioners of the District of
Columbia. The board gave it's first
year to a careful and impartial study
Of the special problems before it and
has continued that study every year
in the light Of the best practice in pub
lie charities elsewhere. It's recon-
in its annual reports to the
congress through the commissioners Of
and efficient administration of
the charities and reformation of the
District of Columbia" as required BE-
the act creating it, have been based
upOii thC PIiAAeipioo w tlN
joint select committee Of the congress
in it's report Of March, 1898, and ap-
proved by the best administrators of
public charities and make for the de-
sired systematization and improve
ment Of the affairs under its super
vision. They are worthy Of favorable
by the congress.
The Army.
The effect of the laws providing a
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent Great improve
ment has been made in the efficiency
Of our army in recent years. Such
schools as those erected at Fort Leaven-
worth and Fort Riley and the institu-
ton Of fall maneuver work accomplish
results. The good effect
Of these maneuvers upon the national
guard is marked, and ample anpropria-
ton should be made to enable the
guardsmen Of the several states to
share in the benefit. The government
should as soon as possible secure suit
able permanent camp sites for military
in the various sections OF
the country. The service thereby rem.
dered not only to the regular army,