Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-19
Two Distinguishing Features.


out it
Two Distinguishing Features.
Two features of the Philippine civil serv-
ice act which distinguish it most conspicu-
ously from the federal act are % it's broad
scope embracing not only the officers Of
the general or central government, but also
those in the executive branch of the pro-
vincial and municipal governments, and ul-
umately including every officer and en-
ploye. from the heads of departments down
to unskilled laborers. and (2) its provisions
regarding promotions to be made upon COM
peutive examination from the lower to the
higher ranks including all positions except
the heads Of departments and private sec
retaries and members of the Philippine
commission. and in the case of heads of de-
paftmentS providing that they shall be Sc
lected by promotion from a class to be COM
posed of the first. second and third assist
ants to the heads of departments.
Skilled and unskilled laborers are selected
according to the priority Of their applica-
tlons, subject to such non-competitive ex-
animation as may be found practicable,
which may be limited in the discretion of
the board to an inquiry in regard to the
applicants capacity for labor, their habits
of industry and sobriety, and their honesty.
Preference in appointment after certifica-
ton by the board is given first to natives
of the islands, and second to honorably
discharged soldiers, sailors and marines of
Tie OH1lcQ States. 1UCTc mas DeGn no
criticism, either In the United States or
In the Philippines, Of the policy of such
law, which is evidence of the popular be-
lief that system of appointments based
upon merit is necessary to secure suitable
and honest government 1t was simply
question of continuing the system of ex-
ploitation which had led to the wreck of
the Spanish colonial government or of es-
tablishing a system of government for the
benefit of the governed somewhat similar
| to that which England had adopted for In
dia.
Participation of the Natives.
The natives Of the islands have abundant
opportunity to share In the administration
of their governmental affairs The salaries
of clerical and other minor positions are
not sufficiently large to tempt Americans
to compete, and yet they secure an ample
supply of competent natives. Appoin tments
of other than natives are confined to the
higher positions and are chiefly admnistra-
tive and technical, and for which, as yet
suitably qualified natives cannot be found.
The boards report shows increa Sc in
the number and kinds of examinations, ac-
counted for in part by promotions and by
additional appointments resulting from the
extension of the civil service law to the
provincial service and to policemen, fremen
and prison guards. About 100 different
kinds Of examinations are held annually. at
which about 1000 persons are examined.
OF these about one-half become eligible for
appointment. About 1.40O original appoint
ments are made, nearly equally divided be-
tween the English and Spanish-speaking
elfgib1eS, and about 900 appointments are
made by promotion or transfer, of which
many require examinations of a techni-
cal and scientific character. Roughly
speaking, therefore, of the 1000 persons eX-
amined, one-half receive appointment
Since the passage of the civil service act
on September II, 1900 about $50 persons
have been selected In the United States for
aL,,s, ,,,1
scientific positions. the majority of them
being persons transferred from the class
fled service of the United States. The re-
mainder, except those selected for judges
and heads or assistant heads of bureaus,
were appointed result of eXamina-
tons held by the United States civil service
commission at the request of the Philippine
board.
Provision for Promotions.
The board states that the provision for
filing the higher bureau positions by pro-
motion is an important and distinguishing
feature of the Philippine act, and adds,
"the federal civil service law has no pro-
vision comparable with this, which in
duces young men with excellent ability to
enter the lower grades. 1t means a per-
sonnel above mediocrity, and the establish
ing and main taining of an efficient civil
service in the Philippines" 1t asserts that
the effect of putting teachers in the claSsi-
fled service 'has materially raised the
standard of efficiency, and has resulted in
marked Improvement in the teaching serv-
ice." A
The government organization is in spirit
and form intended to operate distinctly in
the interest of the Filipinos, and their in
terests are carefully guarded. About the
same number of Americans and Filipfnos
are connected with the central service and
the municipal service of Manila, but the
majority of the higher and more RESPONSE
BILE positions must, for obvious reasons be
filled by Americans. In view of our own
failure in securing honest government in
cities it is interesting to note that politics
are divorced from municipal affairs in Ma
Mia, and that the city government Is
wholly business administration, free from
scandals and corruption. The examinations
have, 1t is declared, stimulated the study of
the Spanish language by English-speaking
applicants and of the English language by
Spanish-speaking applicants. They have
led to the opening of night schools devoted
to preparing Filipinos for examinations, and
have greatly advanced the cause of educa-
ton among the Filipinos. 1t is difficult to
find Filipfnos who are competent in the
trades and skilled occupations, but some
Improvement is reported along industrial
lines. The Filipino excels In the use of the
pen, and his work Is very satisfactory as a
copyist and in drafting where original or
constructive work Is not required.
In the Matter Of Salaries.
The Dutch pay their higher officials much
better salaries than we pay in the Philip
pines. but for the chief clerks and other
office employees of middle grades-not ma
tives-the salaries are about the same. The
natives in positions o. lower grades in the
Philippines fare better as to salaries than
their Malay brethren, either in the Straits