Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-06
Frank M. Higgins Promoted
to Succeed Him.
AN IMPORTANT CHANGE
SURPRISE AT EFFICIENT OFF,
GALS RETIREMENT.
Record Of the New Chief Examiner Of
the Civil Service Com
mission.

years the Cnlef examiner Oh the Onlted
States civil service commission. has ten
dered his resignation to the President, to
take effect at once and will retire from
office at the close of business today. Mr..
Frank NJ Higgins has been promoted by
the President from chief of the examining
division to the position made vacant by
the retirement of Mr.. Serven :;
The announcement that Mr.. Server had
resigned came as a surprise to the host Of
people who have transacted business with
him in his official capacity. He has been
one of the most popular officials of the gov
eminent and has performed his arduous
duties in manner that left nothing to be
desired. 1t was learned today that in
April. before the Presidents departure on
his western trip, Mr.. Server presented his
resignation to the board of civil service
commissioners and it was forwarded to the
President
The office is a presidential appointment.
and Mr.. Roosevelt sent for Mr.. Server and
requested him as personal favor to re-
main in office. at least until he returned
from the west During the time the Presi-
dent was away the utmost endeavor was
used to pursuade Mr. Server to withdraw
his resignation. but to no avail. -:
He called at the White House the first
thing this morning and personally rendered
his resignation to the President. The lat
ter accepted 1t. but In doing so took occa-
sion to express his regret at Mr.. Servers
retirement from the public service and ex-
pressed his appreciation of the work of the
chief examiner during his incumbency of
the office.
MI. Serven's Resignation.
In presenting copy of his resigna ton
to the commission Mr.. Server said:
Gentlemen: You will find herewith q
copy of my resigna ton as chief examiner,
which has today been presented to the
President. to take effect upon the appoint
ment and qualification of my successor. in
order that l may return to the practice of
my profession
Il desire to express my very hearty ap-
probation of the courtesies which you have
extended in connection with this matter as
well as for all the consideration 1 have
received from the commission since enter
ing upon the duties of chief examiner
June &. 1896.
My experience of the past seven years
is filled with pleasant memories. AS 1 re-
view this period l fully realize that my
work has not been all that l could wish
for it. but 1 am satisfied that it has been
. accepted In the same honest and impair
tial spirit that l have endeavored to en-
pley in it's performance. The many sub
stantial tokens of esteem and confidence l
have received Snd the friendly atmosphere
that has enveloped my relations with the
commission have been of the greatest aid
and Encouragement to me, and any success
that may have attended the performance
of my duties Is largely attributable to these
conditions.
In terminating my official relations with
the commission permit me to say that
shall always take the keenest interest in
its work. which has already accomplished
so much for the triumph of good citizenship
and good government, and. trust may yet
accomplish still more for the development
! and perpetuation of the American system
of government. 1t will always be source
of much qualification to that l have
had some share in the prosecution of the
commissions efforts to improve our civil
service.
gentlemen. officially and. personally. and
for all who are associated with you.
Commissioner Procter's Statement.
On receipt of the resignation and of it's
acceptance by the President Mr.. John r.
Proctor president of the board of civil
service. commissioners. dictated the follow
ing statement to be entered upon the
records of the commission;
The commission learns with the SINGER
est regret of the resignation of Mr.. Server,
who leaves the service for the purpose of
entering upon the practice of law in this
city. He was formerly chief of the organ
ization division of the Office of the con-
troller of the currency. and on June 3. 1896.
appointed chief examiner of this COM
mission to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Major William H. Webster
training and his previous experience in the
Treasury Department peculiarly fitted him
for the duties of chief examiner of the
commission During his term of office he
has given special attention to the matter
or making the examinations of the COM
mission more practical in character and
better adapted to meet the needs of the
service, to the holding of the examinations
more promptly and at points most conven-
lent for applicants Since his appointment
chief examiner the nf
the commission has greatly increased in ex-
tent and complexity on account of the
large increase in the number of classified
positions, many of which are of a profess
sonal. technical and scientific character,
requiring careful study in the preparation
OF examinations to fill the vacancies.
The organization of local boards of ex-
aminers throughout the country has also
been largely developed under MIR. Seryen's
supervision, and it is due to his ability,
falthfulneSS and untiring devotion to the
principles OF civil service reform that the
work OF his office has been brought to its
present satisfactory condition. The COM
mission desires to testify to the energy,
zeal and ability with which he has dis
charged the difficult duties of chief ex-
aminer. and to extend to him it's best
wishes for the future"
Mr.. Server resigns from office to enter
upon the practice of law.
Promotion Of Mr.. Higgins.
The promotion of Mr.. Higgins by the
President to the position of chief examiner
is regarded as being in line with civil serv-
ice principles. because of his long and eff
Gent services with the commission He is
NJ tive of Tennessee and entered the gov
eminent service as a clerk In the War De-
partment in 1881. He promoted rapid
ly to salary of 81 400. and March q, 1889,
was detailed to the civil service commits
sion. In August 1880. ahe was transferred
to the rolls of the civil service commission,
and in 1894 was promoted to s1.SD and as
signed to duty as chief of the examining
division. In June. 1900, upon the request
of Governor Taft Mr.. Higgins was appoint
ed TO the Philippine Islands for the pur-
pose of organizing and establishing the
civil service law in those islands.
He accordingly resigned from the commits
sion and went to the Philippines. where he
became member and chief examiner of
the Philippine civil service board and final
1y chairman of that board. He remained in
the Philippines until the summer of 1902
when he was reinstated upon the rolls Of
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