Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-08-02

Inent. In so far as political influences
dominates these departments, or con-
trolls the appointments and promotions
therein, to that extent will the service
be impaired Appointments aud promo
lions in these departments should de-
pend solely upon the relative fitness
and capacity, Of the applicants there
for. and there should be no other de-
termining factor.
The city government owes IL to the
people of the city to give an admins
tration that shall be i'll accordance with
with the recognized business pr!nci-
pies There should he no difference
between the service to be rendered
the city or the conduct of its affairs and
the service which conservative bust
ness man would require or the course
which he would pursue. The accom-
plish this The entrance into the scrv-
ice of the city should be as far as
practicable removed form political
influence.
II is my firm conviction that the
adoption of this ordinance will ma
tcrially Increase the efficiency of the.
service in the departments effected
and | am as fully persuaded that, il
1t should SO appear to you. it will re-
ceivc your approval
Respectfully,
S. Il. BUXTON, Mayor.
The Ordinance.
Tho ordinance enclosed with the
mayors message is given in full he
low:
An ordinance to provide for Il civil
service commission governing appoint
| mcnts and promotions in the police
| and ilru departments, for the city of
| Newport News, Va.
BE II ordained by the council for the
| city nf Newport News That the mayor
shall appoint three persons who shall
constitute and bG known as the civil
service commission of this city, one
| for three years, one for two years, and
one rur one year. from the time Of
appointment until their respective sue.
ccssorS are appointed and qualified +;
and in every year thereafter the mayor
shall, In like manner. appoint one per
| son MS the successor Of the commits
| SiUncr, whose term shall expire In
| that year, to serve MS such commissions
cra for three years and until his sue
ccSSur Is appointed nnd qualities. Two
commissioners shall constitute Il quo
rum. All appointments to said com
mission. both original ana To fill vacan
cics. shall br so made that not moro
than two members, IL the time of APP
lrointmcnt, shall he members Of the same
political party Each commissioner
shall, before entering upon the dutic:
of his office, take The oath prescribed
for municipal officers by The c0nsti
tuition Of this State.
The mayor, i'm his discretion. re
move any commissioners for incompc
tcncy, neglect Of duty or malfcasanc'
in Office. The mayor shall within tcI
days. report in writing amy such re-
mOval to the city council with his rca
sons therefore, Any vacancy In thu
Office Of commissioner shall bc lilct
hy appointment 10y the mayor
Tho provisions OF this nrdinanc,
shall relate to appointments and pro
motions in such departments. shall b
made after January |, 1906. except III
der, and according to this ordinance.
All applicants for appointment il
i said iiunnri nnnir -sN"ii .,s"ofr' 'ttT;Ttrihb
voters OF the city of Newport News
WIN specified limitations MS to rcs
ucncc, age, health. habits ami NOR,
character. All applications for pr,,mt
lions III said departments shall he sul
lcci to examination, which shall III
l'iibilc, competitive and free to nj
members Of The service In the rcsurr
i've departments. The examination
snail be practical In their charactc
ana shall relate To such matters n,
VIII fhirly ana adequately test the ro,u
i've Illness and capacity of the pcr
sons to be examined for the ,lischnrr,
OF the duties OF the service. or of In,
position, which they seek To enter. n,
questions, In any examinations. sbal
rcialc 10 political or religious opiniou,
Or affiliations Tho commission sbaI
prepare, conduct and control all OK
ailihations. The examination shall bt
irce from the Influence or partlcipa
non III any manner, either of the ap
pointing body or power. or of an,
person other than the commission
inc subject of examination and tho
rca,ivc weight given to each shall b,
hNcd ny such rules as the commission
may prcScrihc. regard being had to Tho
duties of the position sought.
inc commission may. in its i,tlp
mcht, require candidates to pass n
nnySlcal examination and TO he cor
tiiicd us qualified in such rcsncct 9th.
or before admission to examination
or before record on the eligible list or
nctorc certiflcatiOn for appointment. MS
inc commission may announce.
All examinations, except such MS rc.
rates to physical qualities. shall he In
wrltlng All papers upon which OK.
| atllilatlons arc to he written shall bp