Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-08
WARNER PROPOSES
STATE MERIT PLAN
cNu SERVICE COMMISSION BILL
INTRODUCED.
IN LINE WITH SENTIMENT
LEGISLATORS Likely to Enact Some La"
in This Direction at Present Ses-
sic New Bill Voluminous and
Carefully Drawn-Nould Eliminate
Much Patronage.

A comprehensive plan for a system
of state civil service appointments By
merit is contained in a bill introduced
by Assemblyman Warner in the lower
honst. of the legislature yesterday. He
proposes TO establish a commission TO
examine applicants for state employ
ment and require that appointments
he made on the sole basis OF merit.
There is much favorable sentiment on
this subject in the legislature and Il;
seems that some action in this direc-
tion win De taken by the present leg
isIature, although IL is conceded that
many amendments viii be made in
the present bin before it is passed, II
ar all. The essential features @. the
bin are as follows:
Tire Sill in Part
aT1I the passage OF this act. az
pointments to, promotions and reduc
tons in. and removals from. the civil
service of this states ha,I be ma2e only
according 10 merit and fitness, to be as
csrtained as far as practicable by eN-
aminatious. which SO far IS practicable
shall be competitive. After the eXpl-
ration of six months from the passage
OF this act, no person shall be apo Mt
ed, transferred. removed, reinstated,
promoted Or reduced as an officer,
clerk, employG or labOrer in the civil
service under the government of this
state, in any manner, or by any means,
other than those prescribed IN this act.
The governor shall APPOINT three per
sons to serve, one for six years; one
for four years, and one for two years.
as civil service commissioners, and the
said three commissioners shall cOnstl.
tute the civil service commission Of
the state. Every alternate year there
after, the governor, with the consent
of the senate, shall appoint one per.
son as the successor Of the commits
sioner whose term shall expire. TO
serve for the term of six years from
the date Of the appointment. and untH
a successor is appointed and qualified.
At no time shall two commissioners
be adherents Of the same political
-arty.
Each commissioner shall be paid $40
a day for the time actually and neces-
sarily devoted to his official duties not
exceeding 100 days each year, and his
necessary expenses incurred In the dis
charge Of his official duties.
The comision may elect one of its
members president, and may employ a
chief examiner at salary Of 81. 500 per
year. a secretary at a salary of 1900
per year. a stenographer at $500 per
year and may employ such additional
clerks or examiners as may be neces-
sary at an expense not to exceed $1,000
per pear Said employees shall paid
necessary expenses actually incurred
incurred in the discharge of their OFF,
cial duties. Tae commissioners may
designate persons in the official ser
vice of tae state or of any city or
county who shall, with the consent Of
the head Of the department or Office
IN which such person serves. act as
local examiner.
No appointing officer shall, after six
months from the date Of the passaEe
OF this act select or APPOINT any per
son for appointment, employment.
promotion or reinstatement, except IN
accordance with the provisions of this
act ard the rules and regulations pre-
Seribed hereunder Any person en-
ployed or appointed contrary to the
provisions OF this act or Of the rules
and regulations established thereun.
der, shall be paid by the officer or of.
ficers so employing or appointing. or
attempting to employ or appoint him
the compensation agreed upon for any
service performed under such appoint.
ment or employment or attempted ap-
pointment or employment. or in case
no compensation is agreed upon. the
actual Value of such services and any
expenses inc1rred in connection thoie
with, and shall have cause for action
against such officer or officers. or any
of them for such sum or sums ana for
the costs of the action No public Of
ficer shal be reimbursed by the state
for any sums So paid or recovered In
any such action
The civil service commission shall
First. Prescribe, amend and enforce
rules and regulations for carrying into
effect the provisions of this act. All
rules SO prescribed shall be subject "a
the approval OF the governor
Second. Keep minutes of its own
proceedings and records OF it's examr
nations and other official actions. to I.
open to public inspection.
Third. Make invests cations. either
sitting as body or through a single
commissioner concerning all matter.
touching on the enforcement and IF
feet Of the provisions OF this act
Zach commissioner AMI the secrrta
ry and the chief examiner shall hay,
the power to odmluls CIR oaths and M
formations, and to take testimony.
Fourth. Have power 10 subpoena az
require the attendance in this state o
witnesses and the productiaa thereh,
of books and papers pertinent 10 IN,
Investigation and inquiries hereby an
thoriZed and 10 examine them.
In the discretion of the commissia,
fees may be allowed to witnesses. an,
on their certificate. duly audited. shall
be paid by the state treasurer
Fifth. Make a biennial report 10 III
governor on or before the first dav a
December in each even numbere
year, showing its own actions. the rule
and regulations and all the exception
thereto in force, and the practical a