Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-01-05
System Has Proved In a Quar-
ter of a Century to be
Economical and
Efficient.
IRREGULAR APPOINTMENTS
HAVE been VERY FEW
Rural Carriers Have Increased In
Five Years From 5000 to
$1,000 Every Branch
of Service Shows
Improvement.

Washington, Jan. 5.-The ,twenty-
fifth annual report of the civil SER
vice commission is of especial interest
containing as 1t does a resume of the
commissions work during the first
quarter of a century of its existence.
together with more detailed state,
hent OF the changes brought about
during President Roosevelt's terms OF
oihce. Tne report shows that since
its establishment in 1883 the growth
OF the merit system has been contiu-
Gus, and appreciation of it's advan-
tages over the patronage system which
preceded 1t. has become practically
universal. Both political parties unite
in their platforms to endorse the prin-
ciples of the system and the workings
OF the civil service law, and the conn
mission enjoys the support and sym
pathy of administrative officers ana
the federal courts. In this connection
I IL Is interesting to note that six states
and nearly one hundred cities of the
country have adopted competitive
systems for civil appointmentssA Ass the /.
report says: -. - -
'gPhe end 81 aaarter cantnry s.
enforcement finds the system firmly
established and faithfully supported.
II is justified as practicable method
i"f obtaining economy and efficiency
IN the service, and as remedy for
many abuses
7 one item of interest brought out
oy the report Is the astonishing in
crease during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1908, In the number of an
pllcants for civil service examination
over the figures for the preceding
year, there having been, in round
/ numbers, $4,000 such applicants in
1908 as compared with $4,000 In
1907; while applications for the reg
ular spring examinations for depart-
mental service showed an even great
er Increase, amounting to the total of
81 per cent. This increase in the
number of persons desiring to enter
the government service may doubtless
be attributed to the financial depres-
sion throughout the country during
the greater part of the year and the
large number of persons thrown out
! of employment
In the matter of appointments II Is
shown that during the fiscal year last
past more than 41,000 persons were
appointed through competitive exam
ination.
The report also brings out the fact
that during the last fiscal year more
than 1900 positions i'm the govern
ment service were added to the num-
Der subject to competitive examina-
tton under the civil service rules.
these figures being exclusive of the
large number of fourth-class post
masters recently brought into tie
competitive class by executive order.
rms increase was dEe u a great ex-
tent to new work and to transfers oe
unclassihed and excepted positions to
the competitive class, this fact being
emphasized by official reports from
the various departments showing
large increases in the work of offc es
without corresponding additions TO
the force OF employees. During the
year free delivery was extended TO 92
p"stoffices, thereby bringing a cons,d-
cradle number Of persons into the
classified service
The report calls attention to the
improvements brought about by va
rious amendments to the rules. in
Guiding the reduction OF temporary
appointments to a minimum. and 10
the improved regulations affecting
the navy yards, the reclamation SER
wee, the geological survey, the quar-
termaster's department and the 18th
mian canal service Concerning the
last, Col. Goethals, chairman and
CHIEF engineer, reports:
Il have endeavored To observe the
civil service rules I'm SO far as they
apply 10 positions in the service OF
the commission, and from time 10
time have impressed upon subordinate
officials the importance and necessity
OF the policy. IL is believed that in
the last year there have been few, II
any, irregular appointments.
Even in the midst of the president
ial campaign much has been gained.
during the year. in restricting abuses
arising from partisan activity of Of
hcehOlders. The commission now pos
sosses jurisdiction over cases involv-
ing employees In the competitive SER
vice, and It's Investigation of several
cases Of improper political activity
and the collecting OF political assess
ments resulted in removals both by
the prezidanf and bx tho head - Al