The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-06
NERIIESYSTEN
GROWS IN FAVOR
As the Twenty Fifth Annual
Report of Civil Service
Commissioner Shows.

The Twenty Fftli Annual Report Of
the ciyil Service Commission Is OF
especial interest, containing as II
does a resume Of the Commissions
work the first quarter Of century
q its exlstenee. together with more
detailed statement OF the changes
brought about during President
R9oseyelt's term of office. The re-
port shows that since It's establish
ment in 1883 the growth Of the merit
system has been continuous, and APP
preciation of It's advantages over the
patronage system which preceded IT
has become practically universal.
Both political parties unite in thier
platforms 10 indorse the principles
of the system and the workings OF
the civil service law. and the COM
mission enjoys the support and sym
pathy or administrative officers and
the Federal courts. In this connec-
ton It Is Interesting to note that six
states and nearly one hundred<-clties
Of the country have adopted compet-
tive systems for civil appointments.
As the reopft says:
The end OF quarter century of
enforcement finds the system firmly
established and faithfully supported.
1t is justified as practicable meth
cd of obtaining economy and efiie-
iency In the service. and as RENE
dy for many abuses.
One item of interest brought out
by the report is the astonishing in
crease during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1908, in the number of ap.
plicants for civil service examination
over the figures Tor the preceding
year, there having been. in round
numbers. 10000 such applicants In
1908 as compared with $4,000 in
1907 while applications for the regu-
lar spring examinations for Depart
mental services showed even greater
Increase, amounting to the total OF
50 per cent. This increase in the
number of persons desiring to enter
the Government service may doubt
less be attributed to the financial de-
preston 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 IL
is shown that during the fiscal year
last passed more than 1900 per-
sons We're appointed through compet-
tive examination.
The report calls attention to the
improvements brought about by
various amendments to the rules, in
Guiding the, reduction Of temporary
appointments to minimum. and 10
improve regulations affecting the Ma
w Yards. the Reclamation Service.
the Geological Survey, the Quarter
masters Department, and the 18th
milan Canal Service. Concerning the
last. Col. Goethals. chairman and
chief engineer reports:
4 have endeavored to observe the
civil service rules in so far as they
apply TO positions in the various SER
vice OF the Commission. ana from
time to time have impressed upon
subordinate officials the Importance
and necessity of the policy. 1t is be-
lieved that in the last year there
have been few. if any. irregular ap-
pointments."
Even in the midst of the President
tal campaign much has been gained,
during the year, In restricting abuses
arising from partisan activity OF office
holders. The commission now pos
ssesses jurisdiction over cases lnvolv-
ing employees in the competitive SER
vice. and its investigation of several