Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-01-06
MERIT SYSTEM IS
APPROVED BY ALL
ADVANTAGES OF CIVIL SERVICE
is NOW GENERALLY RECoG-
MED AND PLAN APPROVED.

The twenty-fifth annual report ~
the civil service ccmmiss.on IS OF
especial interest. containing as It
does resume OF the commissions
work during tho FIRST quarter or a
&C injury OF its existence. together
with more detailed statement Of
tn changes brouGhr about during
President Roosevel.'s terms OF Of
fee. The report shows that since
u establishment In 1888, the
growth of the mort system has been
continuous, and appreciation OF IT'S
advantages over the patronage sys-
tenn which preceded 1t, has become
practically universal.
One item OF interest brought out
ty the report is tho astonishing in
crease during the fiscal yoar ended
June 80. 1908. in the number of APP
psicants for civil service examine
ton. over the figures for tho proceed
ing year, there having been, in
round numbers, 10000 such appl:-
cants in 1908 as compared with
l29, 600 in 1907; while applications
fer the regular spring examine
tions for departmental service show
ed an even greater increase, amount
ng to the total OF SO per cent. This
Increase In the number OF persons
a spring to enter the government
service may doubtless DO attributed
to tho financial depression through
out the country during the greater
Part of the year, and the large mum
btr of persons thrown out of EN-
p!GyTdent.
In the matter OF appointments IL
= shown that during tho fiscal year
Last past more than 41,000 persons
were appointed through competitive
examination.
MERIT SYSTEM GREATLY
EXTENDED.
The report also brings out the
tact that during the last fiscal year
more than 10000 positions in the
government service were added to
the number subject to competitive
examination under the civil ser
vicA rules, these figures being ex-
C usive OF the large number OF
70 rth-class pogsmaSters recently
brought into the competitive class
by executive order. This increase
was due to great extent to new
work and to Transfers OF unclassifl-
ed and excepted positions TO the
competitive class, this fact being EN-
plasized by official reports from the
various departments. showing large
Increases in the work of Offices
W thout corresponding additions to
ths force Of employees. During the
year free delivery was extended to
81 postioffices, thereby bringing a
c'i siderable number OF persons into
the classified ucrvices.
Even In the midst OF the presj-
Dental campaign much las been
gefned. dur ng the year in restrict
abuDes arising from partisan ac.iyS
~ Of office holders. The commits
sion now possesses jurisdiction over
cases involving employees n the com
EStitsve service, and its cnvestiga-
ton OF several cases OF improper po-
lttical activity and the collecting Of
pclt5cal assessments resulted in re-
mcvals both OF the president and by
the heads Of che departments. The
penalties imposed had a widely de-
teirent effect, and the commission
reports that violations OF the rd'es
became noticeably less, both in mum
Der and in degree, as the compaign
progressed.
The report concludes with re-
8 lm9 Of the progress OF civi1 ser
wee reform under President Roose-
vth. Hore the number OF positions
subject to competitive examination
has nearly doubled sincs september,
1901, having increased from about
10000 at that time u q total OF
about 100000 in the present year.