The following table exhibits the result of the examinations: Grades. Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 Class $1,000. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. The work of marking the papers of the clerks examined occupied the board every day, except one, commencing June 20 and ending June 29, 1887, and in it Messrs. Webster, French, Pratt, Drinkard, and Kent rendered valuable assistance. The examination was as simple as it could be made, and yet practical enough to avoid even the appearance of a farce, and the ordeal, whose imaginary terrors were increased by ill-advised comments and criticisms upon the purpose of the commissioners, as well as by ignorant and cowardly statements concerning the integrity and capability of some of the examiners, all given publicity through the local press, was passed by the clerks with the evident feeling that it amounted to much less than their fears had pictured. In the further course of this work the examiners have no doubt that perfect confidence in the commissioners and their purposes in requiring the examinations for promotion will be established, malign spirits to the contrary notwithstanding, and the charge of originating methods to procure removals from office will be effectually exploded. If there has been any measure of incapacity manifested by the clerks in the two examinations held, it may, without doubt, be attributed to the practice of constant tutorship and supervision which prevails too much in all the departments. A very large proportion, if not a large majority, of clerks in the public service have not been required to exercise much independent judgment or feel much individual responsibility in the performance of their duties, and the habit of the mechanical operative has been fitted upon the mental capacity, so that performance is marked by welldefined limits beyond which the machine has lost its adaptation for the work. The clerk who has been taught, when given something unusual to do, to expect some one to tell him how to do it, will betray the effects of his practice when brought under the most simple examination, and if the new rules of the commission in operation will Show that safe conduct and advancement in the public service depend not only upon the possession of ordinary knowledge, but upon a reasonably fair capacity to apply that knowledge to practical uses, they will accomplish much good. Very respectfully, O. W. LONGAN, Secretary of the Board. [EXHIBIT 3.] PROMOTION REGULATIONS IN THE CLASSIFIED CUSTOMS-SERVICE. OPINIONS OF CUSTOMS OFFICIALS. PHILADELPHIA CUSTOMS DISTRICT. OPINION OF CUSTOMS BOARD OF EXAMINERS. CUSTOM-HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, PA., Collector's Office, Philadelphia, March 3, 1887. DEAR SIR: Your communication of the 6th January, 1887, inclosing copy of the regulations governing promotions in the customs district of New York, and asking for the opinion of the different members of the board of civil-service examiners upon the subject, was laid before the board at their meeting to-day, and I was directed to reply that the unanimous opinion of the board was that such regulations would not be advisable for the Philadelphia custom-house. Very respectfully, yours, L. C. CLEEMANN, Secretary Board Civil-Service Examiners, Philadelphia Custom-House. JOHN T. DOYLE, Esq., Secretary Civil-Service Commission. BOSTON CUSTOMS DISTRICT. CUSTOMS BOARD OF EXAMINERS TRANSMITS OPINIONS OF COLLECTOR, NAVAL OFficer, SURVEYOR, AND APPRAISER. UNITED STATES CIVIL-SERVICE COMMISSION, OFFICE BOARD OF EXAMINERS, CUSTOM-HOUSE, UNITED STATES CIVIL-SERVICE COMMISSION, Washington, D. C.: GENTLEMEN: Respectfully referring to the letter of the 6th ultimo from the commission, relative to examinations for promotions in this customs district, I have to state that, as directed, a conference of heads of customs offices has been held for the purpose of obtaining an expression of their views as to the adoption of rules for regulating promotions in this district similar to the regulations (as per copy submitted) governing promotions in the customs district of New York. I beg leave to transmit herewith reports from the collector, naval officer, surveyor, and appraiser, respectively, who are all in accord in their opinions that it is inexpedient to adopt, in this district, the regulations in question. This board, after conference and due consideration of the question, is unanimous in entertaining the same opinion. I am, very respectfully, FREDERICK GRANT, Secretary. OPINION OF COLLECTOR SALTONSTALL. CUSTOM-HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS., SIR Referring to the letter addressed to you by the United States Civil-Service Commission, dated January 6 and inclosing a copy of the "regulations governing promotions in the customs service at the city of New York," referred by you to me, in which the commission express the desire that a conference of the heads of the customs offices in this district be held for the expression of views as to the adoption of similar rules in this district, I beg to inform you that a conference of the naval offi cer, the surveyor, and the appraiser, with myself, was held and the matter was fully discussed. I herewith inclose the reports made to me by these officers on the subject, in which they give their reasons for thinking such regulations would be inexpedient in their respective departments, reasons in which I most cordially concur. I can not believe that in any custom-house, excepting that of New York, they would be advisable. Promotions here are made with great care, and I endeavor to see that they are exactly in accordance with the spirit of the civil-service law. I should regret extremely to be compelled to make them according to the result of examinations. Promotions are due to earnestness, zeal, and fidelity, which may not be shown as a result of competitive examinations. I think, especially in the out-door force of inspectors, weighers, gaugers, and storekeepers, there are so many qualifications which should be considered, such as alacrity, energy, intelligence, quickness of perception, to say nothing of the physical qualifications so necessary in certain branches of the service, that I should consider it very unwise to be confined to competitive examinations in the promotion of such officers. It is very true that much must depend upon the collector. We can not provide for want of intelligence and zeal in carrying out the civil-service reform according to the spirit as well as the letter of the law, and it must be presumed that such officer is true to the law, and absolutely faithful in his endeavor to promote the welfare of the service. MY DEAR SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt from you of the letter of the Civil-Service Commission, by John Doyle, its secretary, bearing date January 6, and addressed to Frederick Grant, esq., secretary of the board of examiners at this custom-house, which letter covers the "regulations governing promotions in the customs service at the city of New York, approved and promulgated by the President, January 4, 1887." Said letter of the commission requests the opinions of the chief customs officers of the district, and of the local board of examiners, as to the advisability of applying the "regulations" referred to, to the customs service at this port, and you suggest that I give you my opinion on this matter in writing. The number of clerks in the classified service in this office is so small, and I am constantly so well informed from personal attention to their work, both of their proficiency, adaptability to the needs of the different desks, and their individual merits, that it is unnecessary to institute a competitive examination to show who among the number is best deserving promotion. Outside the deputies and chief clerks, there are, at present, but 13 clerks in the classified service in this office--divided as follows: Class one, 4; class two, 1; class three, 4; class four, 4. With all these clerks, their capability, work, and merits, I am so familiar, that I regard an examination for the purpose indicated unnecessary. From my experience and knowlege, therefore, I do not think it necessary or advisable to apply the regulations referred to as promulgated for the port of New York to the service in this custom-house. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SIR: Referring to letter from Civil-Service Commission, by John T. Doyle, secretary, addressed to Frederick Grant, secretary board of examiners, custom-house, Poston, asking for an expression of views, on the advisability of adopting regulations similar to those lately adopted by the customs service at the city of New York, governing promotious, I would respectfully state, that in this department the present civil-service regulations have been lived up to faithfully, and, in my judgment, amply provide for promotions. In the weigher's department, I have found by observation, that it is very difficult to determine the qualifications of assistant weighers necessary to a thorough performance of duty, particularly in those assigned to a weighing district, having under their charge a number of assistant weighers, and I am satisfied that an examination would not prove that the highest candidate for promotion possessed the qualifications for a successful discharge of duties. I have had occasion, in order to better the service in this department, to recommend the displacement of one of the oldest assistant weighers, and promote to his place a clerk at the debenture desk, who formerly served as an assistant weigher. I found that the executive capacity necessary to successfully administer the affairs of the district was lacking in the displaced official and the new appointee combined all the qualifications required. As this department has been sadly neglected in the past, I am, as you know, endeavoring to so re-arrange it, as to make it as it ought to be, free from the many errors constantly occurring, and to manage it at less expense hereafter. As other changes by promotion are needed to attain this result, I feel that with my acquaintance with the working force of the weighing department, and the knowledge of the capabilities of each man for better work, I could better advise for promotion and thereby obtain better results than by the adoption of the system alluded to. These arguments will apply with nearly equal force to the gaugers and day inspectors. The force of night inspectors might be benefited by the adoption of a rule which would permit examinations of the force for promotion, after serving the probationary term, instead of being compelled to wait as now for two (2) years before promotion. There is no department in the customs service at this port which would show by examination for promotion so little the necessary qualifications required for the performance of the duties of day and night inspectors, weighers, and gaugers, as the surveyor's department. Good health, vigor of body, steady habits, and capacity of en. durance are demanded by the constant exposure to all kinds of weather. I have made these suggestions with no desire to impede in any manner an improvement in the civil-service rules, but because I feel that my experience in the various grades of this department enables me to give an opinion based on a practical knowledge acquired by former years of service and supplemented by attention to duty in my present position, which gives me an acquaintance with the habits and capabilities of every man in the entire force. PORT OF BOSTON, MASS., Appraiser's Office, January 17, 1886. SIR: Referring to the communication of the civil-service commission, which requests an expression of opinion from the chief customs officers at this port as to the advisability of adopting the system of promotion now in vogue at the port of New York, I beg leave to submit my reply. While I am a strong exponent of the civil-service law, feeling grateful for the relief afforded me from indiscriminate extraneous influences, I am constrained to believe that the requirements of this department would not be advanced by the application of such rules as are laid down in the printed circular, for reasons which seem obvious. Primarily this department requires greater adaptation to commercial and business necessities than any other under the government. The requirements of this service are of a special nature, and under Civil-Service Rule No. 7, clause 5, provision is made to supply the technical knowledge pertinent to the specific information necessary for the intelligent examination of merchandise. Possibly the inclosed rules may work no disadvantage to the service in the appraiser's department at the great port of New York, for the reason that the force employed in that office exceeds, I believe, the entire number of employés of all departments at this port. The volume of merchandise to be examined in each division at New York is so great that the services of several persons are required to pass upon the same kind and grade of goods. Therefore when an examiner or other employé receiv ing the larger salary is dropped from the service, it may possibly be correct that an examination be had of those receiving less, for the purpose of obtaining or allowing the one showing the more versatile knowledge as to the valuation, etc., to fill the vacancy, thereby checking any tendency to favoritism. At this port the system would be inoperative, as the conditions are not the same in this office. Owing to the disparity in the volume of importations between this port and New York, we have occasion to employ but one person for the examination of certain lines of merchandise. Therefore, if by reason of death or resignation a vacancy occurs, there would not be any employé of a lower grade eligible or competent to make an effort to enter for a competitive examination for the vacant place. Under these conditions the examiners holding commissions at this port, with few exceptions, receive a uniform compensation. Consequently no advantage would accrue to the service by the adoption of any method distinct from that which is provided for in clause 5, Rule 7, of civil-service rules. CUSTOMS BOARD OF EXAMINERS TRANSMITS OPINION OF COLLECTOR, ETC. CUSTOM-HOUSE, Baltimore, February 12, 1887. GENTLEMEN: Referring to your letter of the 6th ultimo, in which the commission requested a conference and report of the heads of customs offices of this district on the subject of promotions, and an expression from the different members of this board on the same, we have the honor of transmitting the inclosed "report" from the collector of the port indorsed by the naval officer and the surveyor, together with the several letters from the members of the board. Very respectfully, U. S. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, Washington, D. C. C. S. BURNS, |