GEORGE A. BENTON Esq., Secretary Rochester Board of Examiners, says: No. 10. "Good." No. 11. "The appointing power is relieved to a considerable extent from the importunity of office seekers, and better men are secured. This report covers the period from November 30, 1885, to November 30, 1886, except as otherwise stated." Mayor PROCTOR, of Ogdensburg, says: No. 10. "As far as this city is concerned, it is a humbug; been trying all summer to get four policemen, and have not got them. yet. Mayor GRACE, of New York, says: No. 10. "I think that its effect has been in all respects good. No complaints have been received as to the character or conduct of any of the persons who have been appointed under the Civil Service Law in the city of New York, and I am informed that in many of the departments the general character of the persons applying for appointment has improved in a marked degree. The character of the examinations held in this city has been practical and especially adapted to test the qualifications of candidates for the particular position they seek to enter. This I deem essential to the success of the system." No. 11. "One effect has been to relieve to a considerable degree the appointing power from importunity respecting appointments to all places coming within the Civil Service rules. The fact has come to be generally known that appointments to most places under the city government can only be made as the result of a competitive examination, and while undoubtedly those who have passed this examination and been placed upon the eligible list have, in many instances done all in their power to secure their selection, yet this is a much less evil than that which existed under the former lack of system when there were no means provided by law for ascertaining the qualifications of applicants. While those who were highest on the eligible list have not in all instances received appointments, yet the fact that a person stood at the head or near the head of the list, has undoubtedly exercised a very considerable influence in the matter of appointments. This has been true to a very marked degree in the police department. A very large number of persons have competed for appointment as policemen, and an excellent body of men has thus been selected from whom the police commissioners could exercise the choice which the law gives them. The fact that positions in the fire department are also open to competition, has not become so generally known; partly, no doubt, owing to the fact that there has been a considerable increase in the number of policemen, while there has not been in the number of firemen. The secretary of the examining boards has been charged with the duty of making the fact that places in the fire department are open to competition better known, and I believe that when this comes to be known the effect in that department will be as beneficial as it has been in the police department." No. 12. "I think there can be no doubt that the effect of the law in regard to political assessments has been to greatly diminish the extent to which such assessments were collected. I have no knowledge of any violations of sections eleven or fourteen of the Civil Service Act, and have no reason to think that any such have been committed. Mayor PETRY, of Long Island City, says: No. 10. "The effect of the application of the Civil Service Law has proved beneficial in my opinion." No. 11. "The law has excluded unfit persons from the police force. The city has a very efficient force by reason of it. The fire department is controlled by the fire commissioners, and the force is composed of volunteers." No. 12. "I know of no assessments imposed upon city officers in violation of the law." Contributions for political purposes may have been made, but if so, they were voluntarily made. I think the act in this respect should be maintained." Mayor BECKER, of Buffalo, says: No. 10. "Its application to the police department has been very successful. It is in this department that the chief test has been made. The general effect has been to stimulate competency even where the rules were not applied." No. 11. "The Commissioners of Police approve the system. The Fire Commissioners have not applied it, but an examination of 600 applicants will be held in January, 1887, the first competitive one thrown open to the public. The Board of Health for the first time comes under the Civil Service rules, and an examination for district physicians will be held in January, 1887. No. 12. "No political assessments have been levied to my knowledge, and there is a greater feeling of independence of politicians in the departments under schedule ‘B.'” Mayor WHITNEY, of Brooklyn, says: No. 10. "The character and efficiency of persons appointed in accordance with the Civil Service law, are far superior to those of their predecessors." No. 11. "Since the law has relieved appointing officers from the necessity of listening to personal solicitation of candidates and their friends, they have been enabled to apply themselves to their legitimate duties with much greater assiduity. In the fire and police departments the appointees' are of a much higher grade of intelligence, and as favoritism has been entirely eliminated, those best qualified in both physique and character have been selected." No. 12. "No political assessments are known to have been levied, and no violations of any section of the Civil Service act have been reported." LOCKPORT, December 6, 1886. Hon. JOHN JAY, President Civil Service Commission, State New York: DEAR SIR - Your circular of November first having been mislaid and overlooked until a few days ago, since which time I have been looking for a set of rules for this city, but do not find that your Board has approved of any for this place, and would ask if you have any record of approving of any, if not, if you will be so kind as to send us copies of rules of cities of about our size. I inclose a list of our officers. Our commissioners are non-partisan. Yours respectfully, WILLIAM SPAULDING. AUBURN, December 10, 1886. To the Honorable the Civil Service Commission of the State of New York: In compliance with the request of your honorable body, I have the honor to submit the following report of the workings of the Civil Service act in its application to the municipal government of the city of Auburn: During the year seventeen applications have been made to the board of examiners for examination, eleven for positions as patrolmen on the police force, and six for the position of clerk to the board of charities and police. Of these, nine of the former were examined and four passed a successful examination; all of the latter were examined and four passed. Of the applicants for positions as patrolmen, one failed to appear for examination, and the application of one was received after the last examination. Four have been appointed to positions as patrolmen from the list of eligible applicants, and one has been appointed clerk to the board of charities and police. The last appointment named adds one more to the number of municipal officers, the official duties of the office having been dis charged heretofore by the superintendent of charities. Since the last report three patrolmen have resigned, and one has been dismissed from the service. Very respectfully, C. WHEELER, JR., BROOKLYN, December 15, 1886. CLARENCE B. ANGLE, Esq., Secretary, Etc.: -- DEAR SIR. — In answer to your inquiry as embraced in your communication of November first, I would say that in this the first year of my administration, I am fully satisfied with the operation of the Civil Service Law as it now stands, and, therefore, would not suggest any amendment. Respectfully, D. D. WHITNEY, Mayor. ROCHESTER, December 1, 1886. Honorable JOHN JAY, President Civil Service Commission, State of New York: DEAR SIR. I return herewith answers to the questions contained in your communication to Honorable C. R. Parsons, Mayor of Rochester, under date of November 1, 1886. There is no provisions in our regulations whereby suspensions or removals from office are reported to the examining boards, nor have I any official sources of information as to the number of laborers employed in the service of the city, not classified under Civil Service rules. Nearly twice the number of appointments have been made during this year as compared with the year preceding. By year I mean from November 30, 1885, the date of my former report to you, to November 30, 1886. The Civil Service system here is being improved and extended, and excellent results are obtained in the efficiency of the appointees, and their competency to discharge the duties of the position to which they are severally appointed. Very respectfully yours, GEORGE A. BENTON, Secretary. |