CIVIL SERVICE NOTES. THE labor force in the navy yards (about 125 employments, such as draftsmen, ordnance men, machinists, calkers, oakum makers and spinners, dredgers, divers, drillers, &c., about 5,000 men), was put on a merit basis by Benj. F. Tracy in 1891. There are yards at Brooklyn, Boston, Portsmouth, N., H., Philadelphia (League Island); San Francisco (Mare Island); Washington, D. C., Norfolk, Va., and Pensacola, Fla., with stations at New London, Ct., Port Royal, S. C., &c. Tracy's order was made permanent by Cleveland on Nov. 2, 1896. In the railway mail service the number of pieces distributed correctly to each error in 1884 was 3,872; in 1894, 7,832; 1895, 8,894; 1896, 9,843. The drop to 2,834 in 1890 was caused by wholesale partisan removals in the spring of 1889, just prior to the introduction of the merit system in the railway mail service. The number of persons examined from July 16, 1883, to June 30, 1890, was 86,678; (see page xvi); from July 1, 1890, to June 30, 1891, 19,074; to 1892, 19,460; 1893, 24,838; 1894, 37,379; '95, 31,036; '96, 31,179-total, 249, 644; passed, 156,368; appointed, 48,421. The number of women examined from January 16, 1886, to June 30, 1894, was 16,802; 1895, 3,632; '96, 2,767-total, 23,201; passed, 17,038. Of the 73,000 postmasters about 7,000 are women, Virginia leading with over 500. In the Washington classified service about a seventh are women, with a much larger proportion in the unclassified. There are nearly 2,500 colored employés in the public service in Washington-classified and unclassified. Many colored men and a few colored women, graduates of colored schools and colleges in the South, have passed examinations and been appointed to office. INDEX TO SECOND APPENDIX, ETC. ADAMS J. attacks Mr. Lee, 237. of the vice-presidency, 241-2. 235; figurative speech of. 236. Frémont-Cochrane, nobility of, 246. Grayson W. unfounded fear of, 237. Grote G. historical notes, 116, 238. Hamlin H. forbearance of, 239-40. Hay John, testimony of, 247. Herndon W. H. on Lincoln, 244-7. Huxley T. H. on comparison, 177. Lincoln A. wrongdoing of, 239-248 For regular Index see page 249. PREFACE. THE improvements in the revised editions of this work consist in two Appendixes and Indexes, the addition of fresh matter to about fifty pages of the text, and the correction of errors. The Appendixes possess much historical value, for they contain quotations as pertinent and interesting as any in the body of the book. The increase in the scope of the civil service law by Presidents Harrison and Cleveland, especially the latter, has left little to be desired by reformers, except (1) the inclusion within the rules of the diplomatic and consular services; (2) the extension of "metropolitan" postoffices to include neighboring fourth-class postoffices; (3) the adoption by State and municipal governments of the merit system; (4) the repeal of the 4-years' term law. When this is attained the struggle for civil service reform will have ended. In the State of New York, during the past eight or ten years, civil service reform has been greatly hampered by the interference of so-called political "bosses." But as bad as this is, their interference (1) with nominations to office, (2) with general legislation, is worse. The dictation of nominations to office and the interference with legislation by irresponsible, unofficial, and corrupt politicians is a step toward anarchy. With corrupt politicians and their followers the words Democrat and Republican are meaningless, for they are actuated, as Franklin warned us (1787), solely by "two passionsambition and avarice." (See p. 88.) In New York reform in both nominations to office and legislation are now more needed than all other reforms. Nominations to office should depend on merit. Men of merit have filled legislative offices during the time, mentioned, but they were the exception to the rule. It is time to elect men to the Legislature not "boss"-ruled mercenaries. If men cannot afford to serve at present salaries, increase the salaries-tenfold if necessary. The State is able to pay for integrity and talent. In the Excelsior State legislative offices should be posts of honor-not of reproach. The usurpatory proclamation and also the bill referred to on page 245 were printed in the New York Tribune of July 11, 1864. NEW YORK, January, 1897. PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. * * * THE warning of Story and Washington concerning the dangers of party spirit, should be read and heeded by every American. Parties, when they strive solely for principle, are the life of a nation; but when they strive solely for pelf, patronage, and power, they are its death. Even corrupt party leaders may destroy a republic; sometimes even ambitious leaders may do so. Did a nation ever strive harder to preserve its integrity than did our own during the slaveholders' rebellion? Who but ambitious party leaders caused that rebellion? Some truthful words concerning the crime of buying and selling votes have been added to page 52. This evil cannot be too soon remedied. Voters should be educated up to a higher standard. The American who acknowledges any man as his political "boss," at the polls or elsewhere, disgraces the name American. Independent voting and an educational test for voters are what is wanted. The man who cannot both read and write either the English or some other language, should not be allowed to vote. A few words concerning the crime of business men neglecting to vote would be an important supplement to page 52. The subject of civil service reform is still one of the greatest issues of the day. The Christian Register (Boston) truly says: "We are yet on the threshold of this the most important reformation in American political history." Other newspapers have testified to the same effect, extracts from a few of which appear on page 256. There is much work yet to be done. But the outlook is hopeful. If civil service reformers are as vigilant in the future as they have been in the past, ultimate victory is assured. A people who have the intelligence to discover their mistakes and the courage to correct them, are capable of self-government; otherwise they are not. NEW YORK, May, 1891. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. THE chief object of this work is to defend the principles of the national Civil Service Law. It is not a criticism of the law, nor does it treat to any great extent of civil service economy as such, except in so far as the subject is expounded incidentally, but with ability and, in the aggregate, successfully, by many American statesmen, extracts from whose works embellish and enrich its pages. These extracts constitute a great part of the civil service history and literature of the country, particularly its early history and literature, and therefore constitute much of the value of this volume. This is well, and is besides opportune, for the subject of civil service reform is one of the greatest issues of the day, and too much light cannot be shed upon it. A work that even aids in elucidating such an important subject ought to be acceptable; indeed it seems to be one of the needs of the times. The fact that one chapter of the work is mostly devoted to corruption at elections and remedial election laws, only adds to its value, for the subject is collateral and of great importance, of as great importance perhaps as civil service reform itself. Whatever may be said of the original parts of the volume, the compiled parts are certainly both useful and instructive reading, and ought to aid in elevating and purifying American politics. The importance of a sound civil service policy was never better illustrated perhaps than by the New York Times of May 10, 1864. Speaking of Mr. Summer's civil service bill, it said the subject was second in importance only to the crushing of the then rebellion. The Times was then under the editorial direction of Mr. Henry J. Raymond, a statesman and one of the best known editors of his day. I am indebted to Mr. George William Curtis, the President of the National Civil Service Reform League, for valuable suggestions and encouragement to persevere in my researches, and also to the Astor Library for the use of many books. Other obligations are acknowledged here and there throughout the volume. NEW YORK, July, 1888. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION-History of Civil Service Legislation, Summary The law promotes Education, Efficiency, Economy.-Its chief Ob- ject. Its Constitutionality.-In harmony with the Teachings Their Utility proved by trial by Probation, examinations for Pro- motion, contrasts with non-Competitive Examinations, &c.— СНАРТER III. Reforms of Priceless value Probable.-The danger of Bribery at Elections. Opinions thereon of Messrs. Buchanan, Harrison, Benton, Jefferson, Barton, Bell, and Graves.-The chief English PAGE THE PATRONAGE AND MERIT SYSTEMS COMPARED. The superiority of the Merit System shown by various Contrasts.— Picture of an extraordinary Officeseeking Drama (page 58).— 7 DANGER OF AN OFFICEHOLDERS' ARISTOCRACY. The importance of the Subject.-The Cause of and Remedy for Aristocracies.-No danger in Life Tenures when based on Merit.-George William Curtis's Opinion of them.-Insolence of Office.-Great Depravity of the Roman Aristocracy (note) - 61 Its practicability only Apparent.-Jackson versus Jackson.—Prob- able causes of his Radical Change.-Marcy's famous Speech and humorous Letter to Buchanan.-Lincoln versus Lincoln.— His overweening Ambition.-The Spoils Doctrine undemocratic LEADING STATESMEN'S PRINCIPLES. The Merit System both Preached and Practiced by the six first Presidents.-Powerful blows at the Patronage System.-A pro- found Disquisition on its Evils by William Paley of England.- A remedy for its Mistakes and Abuses.-The Power discussed in the first Congress (1789).-The Decision then made criticised COMPARATIVE POLITICAL ECONOMY. Its Utility.-The Civil Service Systems of England, Canada, British India, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and China APPENDIX-Letters to the Albany Evening Journal; words of SECOND APPENDIX-Power of Removal.-Ancient Egyptian 195 233 |