object to these methods, but is more likely to approve of them as the best means of obtaining promotion by honest endeavor and good behavior. [A. S. Kenney, general storekeeper.]

This efficiency record is of great value in two ways: First, as a protection of the interests of the clerical force, by making their standing in the office the subject of careful and written expressions on the part of those who supervise them; second, a stimulus to conscientious attention to duty, either through hope of reward or through fear of punishment. I believe that the effect upon the clerical force is most beneficial, and that in most offices such a system would be continued for their own advantage, even if it were not required by the Department. [William Swift, inspector of ordnance.]

*

The effect of these reports, and the attention paid to them by the Department, has been a marked improvement in the tone and efficiency of the clerical force, and the equipment office regards them as of the greatest importance to the just and efficient working of the system. Under the present efficient rules there is a systematic record not only of bad conduct or inefficiency, such as would probably be voluntarily kept for information in most offices, but there is positive and continuing record of good service as a safeguard to the employees and a basis for the promotion of the deserving. [C. S. Sperry, equipment officer.]

*

In compliance with the Department's letter in reference to the "semiannual efficiency record and the action consequent thereon,” I have the honor to report that the attendance and efficiency have been excellent. [James M. Miller, senior member board of inspection.]

The semiannual efficiency record, and the action consequent thereon, has had an excellent effect upon the clerical and drawing office force in construction and repair. It has produced greater punctuality, and the moral effect of recording every deficiency has shown itself in many ways to the advantage of the Government. [Francis T. Bowles, naval constructor.]

"

Its [the efficiency report] action has been beneficial. The desire that he may obtain a high percentage acts as a stimulus to the clerk to be diligent, punctual, and orderly. [Edward Farmer, chief engineer.]

*

The effect of this record upon the clerical force of the Department of Yards and Docks has been good, the discipline, character, and quality of work, and the attendance have greatly improved. [G. W. Sumner, head of Department of Yards and Docks.]

*

The effect of the system of reports seems to be most excellent. [H. T. Wright, pay inspector.]

REGULATIONS GOVERNING PROMOTIONS IN THE POST-OFFICE

DEPARTMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT PROPER.

In pursuance of the requirements of section 7 of the civil-service act, and in conformity with Rule XI of the civil-service rules, promulgated by the President on the 6th day of May, 1896, the following regulations governing promotions in the departmental service of the Post-Office Department in the District of Columbia have been formulated by the Civil Service Commission after consultation with the Postmaster-General, and are hereby promulgated.

REGULATION I.

1. All vacancies above those in the lowest class of any grade not filled by reinstatement, transfer, or reduction shall be filled by promotion: Provided, That if there is no person eligible for promotion, or if the vacant position requires the exercise of technical or professional knowledge, it may be filled through certification from the Civil Service Commission.

2. Except as above provided, a vacancy in any class up to and including class 4, shall be filled by the promotion of an eligible in the next lower class of the same bureau. When such vacancy exists, the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the highest three eligibles in the bureau, and from these names the Postmaster-General shall make his selection: Provided, That if there shall be in the bureau less than three eligibles in the class next below that in which the vacancy exists, the board of promotion shall certify in addition as many of the highest eligibles in the corresponding class of the other bureaus as may be necessary to make full certification.

3. When a vacancy exists in class 5, the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names and efficiency records of all eligibles of class 4 in the Department, from which the Postmaster-General may make a selection: Prorided, That if there is attached to the vacant position a salary of more than $2,000 per annum, the names of all persons in class 5 who are eligible for promotion shall be first certified.

4. When a vacancy exists in class 6, the Postmaster-General may promote any person from class 5 whom he may consider qualified.

REGULATION II.

1. No person shall be promoted to any grade from which he is barred by the age limitations prescribed by the civil-service rules.

2. No person whose record of efficiency is below 85 per cent of the possible maximum rating of his class or grade shall be eligible for promotion.

3. No person occupying a position below the grade of clerk-copyist shall be promoted to that grade until he shall have been employed two years in the departmental service and shall have passed, with an average percentage of 70 or over, the examination prescribed by the Commission.

REGULATION III.

1. An examination into the relative efficiency of employees, as shown by the efficiency record hereinafter provided for, and such further tests as the Commission may deem necessary, shall constitute an examination for promotion. No person except as hereinafter provided shall be eligible for promotion until he shall have passed such an examination.

2. Examinations for promotion shall be conducted by the board of promotion at such times as may be fixed by the Commission.

REGULATION IV.

1. The chief clerk of each bureau under the direction of the head thereof shall keep a record of the efficiency of all employees under his supervision, and a similar record of employees not assigned to any bureau shall be kept by the chief clerk of the Department.

2. The record of efficiency shall be kept on such forms as may be prescribed by the Commission after consultation with the Postmaster-General, and shall embrace the elements which are essential to a fair and accurate determination of the relative merits of employees.

3. A record of those eligible for promotion shall be kept by the board of promotion. The board shall have access to efficiency records and may at any time call for a transcript of the same.

4. The efficiency records of employees shall at all times be open to their inspection. If an employee questions his efficiency rating, he may appeal in writing to the board of promotion. If the board does not sustain the chief clerk of the bureau, the question shall be referred to the head thereof and a full report of the case shall be filed by the board with the Commission.

RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE.

CLERKS.

In pursuance of the requirements of Section VII of the civil-service act, and in conformity with Civil Service Rule XI, promulgated by the President on the 6th day of May, 1896, the following regulations governing promotions in the Railway Mail Service have been formulated by the Civil Service Commission, after consultation with the Postmaster-General, and are hereby promulgated:

REGULATION I.

The General Superintendent, the assistant general superintendent, and the chief clerk of the Railway Mail Service shall constitute the board of promotion, subject to the provisions of section 3 of Civil Service Rule XI.

REGULATION II.

For the purpose of defining the order of promotion under these regulations the officers and employees shall be classified as follows:

The classification up to and including class 4 shall be as provided in section 890 of the Postal Laws and Regulations of 1893.

Class 5a shall include clerks in charge of full railway post-offices, clerks assigned to duty as examiners, scheme clerks, record clerks, corresponding clerks, etc., receiving salaries of $1,300 or over but less than $1,400 per annum.

Class 5b shall include clerks receiving salaries of $1,400 and assigned to duty as chief clerks, chief clerks at large, chief clerks in charge of lines, examiners, scheme clerks, and clerks detailed to duty in the office of the General Superintendent. Class 6 shall include ali assistant superintendents.

Class 7 shall include the Assistant General Superintendent, superintendents of divisions, and the chief clerk in the office of the General Superintendent. Class 8 shall include the General Superintendent.

REGULATION III.

1. All vacancies above those in the lowest class not filled by reinstatement, transfer, or reduction shall be filled by promotion: Provided, That if there is no person eligible for promotion, or if the vacant position requires the exercise of technical or professional knowledge, it may be filled through certification from the Civil Service Commission.

2. A vacancy in any class except the lowest, up to and including class 5a, shall be filled by the promotion of an eligible from the next lower class of the same railway post-office. When a vacancy exists the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the highest three eligibles and from these names a selection shall be made: Provided, That if there shall be in the same railway postoffice less than three eligibles in the class next below that in which the vacancy exists, and if the Postmaster-General shall require a full certification, the board of promotion shall certify, in addition, as many as necessary of the highest eligibles in the corresponding class of the connecting or adjacent railway post-office in the same division whose clerks, by reason of the character of the mail handled therein, are, in the opinion of the board, best qualified.

3. A vacancy in any class except the lowest, up to and including class 5a in an office other than a railway post office, shall be filled by the promotion of an eligible from the next lower class of the same office. When such vacancy exists the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the highest three eligibles, and from these names a selection shall be made: Provided, That if there shall be in the same office less than three eligibles in the class next below that in which the vacancy exists, and if the Postmaster-General shall require a full certification, the board of promotion shall certify, in addition, as many as necessary of the

highest eligibles in the corresponding class of the railway post-offices in the same division.

4. When a vacancy exists in class 5b, the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the highest three eligibles in class 5a in the division in which the vacancy exists, and from these names the Postmaster-General shall make his selection: Provided, That if there shall be in the division less than three eligibles in class 5a, and if the Postmaster-General requires a full certification, the board of promotion shall, in order to make a full certification, certify in addition as many as necessary of the highest eligibles in the corresponding class in the other divisions.

5. When a vacancy exists in class 6, the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the highest three eligibles in class 5b in the division in which the vacancy exists, and from these names the Postmaster-General shall make his selection: Provided, That if there shall be in the division less than three eligibles in class 5b, and if the Postmaster-General requires a full certification, the board of promotion shall, in order to make a full certification, certify in addition as many as necessary of the highest eligibles in the corresponding class in the other divisions: And provided further, That if the duties to be performed in the vacant position be not confined to any division, the board of promotion shall certify the three eligibles in the service who, in the opinion of the board, are best qualified for the duties to be performed and for the responsibilities of the office. Clerks detailed to the office of the General Superintendent shall be considered for promotion in the divisions from which they are detailed.

6. When a vacancy exists in class 7, the board of promotion shall certify to the Postmaster-General the names of the three eligibles in class 6 who are best qualified for the duties to be performed and for the responsibilities of the office, and from these names the Postmaster-General shall make his selection.

7. When a vacancy exists in class 8, the Postmaster-General shall promote any person from the next lower class whom he may consider qualified.

REGULATION IV.

1. No clerk below class 5a shall be eligible for promotion who has not passed examinations on the States or cities he is required to be examined upon with a standing of 95 per cent or better, within three years next preceding the date of the vacancy; and to determine his eligibility his last examination on each State shall alone be considered.

2. No person shall be promoted by detail or transfer to a position which may be filled by the promotion of an employee who is eligible under these regulations.

REGULATION V.

1. The case examination and car record of a clerk shall constitute the examination for promotion to any position in a railway post-office. No reexamination shall be required for promotion to higher positions, eligibility for promotion being determined by the board of promotion, after considering such qualities as judgment, character, ability, and general qualifications of the persons competing. Records of efficiency and case examinations shall be made in such manner and on such forms as may be prescribed by the board of promotion, after consultation with the PostmasterGeneral, and shall embrace the elements which are essential to a fair and accurate determination of relative merit.

2. When, in the opinion of the board of promotion, the qualifications of eligibles are practically equal, they shall be certified in the order of their appointment to the class and line, or office, to which they are assigned.

FEBRUARY 6, 1897.

GRADE OF PORTER TO THE GRADE OF RAILWAY MAIL CLERK.

1. Competitive examinations shall be held at such times and places as the Civil Service Commission may direct, after consultation with the General Superintendent, for the promotion of porters to the grade of clerk in the Railway Mail Service. The examination shall be the same as for original entrance to the grade of railway mail clerk.

2. Any person who has served continuously for a period of two years in the position of porter in the Railway Mail Service, and who is between the ages of 18 and 35, may file an application for promotion and be examined.

3. The names of porters who pass the promotion examination shall be entered upon promotion registers for the States in which they claim legal residence. Whenever a vacancy in the grade of clerk exists in any State which the General Superintendent of the Railway Mail Service desires to fill by the promotion of a porter, requisition shall be made on the Civil Service Commission for the certification of the names of the three eligibles standing highest on the register for the State in which the vacancy exists, one of whom shall be selected to fill the vacancy.

4. Porters who are promoted to the grade of clerk shall be assigned to the foot of the substitute clerk list, but the eligible selected and promoted may continue to serve as porter until he is assigned to a regular position in the order of his rank as substitute clerk.

Adopted by the direction of the Commission.

JOHN R. PROCTER, President United States Ciril Service Commission.

FEBRUARY 13, 1897.

REGULATIONS GOVERNING PROMOTIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 1, 1896. The following regulations, having been duly promulgated by the honorable the United States Civil Service Commission and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, will hereafter govern promotions, demotions, and continuance in office of employees in this Department, and they are accordingly published for the information of all concerned.

J. STERLING MORTON,

Secretary.

OFFICE OF UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION,
WASHINGTON, D. C., December 1, 1896.

In pursuance of the requirements of section 7 of "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States," approved January 16, 1883, and in conformity with Rule XI of the revision of the civil-service rules promulgated by the President on the 6th day of May, 1896, the following regulations governing promotions in the departmental service of the Department of Agriculture have been formulated by the Civil Service Commission after consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and are hereby promulgated:

REGULATION I.

SECTION 1. All vacancies above those in the lowest class of any grade not filled by reinstatement, transfer, or reduction shall be filled by promotion: Provided, That if there is no person eligible for promotion, or if the vacant position requires the exercise of technical or professional knowledge, it may be filled through certification by the Civil Service Commission.