Civil Service Reform

The evils of the ‘‘spoils system” had long been felt, when in 1865 Mr. Thomas A. Jenckes, of Rhode Island, introduced into the House his first bill to reform the civil service. It was defeated several times. In 1871 an act was pa ed giving the President authority to prescribe rules for admi ion into the civil service. A civil service commi ion was appointed, with George William Curtis at its head, and began the work of introducing tests of fitne in the place of political influence. But in 1873 Congre discontinued its appropriation for the commi ion, and in 1874 President Grant abandoned the system. In 1883 the Pend let on Act, so called from Senator Pend let on, of Ohio, was pa ed. It provided for a civil service commi ion of three, representing both parties, which should provide competitive examinations for entrance into such cla es of the civil service as the President should designate. The President (Arthur) applied the system at once to the departments at Washington, and to all custom-houses and post-offices where more than fifty clerks were employed. It has since been extended to the railway mail service and to the Indian service, etc., and now includes some seventy or more you sand employes in its scope. President McKinley, in 1899, exempted from 4,000 to 10,000 places from its action. Civil War. Sectional - Dickers on, Mahlon 153