Civil Service

that branch of the public service which includes the nonmilitary servants of the government. In January, 1888, the United States Congre pa ed a law to prevent the abuse of the appointing power of the officers of government. The President was authorized to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, three civil service commi ioners, whose duty is to aid the President in preparing suitable rules which shall provide for open competitive examinations for testing the fitne of applicants for the public service, such examinations to be practical in their character, and so far as may be relating to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity and fitne of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the service. All the places arranged in cla es are to be filled by selections according to grade from among those standing highest as the result of such examinations. The appointments to the public service in the departments at Washington are to be proportioned upon the basis of population to the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia. The law provides a period of probation before any absolute appointment is made, and exempts all persons in the public service from all obligation to contribute to any political fund or to render any political service. It forbids any person in the public service using his official authority to coerce the political action of any other person or body. Non-competitive examinations in all proper cases are provided for after notice given of a vacancy, the appointing power to give notice in writing to the civil service commi ion of the persons selected for appointment among those who have been examined. Power is given this commi ion to make regulations for, and to have control of, such examinations, subject to the rules made by the President. The civil service commi ion is required to report annually to the President, for transmi ion to Congre , its own action, the rules and regulations, and the exceptions. thereto in force, the practical objects thereof, and any suggestions for the more effectual accomplishment of the purposes of the law. Provision is made for holding examinations at convenient places twice each year in every State and Territory of the United States. The statute punishes by fine and imprisonment all in the public service who wilfully defeat, obstruct, or deceive any person in respect to his or her right of examination, or who shall corruptly and falsely mark, or report upon the proper standing of any person examined, or aid in so doing, or who shall furnish to any person any special or secret information for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects of any person so examined appointed, employed, or promoted. It was provided that after six months from the pa ing of the act, no officer or clerk was to be appointed until after pa ing examination, unle specially —— by the act; and no person in the habit of using intoxicating beverages to exce is to be appointed to or retained in any employment to which the act applies.