| Show MERIT SYSTEM TO PREVAIL IN THE MAKING OF FEDERAL FED RAl APPOINTMENTS The merit of making appoint appointments ments is Js m iii l as ast Uc and American as aa the common school system itself It simply 11 means that in clerical and other na where the duties are entirely all aU applicants should aboul have a g field and no favor each standing on as he is able to show how them br y practical cal test Written competitive examinations offer the only available means m QS in Ia many cases for ap applying applying applying plying this system cyst In other cases as where laborers labo are ar employed em loyed a system of registration undoubtedly t can lan be widely extended There are of course places where the written competitive examina examination e tion cannot be applied and others where It offers by no means menus an ideal solution but where under existing political condi conditions conditions It ft is 18 though an imperfect yet the best beat present means of or getting g sat eat satisfactory results Wherever Whomever the conditions have permitted the application of the merit system in its fullest and widest t sense nse the gain to the government has bas been Veen immense The navy yards and postal portal service lime Illus Illustrate probably better than any other branches of the Ute government the great Kiln gain alft in economy efficiency and honesty hone t due to the enforcement of this principle Extend Classified Service I recommend the passage se of a law which will extend the Ule classified service to the District of Columbia or will at least enable the president thus to ex cx extend extend tend It In my judgment all laws pro providing providing viding for or the Ute temporary employment ment of clerks should hereafter contain a pro provision provision provision vision that tt they be b selected under the civil service enice law lawIt lawIt It is bs important to have Me thle this system ob oh obtain obtain tain tam at home but bV it is I even more im important ImportAnt important to have it applied a rigidly in our insular possession pos Not hot n office should be filled in the Philippines or Porto Ports Rico with any regard to the mans par partisan partisan partisan affiliations or services with any an regard to the political social or 04 which he may have at a t his command con in short heed should b be paid to alts nothing save Ave the mans own character and capacity i t I and the needs of Pt the service I I I Th at f these islands I should be as wholly free from the tho sus suspicion j 1 1 of partisan politics as the admin administration n of the army and navy All A that we ask ak from the public servant ut jp the I I Philippines or Ports Porto Por o Rico is that he e re reflect reI 1 I fleet honor on his country cotry by 11 way In la which he makes mak that rule a R 1 benefit to the th peoples who have some under it This is all that we should ask and we cannot afford aiford to be con taut with less The merit system is simply one method of securing honest and efficient adminis administration admi ls of the government and hi long IORg run ran the sole BOle ju ef tin doy ny tyse of government lies Des in lu its Itself both honest and t Reorganization of V Consular Service The Tb consular C service is II now BOW I under the provisions previsions provi of a law Jaw p m in 1836 1856 which is id entirely inadequate to ex existing exIsting existing conditions c The Interest shown I by jw so many IRany commercial bodies through trough throughout out the country is ill th tite te reorganization of 0 I the service is heartily commended to your yourI I attention Several bills providing for a aDeW aI I new DeW consular ular con service have in recent yes years j been submitted to the congress congre a They ate ateI I based upon the just principle that ap appointments I to the service should be made madet t only after a practical test teat of the appU applicants cants fitness a that promotions Should be governed by trustworthiness adaptability and the zeal in the performance p nee of Vhf duty and that the tenure of office be unaffected by partisan an considerations The guardianship and fostering fo of our rapidly expanding foreign commerce the protection of American citizens ns resorting I to foreign countries in lb lawful pursuit of I their affairs allaire and the maintenance of tb the dignity of the nation Uon abroad a r ad combine I to make it essential that our consuls should be men of character V knowledge and enterprise It is true that The Uie ser ear service vice is la now in iii the main ninin efficient but a oJ standard of e e cannot C be b perma permanently permanently needy maintained until u lI tJ the principles set forth in tile the bis Cere Submitted to the congress on this subject su J ct are enacted enact nac Into law V |
