as would best secure the ends in view. The position of chief examiner demands a certain amount of executive ability, a qualifi tion that, in the opinion of many, could not be tested in a competi tive examination; an opinion that has been instrumental in placing executive positions mainly in the exempt or non-competitive schedules. The Commission believed that such opinion is not well founded, and by obtaining from each applicant a full account of his education and subsequent business career, with names of persons connected with or cognizant of the same, and by procuring from the latter parties, confirmation of the statements and answers to special and carefully prepared queries, there were gathered data that being submitted separately to three highly competent and disinterested judges, were marked by them relatively, and under the term "general competency," without knowledge on the part of each of the judges of the markings of the other two. The result of the examination was the selection from the three competitors standing highest on the eligible list of Mr. Charles S. Fowler, of Ithaca, who has been appointed for the usual probationary period, beginning January 1, 1896, with the belief that he will fully justify such selection and the grounds and methods on which it rests. The only drawback to the satisfaction of the Commission on this result, is that it has been deprived of the continued services of Mr. Carmody, who has highly commended himself by the able and faithful discharge of his official duties during the year, and who, in his return to private life, carries with him the esteem of all the members of the Commission. Popular Misconceptions. While there is yet, on the part of many, ignorance of the pur pose of the Civil Service Law and the methods by which its objects are attained, such ignorance of it and prejudice against the system have been largely overcome. The practicability of the examinations has been questioned, and it has also been said that the system favored those who had been so fortunate as to have had a high school or college education. In answer to this objection are printed herewith lists of questions which have been used in various examinations the past year, and a glance at the eligible lists and of the educational opportunities of those who have won appointments is a sufficient disclaimer. The fact, as shown, is that it is a thoroughly American system under which every citizen has an equal chance. This question is more fully discussed in Chief Examiner Carmody's report printed herewith, to which we respectfully call attention. Conclusion. In conclusion, the Commission of 1895, desires to express its thanks to you for the cordial co-operation given to its efforts to advance and enforce the Civil Service Law. The law creating the Commission places the full power in the hands of the executive, making the Commission a merely advisory board. Except, therefore, that the chief executive is in harmony with the spirit of the law, no advancement is possible, and if he is not in such harmony the law may be practically nullified. It is, therefore, as an advisory board that we ask to express our gratification that our suggestions have uniformly been accepted, and our recommendations, without exception, given force by executive approval. that a great advance has been made and that creditable work has been done during the past year, which we believe will be found a Feeling most important one in the history of the Civil Service Law, we beg to thank you for the strong support you have given to all our efforts. Respectfully, WILLARD A. COBB, SILAS W. BURT, WILLARD D. McKINSTRY. · Commissioners. APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. 1. CHIEF EXAMINERS' ANNUAL REPORT. 2. CHIEF EXAMINERS' SPECIAL REPORT ON INVESTIGATION OF THE ROCHESTER CIVIL SERVICE BOARD. 2. LIST OF DEATHS, PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS IN, AND REMOVALS AND RESIGNATIONS FROM, THE PUBLIC SERVICE, REPORTED SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL REPORT. APPENDIX E. 1. AMENDMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE RULES. 2. AMENDMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION. 3. REQUESTS FOR CHANGES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION, DENIED. APPENDIX F. 1. AMENDMENTS TO CITY REGULATIONS, APPROVED. 2. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CITY REGULATIONS, DISAPPROVED. 3. CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN, APPROVED. |