I have in contemplation, when I find my man, to guard a possible vacancy, temporary or otherwise, in my own position as general superintendent. That is to say, an intelligent man with the character above named could easily relieve the general super. intendent of some of his desk work, which is of a delicate and somewhat intricate character, and so be prepared to tide over an exigency of the absence of the general superintendent. I think I should be able to supply this place satisfactorily if the Civil Service Commission would give their consent for me to make the selection and have a non-competitive examination, for a salary of a thousand dollars. Trusting I have answered your inquiry fully and satisfactorily,and that I may have an early and favorable response to my request, I am, Yours truly. Z. R. BROCKWAY, At a meeting of the Commission held June 7, 1892, it was Resolved, That the secretary be directed to reply to the letter of Superintendent Brockway, under date of April 12, 1892, requesting that the position of "School secretary" in his institution be classified in the non-competitive schedule, and inform him that the commissioners are not satisfied that the office cannot be satisfactorily filled by a competitive test and that the application is therefore denied. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, ALBANY, N. Y., June 15, 1892. ( To the Honorable the Civil Service Commission of the State of New York: GENTLEMEN.— In connection with the recent enumeration work in this office there remains some typewriting work in collating names from the enumeration returns of public institutions of the State which we desire to complete, that the names of all inhabitants belonging to the cities and towns of the State may be brought together for the purpose of the completion of the volumes of the returns for binding, to be deposited when so completed in the State Library. This work can be completed more speedily and more satisfactorily by the employment of not exceeding four of the persons who were heretofore engaged in the temporary work of making up the returns as reported to the Legislature in April. The familiarity acquired by these persons with the enumeration rolls warrants us in asking that your Commission and the Governor permit this office to secure at once the temporary service of not exceeding four persons, whose services are now available and who were formerly engaged on this work. We trust that our request in this matter may be speedily granted. Very respectfully. FRANK RICE, Secretary of State. At a meeting of the Commission held June 30, 1892, the above letter was ordered filed and the secretary was directed to reply thereto, saying that the Commission is of the opinion that it has no power to grant the request, and it believes that suitable persons for the work mentioned can be secured from the present eligible lists. COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, ALBANY, June 14, 1892. ( To the Honorable Civil Service Commission, Albany, N. Y.: } GENTLEMEN. I hereby respectfully request that the position of entry clerk in this Department be exempted from competitive examination. The entry clerk keeps the accounts of all moneys received and paid out, and enters all warrants, checks and receipts for moneys. He assists the warrant clerk in the preparation of warrants, and performs the duties of warrant clerk during the absence of the latter, and he must be familiar with legislation authorizing the expenditure of the funds of the State, and have a practical knowledge concerning the numerous intricate questions daily arising in regard to the work at his desk. The appointee to this position must have the absolute and unqualified confidence of the head of the Department. His previous associations, training and habits must be known. Ability to pass the most rigid civil service examination furnishes but one of the many necessary requirements in order to acceptably fill this place. I would be pleased if your honorable board would give this application your early and favorable consideration. Very truly yours. FRANK CAMPBELL, Comptroller. At a meeting of the Commission held July 22, 1892, the above letter was read, and the secretary was directed to address a letter to the Comptroller to the effect that the present Commission upon the occasion of a similar application by his predecessor in office, Comptroller Wemple, examined at length into the propriety of the proposed change in classification of the office of entry clerk, and became satisfied that the same was properly classified in the competitive schedule; that no reasons are urged by Comptroller Campbell in addition to those advanced by Comptroller Wemple, except that "He assists the warrant clerk in the preparation of warrants, and performs the duties of the warrant clerk during the absence of the latter," which is not deemed substantial in view of the fact that the office of warrant clerk is itself subject to competitive test; that the Commission is of the opinion that the office of entry clerk can be filled satisfactorily by competitive test, and if the Comptroller feels that the present eligible list of the Commission does not afford him a class of persons sufficiently skilled for the position named in his communication, and it is his desire to have a special eligible list prepared of persons who shall show themselves possessed of the requisite qualifications, the Commission will take immediate steps for holding the examination with a view to obtaining such a list. COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, ALBANY, June 29, 1892. To the Honorable the New York State Civil Service Commission, Albany, N. Y.: GENTLEMEN. Since the enactment of the original law creating the tax upon inheritances, the work devolving upon this department in the collection of such tax has been performed by the clerks in charge of the collection of the tax upon corporations. By reason of the additional duties and responsibilities imposed upon this department by chapter 399 of the Laws of 1892, in relation to taxable transfers of property and the constantly increasing importance of the work relating to the collection of the tax upon inheritances, as well as corporations, I deem it desirable and necessary that the two should be separated, and, hereafter, all the duties relating to taxable transfers should be placed in charge of two clerks to be known as the inheritance tax clerk and the assistant inheritance tax clerk. The State derives a revenue from the tax upon inheritances of more than $1,000,000 per annum, and I believe by a rigid and proper enforcement of the present law the amount can be largely increased. The duties devolving upon this Department in the enforcement of this law are complicating and exacting, and the selection of the proper persons for the performance of these duties must be made with extreme care. The persons selected to fill these positions must necessarily be familiar with the whole system of the taxation of transfers of property. They will be called upon to interpret the numerous and delicate legal questions that arise, and will be required to examine and pass upon the quarterly reports of the surrogates, treasurers and county clerks, and to be able to determine therefrom whether an estate is taxable, and the amount of the tax correctly ascertained; and in cases where it appears that a tax is due and unpaid, to direct, when necessary, the appropriate legal proceeding for the collection thereof. I desire to fill these positions with persons whose fidelity and integrity have been tested, and who, by reason of their previous services in this department, have shown themselves to be possessed of the qualifications necessary for the proper performance of the duties they will be called upon to perform. I, therefore, respectfully request that the positions of inheritance tax clerk and assistant inheritance tax clerk be exempt from competitive examination by your honorable board. I desire to make the change herein stated as soon as practicable, and trust that your board will give this application your early and favorable consideration. Very respectfully yours. FRANK CAMPBELL, Comptroller. At a meeting of the Commission held July 22, 1892, it was Resolved, That the secretary is directed to reply to the communication of Comptroller Campbell, as follows: The Commission finds that the chief tax clerk, first assistant tax clerk, corresponding tax clerk, corporation tax clerk and assistant corporation tax clerk are exempt from competitive examination. The Commission is not convinced that the number of exemptions in the tax department in your office should be increased. The Commission is also informed that the corresponding tax clerk is now performing the duties of inheritance tax clerk. This fact would seem to indicate that possibly there is pressing need for additional exemptions. It may be that there are reasons for the exemption of inheritance tax clerk, but the commission fails to perceive any sufficient ground for the exemption of an assistant inheritance tax clerk. It may be that you will be able to suggest a reclassification of your tax clerks that will give exemption to the inheritance tax clerk without increasing the number of exemptions in your office in the aggregate. The Commission is of the opinion that the offices of coresponding tax clerk and assistant corporation tax clerk should be restored to the competitive schedule, and if you should suggest a reclassification, with such changes, along with the exemption of chief inheritance tax clerk, the Commission would carefully consider it. Action of Commission Since Last Annual Report Affecting MAYOR'S OFFICE, SCHENECTADY, N. Y., New York Civil Service Commission, Albany, N. Y.: } GENTLEMEN. Herewith inclosed I send you the regulations prescribed by me as mayor for the admission of persons into the public service of the city of Schenectady. I would be pleased to have your approval at once, if they are satisfactory to you, so that we could at once begin to work under them. I am, very respectfully yours. EVERETT SMITH, Mayor. CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF SCHENECTADY. Pursuant to the statutes of this State to regulate and improve the Civil Service thereof, I, Everett Smith, mayor of the city of Schenectady, hereby prescribe the following regulations for the admission of persons into the public service of the city of |