Higher grade employes, better service, reduction in the number employed, and large economy in expenditure, are among the prominent results already partially realized, to become obvious in due time. The relief of public officials from importunities for place, and protec tion of employes from political assessments, are accomplished facts. Meanwhile a reasonable degree of patience on the part of the public, and intelligent support by the Legislature, full and honest criticism by the press, and the prompt correction of any discovered errors by those intrusted with the practical duties of the reform, and absolute good faith in its application, will certainly and in the natural evolution of results bring the system theoretically and practically to the complete and efficient agency for good expected from it by the friends of good government. This report would be incomplete if the Commission should fail to refer to the relation of your Excellency's predecessor, Governor Cleveland, to Civil Service reform in this State. As the official head of the system under the law, he has done more than merely to give perfunctory executive assent. His official action and the weight of his influence have alike been affirmatively exerted to promote the The Commission has received from him at all times most courteous consideration, and in its efforts to apply and enforce the law has been sustained by his cordial support from the time of its appointment to the close of his administration. It is only justice to the retiring Governor to say that the successful establishment of Civil Service methods in the State of New York during his administration, and the acceptance of the reform by the public, are largely due to his intelligent interest in the subject, his fidelity to its principles, and his prompt and courageous action through all the stages of its progress. In its last annual report the Commission referred to the value of the services of the Chief Examiner, and to his diligent and discreet performance of official duty. It is only just again to commend his conscientious and very efficient work, and to make mention of the great assistance he has rendered the Commission, and the reform in which it is engaged. All which is respectfully submitted. JOHN JAY, AUGUSTUS SCHOONMAKER, APPENDIX A. CHIEF EXAMINER'S REPORT. STATE OF NEW YORK, } OFFICE OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, NEW YORK. Hon. JOHN JAY, President New York Civil Service Commission, Albany, N. Y.: SIR-I have the honor to submit the following report in regard to the examinations held during the past year and also in regard to such other duties as during that time have been devolved upon me by the Commission. COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS. The first competitive examinations under the rules were begun at Albany on January 24, 1884. They were five in number and respectively for the positions of first, second and third grade clerks, messengers, orderlies and prison guards. Although ample notice of these examinations was given by advertisement in all the Albany journals, only forty competitors presented themselves. The greater number of these were persons who had applied for positions in the State departments, in the belief that all the heads thereof who took office on the first day of January would make their appointments before the rules went into effect upon the fourth day of that month. In some cases the original applications of these aspirants were turned over to this Commission, so that probably not more than one-quarter of the competitors at this examination were original applicants under the rules. This paucity of applications seems at first sight inexplicable, but it has been experienced in the early stages of the merit system of appointment wherever it has been established. It was so in Great Britain, in the Customs service at New York and under the United States rules of 1872 and 1883. This early reluctance to enter for competition originates in the general ignorance of the methods, combined with a lack of faith in their sincerity of purpose and fairness in their execution. I have heard at various times many expressions of this incredulity, which is not attributable to any lack in the system, but to the long existence of patronage as the only means of replenishing the public service. Personal importunity and selfishness and party influence and sub servience had been for so long a time the potent, indeed the sole factors in appointments, that the people were educated to the belief that their only chances to enter their own service were by a concentration of these ignoble forces upon the appointing power. This low view of the public service had so long obtained that comparatively few could believe that any change for the better had been accomplished. It has been found, however, that each successive competition attracts a larger number of applicants and the process of popular education on this point will gradually extend until the whole people will recognize the restoration of their equal rights to public employment. Although there were some fairly competent candidates in these first examinations there was not such a general competition as the Commission had desired. Nearly all these first candidates resided at Albany or its vicinity and the remainder of the State had no representation. Preparations were accordingly made for a series of examinations in April, and simultaneously at Brooklyn, New York, Kingston, Albany, Plattsburgh, Utica, Watertown, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Elmira and Ithaca. It was thought that this arrangement would accommodate all parts of the State, so that competitors from every locality could attend the examinations without great expense. The main objection to examinations for the same grade being held at several places is the difficulty of obtaining a uniform grading of the competitors by the distinct boards of examiners. This difficulty was surmounted by having the general board of examiners prepare all the questions which were the same for all the places. At each of these there were appointed as representatives of the Commission, two citizens of such prominence and high character as would be to all concerned a guaranty that impartiality and fairness would govern all the proceedings. The representatives had charge of all local preparations, received the competitors and distributed the questions, made all necessary explanations and settled all questions and disputes. The papers of questions with full instructions for the guidance of the representatives were sent to them in sealed parcels so as to be received the day before the examinations began, which was set for April 24. Immediately after the examinations ended, the representatives returned to the Commission under seal all the papers which were submitted to the general board of examiners for marking and the grading of the competitors. A uniform standard of gradation was thus insured while the labor of marking and grading was reduced to a minimum. This plan of procedure was in all respects satisfactory, and should be followed in all general examinations held hereafter. Although none of the gentlemen who acted as representatives had had any experience in such examinations not an error or delay occurred in any of their proceedings. At these examinations one hundred and fifty-four candidates appeared, all of whom completed the tests, except three, who with drew before the close. From the results of these examinations, ample eligible lists were prepared for filling vacancies in all the grades concerned. There had been previously held on February 23, a series of examinations at Albany for the positions of messenger, orderly and prison guard, which were attended by forty-seven competitors. The most interesting competitive examinations, as dealing with professional qualifications, were those to fill vacancies in the Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane. The trustees of that institution in the exercise of their discretion under the twenty-first rule, offered for open competition the positions of first and third assistant physician at annual salaries respectively of three thousand and one thousand dollars, with maintenance in both cases. The first of these positions is in function and in compensation the highest yet presented for competition in this country. With a view to the attraction of those best fitted to serve the State in these important places, the Commission removed the restrictions as to residence and citizenship imposed by the twenty-fifth rule. The examining board comprised eight physicians and one professor as follows: Dr. Stephen Smith, chairman. Prof. Henry Drisler, examiner in general education. Dr. James S. Leaming and Dr. Darwin E. Hudson, examiners in general medicine. Dr. Allen McL. Hamilton, examiner in the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nervous system. Dr. Theo. H. Kellogg, examiner'in insanity. Dr. A. Nelson Bell, examiner in preventive medicine. Dr. Lewis Balch, examiner in surgery. Dr. A. E. Macdonald, examiner in administrative qualities. Out of sixteen applicants, thirteen presented themselves for the examination, which was held at the Academy of Medicine in New York on the 22d, 23d and 24th days of October. On the afternoon of the last day, the candidates were examined at the Ward's Island Insane Asylum by Dr. Macdonald. Each candidate was taken separately into one of the asylum wards and required to examine a patient, make a diagnosis of his case, draw up a legal commitment of a lunatic, and to prescribe and perform other clinical duties. As may be deduced from the high professional standing of the several examiners, the examination on each subject was thorough. A stated limit of time was given for answers on each question, the questions being printed, and all answers except some at Ward's Island, being in writing. Two of the candidates withdrew from the competition on the first day. The relative weights given to the several subjects were adjusted as follows for the principal position : 1. General education... 2. General medicine 4 4 3. Anatomy, physiology and pathology of nervous system.. 4 4. Insanity.... 5. Preventive medicine: 5224 25 The two candidates for this position standing above the minimum were marked 82.20 and 71.56, and the higher one received the appointment subject to the usual term of probation, and entered upon his duties about the middle of November. There was only one successful candidate for the lower position, and he has been recently appointed on probation. These examinations attracted the general attention of the medical profession. Their absolute success will depend upon the further test of practical fitness as evinced during the probationary period. NON-COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS. Sixty-one of these for positions in Schedule C have been held to date, a larger part of them for positions in the department of the State Engineer. These latter have been made as practical as possible, as will be evident by the two following schemes. FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT ENGINEER ON CANALS. 1. Arithmetic. 2. Geometry. 3. Applied or practical geometry. 4. Plane trigonometry. 5. Mensuration. 6. Use of instruments. 7. Mechanics. 8. Practical construction. FOR ADDITIONAL LEVELMAN ON CANALS. 1. Arithmetic, including evolution. 2. Plane trigonometry. 3. Mensuration. 4. Use and adjustment of instrument. 5. Tabulation of field-notes. 6. Making profile draughts. For rodmen, the subjects were more simple, and for an engineer on the "Hudson River Improvement" work, the examination was largely in hydrographic surveying. The experience in these examinations led me to suggest to State Engineer Sweet, that the positions of assistant engineer, levelman and rodman be transferred to Schedule B, all examinations thereafter being competitive. In this opinion Mr. Sweet heartily acquiesced, and the positions named have recently been placed in Schedule B, by resolution of the Commission. In an examination for the position of female assistant physician at the Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane, in addition to ques |