On November 2, 1894, messengers, assistant messengers, plant-mounters and folders were added to the list, by order of the President. These numbered 117.

On July 1, 1895, having been taught by the experience evolved under the satisfactory operation of previous Presidential orders classifying positions in the Department, and having become fully convinced that the business of the Government could be properly conducted only by a system and a discipline such as obtained in a private business, the chief and assistant chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, all chiefs and assistant chiefs of all divisions, experts, artists, state statistical agents; microscopists, assistant microscopists, taggers, stockexaminers, clerks and agents of the Bureau of Animal Industry, numbering 754 persons, were, by the order of the Presi-dent of the United States, brought into the classified service.

On May 6, 1896, by the same process, all persons assigned to do any kind of clerical work were brought into the classified service, and on June 10, 1896, all persons doing any kind of classified service work not previously brought into the classified service were then included; so that the private secretary to the Secretary of Agriculture is the only person excepted from the Civil Service rules in that Department, who is not a mere manual laborer.

It is only fair to state, in this connection, that the first private secretary employed by the present head of the Department of Agriculture was furnished him by a political friend and that after a short service that private secretary resigned the position, which remained vacant for more than a year, when the present incumbent, Mr. John Nordhouse, of Chicago, Ill., an expert stenographer and typewriter, was selected from the classified service. His appointment was made because of his merit and fidelity as a stenographer and typewriter to the Secretary, during a service of nearly two years, in which he had proved his worth, industry, discretion and efficiency.

Reviewing the last four years, we find the status of the classified service in the Department of Agriculture as follows:

March 4, 1893, there were two thousand four hundred and ninety-seven (2.497) men and women upon the pay rolls of the Department. But on November 1, 1896, there were only two thousand two hundred and seventeen (2,217) on the rolls; that is notwithstanding an increased amount of work-there

had been a reduction in the force of two hundred and eighty (280).

In the classified service, March 4, 1893, there were 698. Of that number there were excepted from competitive examination 80, subject to non-competitive examination 12, total 92 ; leaving subject to competitive examination 606.

On November 1, 1896, there were in the classified service 1,658, excepted from competitive examination 1, leaving subject to competitive examination 1,657. Thus an increase of 1,051 persons subject to competitive examination has been made between March 4, 1893, and November 1, 1896.

The remaining 556 persons on the rolls of the Department, on the latter date, were laborers, workmen, charwomen, and others in a subordinate grade, not more than 40 of whom were employed in Washington, D. C. A great proportion of these 556 are rainfall and river observers in the Weather Bureau, at salaries ranging from $3 to $25 per month, and their employment is intermittent. Every person ranking as a skilled laborer or skilled workman is classified.

A classified service is disciplined merit. Disciplined merit renders a steady and efficient service, and steady and efficient service is economy.

Good government is the chief conservator of the welfare of all legitimate business and gainful undertakings. It must, therefore, if it is to be made better and perpetuated, be itself administered in harmony with business principles and methods. Just government is economical-not wasteful; frugal, and not extravagant. An ounce of economy in executive affairs is worth more than a pound of revenue. More economy, through a judiciously organized and efficiently directed departmental service, will bestow upon this Government and American citizenship far greater benefits than more revenue

By the aid of a completely classified service to which there is no ingress, save through competitive examinations by the United States Civil Service Commission, the Department of Agriculture-the smallest and youngest of the Executive Departments-has demonstrated the truth that the Civil Service law, regulations and rules, vigorously carried out, are the best forces for economy yet tested in this form of Government. In four years' trial of the merit system more than two millions of dollars have been saved to cover back into the Treasury

out of appropriations made during that period for that Department. And as employees become more skillful, more expert and adept from experience in the service, the labor-cost of administration will continue to decline. My successor will find a fairly well equipped and decently disciplined force at his command, and the members of that force from the highest to the lowest will, as a rule, prove their allegiance to their duties by constant and efficient industry. Thus it will be easy to continue, proportionately with the growth of the Department of Agriculture, a reduction of expenditures and an enhancement of the value of its work in behalf of that advanced and successful agriculture upon which all other callings depend for existence.

Sneeringly the practical politician denounces Civil Service Reform as an illusion of doctrinaires, theorists and schoolmen -a theory from Utopia. But what great movement for the elevation and improvement of humanity ever came from any other than a scholary or thoughtful source? And can there be a more sincere tribute to the merit system in the public service than its vituperation by those who have no merit? Only those political pirates who by retrospection, introspection and prospection are convinced that with a firmly established merit system in the civil service of municipal, state and federal government their calling as plunderers of the public has been abolished, now openly denounce the reform. Therefore, it will win its way to greater victories for honesty, economy and efficiency, and its triumphs will be equally enjoyed by all good citizens upon whom rest the responsibilities and burdens of maintaining for this Republic a Government which "will sell to no man " and "will not deny to any man, either Justice or Right."

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

National Civil-Service Reform League.

I.

The name of this organization shall be the National Civil Service Reform League.

II.

The object of the National Civil Service Reform League shall be to promote the purposes and to facilitate the correspondence and the united action of the Civil Service Reform Associations.

III.

The League shall consist of all the Civil Service Reform Associations in the United States which signify their willingness to become members thereof. Any association hereafter expressing such willingness shall become a member of the League upon its being accepted as such by the League or the Executive Committee. Any member of any such association may be present at any meeting of the League and take part in the debates or discussions as the by-laws may provide.

IV.

At any meeting of the League, each association belonging to it shall be entitled to one vote upon every question coming before the League; such vote may be cast by a personal representative designated by each association, or by proxy, as the by-laws may provide. If no such designation be made the delegates from such association present at such meeting, ro a majority of them, may cast the vote of such association.

V.

The officers of the League shall be a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and nine Vice-Presidents; and there shall be a General Committee and an Executive Committee. The officers and the committees shall hold office until their successors are appointed or elected.

VI.

The President and Vice-Presidents shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the League.

The Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen, and may be removed, by the General Committee.

The General Committee shall be chosen annually, and shall consist of one delegate from each association belonging to the League; and one additional delegate for every two hundred members, or major fraction thereof, of such association as certified by its secretary. Each association shall elect its own delegates in such manner as it may determine.

The members of the Executive Committee shall be exofficio members of the General Committee.

Any member of the General Committee may act by proxy. The General Committee shall keep a record of its proceedings, and shall make a report to the League at the annual meeting. A vacancy in any office, except that of Vice-President, may be filled by the General Committee for the remainder of the term.

The General Committee may delegate to the Executive Committee any of its powers; provided, however, that it may at any time resume the powers so delegated.

The Executive Committee shall consist of twenty-one members to be elected annually by the General Committee and shall have power to fix its own quorum. And any member of the Executive Committee may act by proxy.

VII.

The General Committee may, subject to these articles, manage the affairs of the League, direct and dispose of the