During the nineteenth century, civil service was based on the Spoils System. The Spoils System (patronage) is the policy of giving government jobs to political party workers who have supported a victorious candidate. The practice began during Thomas Jefferson presidency. At the height of patronage every administration was marked by massive removals of officials working for the departing administration. As a matter of fact, political sympathy and partisan activity were required as a condition of appointment. Eventually the Spoils System was associated with corruption and a reform came about. A Rhode Island Representative by the name of Thomas Jenckes introduced reform legislation to Congress in 1865, but it was not approved. Demands for reform increased after the political scandals of the Grant administration.
In 1871, George Curtis organized the Civil Service Reform League. That eventually led to more people recognizing the need for reform, and then came the Pendleton Act. The Pendleton Act of 1883 was the first comprehensive national reform program. The Act established the United States Civil Service Commission. This act classified that government jobs were now being applied for and given to those whose abilities fit the best position.
This act classified certain jobs, removed them from the patronage ranks, and once again established the Civil Service Commission to administer a system based on merit rather than political connections.
The Senate also allowed the applicants to enter a federal position above the lowest level.
The Pendleton Act (Civil Service Act) also accelerated politics and administration. President Jimmy Carter abolished the Civil Service Commission and divided its functions among the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, and the Office of Personnel Management.
The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for administering a nationwide merit system for federal employment, recruitment, exams and training.
Modern civil service not only refers to federal administrators but also a set of standards by which they are selected. Now, civil service commissions are also bound by civil rights and affirmative action laws.
The Civil rights Act of 1965 enacted by Lyndon Johnson made companies hire and promote minorities.
Now, the federal government prohibits discrimination by any employer based on sex, religion, national origin, age, race, and disability. There are three commissioners appointed by the mayor, city manager or board of county commissioners, and the appointed are not subject to confirmation.
At the time of appointment, no more than two of the commissioners may be of the same political party.
The duties of modern civil service commissions include: making rules for operation of the civil service system that are consistent with state laws; giving practical tests to determine the capability of persons examined to perform duties of the position sought; conducting investigations and preparation of reports, hearing and determining appeals or complaints, record keeping and approve of payrolls.
|
|
|
Civil service commissions provide for, develop, and hold competitive tests to determine relative qualifications of candidates and, as a result of the testing process, prepare eligibility tests. They also recruit, hire, suspend, and dismiss employees. The most important duty is to conduct competitive exams to determine merit, efficiency, and fitness.
Vocabulary
A victorious candidate ,
Accelerated
Appointment
Commissioner , ( )
Comprehensive national reform program ,
Demand for smth -
Eligibility ,
Merit ,
Partisan activity
Payroll
Recruitment ,
Removal ,
Spoils System " ", , ()
To be approved
To be associated with smth -
To come about ,
To conduct investigation
To enact
To fit ,
To hear and determine appeals or complaints
To hire
To keep records
To prepare reports ,
To refer ,
