The officials and clerks - over one hundred and twenty thousand in all - by whom the people's business in the administration of government is carried on, constitute the Civil Service. About five thousand of these are appointed by the President, alone or with the consent of the Senate; about fifteen thousand under what is known as the "Civil Service Rules;" but the great body of officeholders is appointed by heads of departments.

Those employed in the civil service have always been theoretically entitled to serve "during good behavior," but practically, until within a few years, their positions have depended upon their allegiance to the political party in power.

In 1883 Congress passed a law for the improvement of the civil service of the United States. This act provides for the appointment by the President of three commissioners to have general charge of filling the vacancies in the civil service department, and stipulates that the fitness of all applicants for all subordinate positions in the departments at Washington, and in all custom-houses and postoffices having as many as 50 officeholders, shall be tested by examinations, and the positions assigned with reference to the capacity, education and character of the applicants, regardless of political preferences.

According to this, no absolute appointment to office can be made until the applicant has proven his or her ability to fill the position satisfactorily by six months' service; no person habitually using intoxicating beverages to excess shall be appointed to, or retained in any office; no recommendation which may be given by any Senator or member of the House of Representatives, except as to character and residence, shall be considered by the examiners; men and women shall receive the same pay for the same work.

The general competitive examinations for admission to the service are limited to the following subjects: 1. Orthography, penmanship and copying. 2. Arithmetic - fundamental rules, fractions and percentage.

3. Interest, discount, and the elements of bookkeeping and of accounts4. Elements of the English language, letter writing, and the proper con. struction of sentences. 5. Elements of the geography, history and government of the United States.

A standing of 65 per cent, in the first three branches is necessary to qualify an applicant for appointment. Where special qualifications are necessary for specific work the examinations are adapted to test the knowledge of the applicant in that particular line.

No applicant will be examined who cannot furnish proof that he is of good moral character and in good health.

There is a board of examiners in each of the principal cities of the United States and several examinations are held each year. Applications must be made on the regular ' 'application paper," which can be obtained of the commissioners, or any board of examiners.

Several of the States have adopted the principles laid down in the civil service act and applied them to the State civil service, and it is probably only a question of time when civil service reform will be consummated throughout the United States and the public service will thereby be rendered much more efficient.