2l6 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
or better than other people, but because they make a specialty of examina- tions, and, if intelligent, learn by experience the fittest method of examina- tion.
I often hear the argument from educated and intelligent people that the civil-service system is an evil. They admit it to be a necessary one to pre- vent greater abuses, but they think that the system of examinations is scholastic, and ill-adapted to attain the objects of the statute. In this I am convinced they are mistaken. I do not mean to say that civil-service exami- nations have always been of the most appropriate character. There has been a great deal learned in the administration of the system. Undoubtedly in December last it was much better administered in the city of New York than it was when the system was first introduced. I believe the same to be true of the administration of the federal service. I do, however, recognize the danger that examiners will fall into ruts, and that heads of departments will fail to give them the proper information as to the duties of the office for which a complete examination is to be had. It is to avoid these evils that the interest and cooperation of all intelligent students of social science are of the greatest value
CENTRAL STATES. MICHIGAN.
Michigan may be taken as an example of states where, in a very high degree, worthy traditions have strong influence on appoint- ments. The prisons are managed by boards appointed by the gov- ernor, with the consent of the senate. Both political parties must be represented in these boards. These boards appoint wardens and have power to remove for cause, after an opportunity of hearing upon written charges. Subordinates are appointed by the wardens, subject to approval of the boards.
lu the hospitals for the insane the boards appoint the superintend- ents, and they appoint their subordinates.
It is claimed in all the state institutions that promotions are "based on merit." Nothing like a civil-service examination is required, except in the case of attendants, where graduation from the training school is requisite for future promotions. Of course a "merit system" without initial free competitive examination is not the genuine article. The jails and other local institutions are largely under control of party leaders, but the visitations of the agents of the state board and public opinion mitigate the evils of this system. Complaints in relation to the jails, the police courts, and the sheriffs are very frequent, and the evils are charged to "politics."
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