PHILADELPHIA-Examinations are provided by the so-called "Bullitt bill." Persons admitted to competition must, however, be satisfactory to the appointing officer, and the examinations are conducted by boards within the departments, so that in actual operation the system amounts practically to nothing.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., and SEATTLE, WASH., have rules applying to all branches of the city service, recently placed in operation through charter amendments adopted by popular vote. Similar rules are in operation as the result of charter amendments coming from legislative enactment or from charter commissions in Columbus, Ohio, and New-Haven, Conn. A set of rules is also provided for by the charter of Indianapolis, but the system in that city has been temporarily set aside by the arbitrary action of the Mayor in 1896. In Portland, Ore., and Louisville, Ky., there are rules applying to certain departments, but not to all.

NEW-YORK STATE-The original act followed closely the form of the Federal act. It provided for the classification of all State offices and for the various departments of cities of 50,000 and over. The application of the system to cities, however, was permissive merely. In 1884 the latter provision was made mandatory and was amended to include all cities in the State. In 1894 a salutary method of enforcement was provided by an enactment forbidding Controllers or other fiscal officers to pay the salaries of persons appointed in violation of the rules, and making those officers personally responsible for improper disbursements of the sort. In 1897 the act commonly known as the "Black Act" was adopted, dividing the control of examinations between the Civil Service boards and appointing officers; providing that a rating of not more than half the total should be given for "merit" by the regular examiners, and that those passing this test should be given a further rating for "fitness," not exceeding one-half the total, and to be determined by the officers themselves. Finally, on March 31, 1898, an act was passed the effect of which was the repeal of the "Black Act" in all cities and the restoration of the system of 1883-'84. In this act it was also provided that no removal should be made from a position subject to competitive examination except for reasons to be stated in writing, and after an opportunity for explanation had been granted to the person affected. The Legislature of 1899 passed an act, which became a law, with the signature of Governor Roosevelt, on April 19, the effect of which was to repeal the "Black Act" outright and to re-establish completely, both in the State and in the cities, the original plan of 1883, with certain extensions and improvements the necessity of which experience had shown. The general Civil Service statutes of the State were reinforced very materially by an amendment to the State Constitution prepared by the Constitutional Convention of 1894 and adopted by the people. This provision is as follows: "Appointments and promotions in the Civil Service of the State, and of all the civil divisions thereof, including towns and villages, shall be made according to merit and fitness, to be ascertained so far as practicable by examinations which so far as practicable shall be competitive; provided, however, that soldiers and sailors of the late Civil War shall be entitled to preference in appointment and promotion, without regard to their standing on any list from which appointments or promotions shall be made." The courts of the State have construed this provision broadly, and as a part result all non-competitive examinations, except for positions in State hospitals and asylums, have been abolished. The original rules and classification of New-York City were drawn under the permissive act of 1883 and under the supervision of a commission of experts appointed by Mayor Edson in 1884. Rules were adopted in the same manner and at about the same time in Buffalo and Brooklyn. The New-York City Board was replaced in 1889 by Tammany Commissioners. During the five years following the administration of the rules was more or less imperfect. Under Mayor Strong the old Commission was restored, and the membership of the Board increased to five. In 1896, through the action of this Commission, approved by Mayor Strong, the application of the rules was greatly extended, until, excepting heads of departments, not more than sixty positions were omitted from the competitive classification. The system of labor registration was also adopted. There were approximately 24,000 positions in the Civil Service on Janlary 1, 1898, of which 6,000 in the educational department were subject to a separate ¡ystem. The classifications included 6,000 in the police force, also subject to a separate ystem, 5,000 in the labor service under the registration system and 7,000 in the genral competitive schedules. The competitive schedules embraced positions of every character, both clerical, technical and professional. Examinations were conducted by board of nine examiners, chosen with especial reference to their expert ability, and he examinations generally were of the most practical character. The rules required hat the higher places should be filled by promotion, unless the appointing officer cerified to the Civil Service Commission that none in the lower grades were fit for the igher duties to be performed. Through careful work the system had been well deeloped and placed on a highly satisfactory basis. The Greater New-York charter rovided that the rules in operation in New-York, Brooklyn and Long Island City up o January 1, 1898, should be continued in full force until new rules were promulgated. fayor Van Wyck appointed as Civil Service Commissioners Messrs. Charles H. Knox, William N. Dyckman and Robert E. Deyo (later succeeded by Alexander T. Mason), ut the new rules were not promulgated until March 5, on which date they received he approval of the Mayor. These rules covered all employes of the greater citypproximately 41,000-the number in the various classes being in proportion to those iven above for New-York alone in 1898. They differed radically from the rules reviously in force, chiefly in the fact that they excepted from examination a greatly ncreased number of positions, and that they removed the labor service from the cometitive registration system. A great deal of laxity was permitted in the matter of

temporary appointments in the absence of eligible lists; persons dismissed at any time within three years were permitted to be appointed without examination; the scope of selection from the eligible list was materially broadened. The operation of the charter repealed the "Black Act" in New-York City on January 1, three months before the repeal of that act in the other cities of the State, so that none of the new provisions were framed in the lines of that statute. On July 11, 1899, the charter rules were superseded by rules framed in pursuance of the new law of that year, which were put in force by the State Board after the failure of the Mayor to promulgate them. These restored all of the essential features of the genuine merit system omitted from the charter rules, and are expected in future to keep the city service on a fairly competitive basis open to all citizens. Stringent inhibitions upon payment of salaries to persons improperly appointed, reinforcing those previously in force, add to the effectiveness of the system. Since the adoption of the act of 1899 new rules have been framed for Buffalo, Albany and other large cities, which are well calculated to give effect to the existing constitutional and statutory provisions and that will firmly maintain the "merit system" in these other parts of the State, and on June 16, 1900, through the action of the State Board and Governor Roosevelt the offices in five of these were included: New-York, Kings, Queens, Richmond and Erie.

Foreign Rules.

In all of the principal foreign countries an entrance examination, both mental and physical, is required before appointment in the civil service. The tenure of office is, as a rule, permanent, or during good behavior, and after the employe has become incapacitated by reason of age, length of service or physical infirmity, he is retired with a pension, the amount of which varies, in proportion to length of service, from one-sixth to four-fifths of actual salary. In some countries it is optional with the employe to retire after fifteen years of service, while in other countries from thirty to thirty-five years of service are required before retirement. The salaries paid to clerks and other subordinate employes are lower than those paid by the United States Government; but in the principal countries the salaries of higher officials-such as heads of bureaus and chiefs of divisions-are, as a rule, higher than those paid in the United States. The hours of labor vary in the different countries. In the far Northern as well as in the tropical and semi-tropical countries the hours of labor are short; in nearly all of the countries, as well as in the United States, the hours of postal employes are longer than those of other governmental employes. The time allowed for lunch, the amount of annual leave with pay, and the amount of sick leave with pay, vary in the different countries; in some the time for lunch or rest, or amount of annual leave, is fixed according to the grade of the employe, the higher grade of employes being allowed more time than those of inferior rank; many of the countries are more liberal in regard to sick leave than the United States. An unusually large mumber of holidays is allowed, especially in Oriental countries; these holidays are, as a rule, religious ones-Christmas and New Year's being generally observed in the European countries; in some countries, however, national events are also celebrated. In some countries females are not employed at all, while their employment in other countries is, as a rule, limited to work of teachers, telegraph operators and positions in the postal service. In Morocco salaries are made up from bribes and presents, and employes hold their places so long as they can squeeze enough money out of subordinates to satisfy their superiors.

DECLARATION OF INTENTION.-An alien seeking naturalization as a citizen of the United States must declare on oath before a Circuit or District Court of the United States, or a District or Supreme Court of the Territories, or a court of record of any of the States having common law jurisdiction and a seal and a clerk, at least two years before his admission, that it is, bona fide, his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign State or ruler, and particularly to the one of which he may be at the time a citizen or subject.

OATH ON APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION.-At the time of his application for admission he must also declare on oath, before some one of the courts above specified, "that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he absolutely and entirely renounces and abjures all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty, and particularly, by name, to the prince, potentate, State or sovereignty of which he was before a citizen or subject."

CONDITIONS OF CITIZENSHIP.-It must appear to the satisfaction of the court to which the alien has applied for final admission that he has resided continuously within the United States for at least five years, and in the State or Territory where the court is held at least one year, and that during that time "he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same."

TITLES OF NOBILITY.-If the applicant bears any hereditary title or belongs to any order of nobility, he must make an express renunciation at the time of his application.

SOLDIERS.-Any alien, twenty-one years of age, or over, who has served one year, or over, in the Regular or Volunteer Army of the United States and has been honorably discharged, may, upon application, proof of one year's residence, good moral character and honorable discharge, be admitted a citizen of the United States.

SEAMEN.-Seamen who have declared their intention to become citizens, and who, subsequently to such declaration, have served three years on board a merchant vessel of the United States, may be admitted to citizenship.

NAVY OR MARINE CORPS.-Any alien, twenty-one years of age, or over, who has served five years, or over, in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps and has been honorably discharged, may, upon application, proof of good moral character, five years' service and honorable discharge, be admitted a citizen of the United States.

WIFE.-A wife becomes a citizen by her husband's naturalization, if she might herself be lawfully naturalized.

MINORS. Any alien under the age of twenty-one, who has resided in the United States three years next preceding his twenty-first birthday, and has continued to reside therein up to the time he makes application to be admitted a citizen, may, after he arrives at the age of twenty-one, and after he has resided five years within the United States, including the three years of his minority, be admitted a citizen; but he must make a declaration on oath and prove to the satisfaction of the court that for the two years next preceding it has been his bona fide intention to become a citizen. CHILDREN OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS.-The children of persons who have been duly naturalized, being under twenty-one at the time of the naturalization of their parents, shall, if dwelling in the United States, be considered as citizens.

CITIZENS' CHILDREN BORN ABROAD.-The children of persons who now are or have been citizens of the United States are considered as citizens, though they may be born out of the limits and jurisdiction of the United States.

CHINESE. The Naturalization laws of the United States have never allowed other than "free white persons" and "persons of African nativity or descent" to be naturalized. The naturalization of Chinamen is also expressly prohibited by Section 14, Chapter 126, Laws of 1882.

PROTECTION OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS.-Section 2,000 of the Revised Statutes of the United States expressly declares that "all naturalized citizens of the United States while in foreign countries are entitled to and shall receive from this Government the same protection of person and property which is accorded to native born citizens."

THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.-The right to vote is conferred by the State, naturalization by the United States. In several States aliens who have declared their intentions enjoy the right to vote equally with naturalized or native born citizens. But the Federal Naturalization laws apply to the whole Union alike, and no alien may be naturalized until after five years' residence, except an honorably discharged soldier or a person whose parents have been naturalized while he was under twentyone years of age, as above recited. Even after five years' residence and due naturalization he is not entitled to vote unless the laws of the State confer the privilege upon him.

PENSION LAWS, ETC.

To obtain a pension the applicant must file a claim with the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. In a claim by the soldier he should set forth all his military He should also set forth or naval service, giving dates of enlistment and discharge.

The

In a

the name or nature of all disabilities for which pension is claimed, giving the time when, the place where and the circumstances under which each was contracted. prime requirement to establish a claim under the act of July 14, 1862, usually termed the general law, is to show that the disability for which pension is claimed had its origin while in the service and line of duty; that it has existed as a disabling cause from date of discharge, and now exists in a degree pensionable under the law. claim under the act of June 27, 1890, the essential requirements are: A service of ninety days or more, an honorable discharge therefrom and proof that the disability for which pension is claimed is not due to claimant's own vicious habits, but it need not necessarily be of service origin. In a widow's claim it is necessary to show her legal marriage to the soldier, the date of his death, and, under the general law, that it was due to some cause of service origin. She must also show that she has remained his widow. If there are children of the soldier under sixteen years of age at the date of his death, their names should be given and the date of birth of each clearly shown. If any have died the date should be proved. In a widow's claim under the act of June 27, 1890, the requirement as to service is the same as under an invalid claim, and in addition thereto she must show a legal marriage to the soldier prior to the passage of the act, the fact of soldier's death (but it need not be shown to be due to service), her continued widowhood and that she is without other means of support than her daily labor. The act of May 9, 1900, amending the act of June 27, 1890, gives title to widows who are without means of support other than their daily labor and a net annual income of $250. A minor child's title to pension accrues only on the death or remarriage of the widow, which fact must be shown, in addition to the requirements in widow's claim. A dependent mother must show her relationship to the soldier, his celibacy, that he contributed to her support, that his death was due to some cause of service origin, the date of his death, and, under the general law, that she was dependent upon him at the date of his death. Under the act of June 27, 1890, it is only necessary to show dependence at date of filing claim and since then. A dependent father must show relationship by legal marriage to soldier's mother, the date of soldier's birth and of the mother's death, in addition to the requirements in the mother's claim. Applications rejected by a Board of Pension Surgeons may be reconsidered on the evidence of two physicians that disability exists. Pensions for privates range from $6 to $30 a month in most cases, though $72 a month is granted to those who have lost both feet or both eyes, and $100 a month to those who have lost both hands. The number of pensioners on the rolls in each State and Territory on June 30, 1900, and the total amount paid during the fiscal year ended on that date, was as follows:

The pension agencies are located as follows: Augusta, Me.; Boston, Mass.; Buffalo, N. Y.; Chicago, Ill.: Columbus, Ohio; Concord, N. H.; Des Moines, Iowa; Detroit, Mich.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Louisville, Ky.; Milwaukee, Wis.; NewYork, N. Y.; Philadelphia, Penn.; Pittsburg, Penn.; San Francisco, Cal.; Topeka, Kan.; Washington, D. C. There were added to the rolls during the year the names of 40,645 new pensioners, and the number restored to the rolls was 4,699, making a total of new names added to the rolls of 45,344. The number of pensioners dropped from the rolls during the year was 43,334, showing an increase of 2,010 on the rolls as compared with the close of the fiscal year 1899. The total of 993,529 pensioners on the rolls June 30, 1900, were classified as follows: Widows of Revolutionary soldiers.. Daughters of Revolutionary soldiers. Survivors of the War of 1812.. Widows of soldiers of the War or 1812

4 Naval invalid pensioners.

4,622

7

11

Navy widows, minor children, etc. 2,314
Army nurses

646

Act of June 27, 1890:

1,742

Army invalid pensioners.

415,265

Widows of soldiers of the Indian

Wars (1832-'42).

3,739

War with Spain:

Survivors of the Mexican War...
Widows of soldiers of the Mexican
War

Service after March 4, 1861:

Navy invalids

60

The amounts paid last year for pensions to the survivors and widows of other wars were: War of 1812, $249,608 67; Mexican War, $1,815,812 05; Indian wars, $517,177 89.

POSTAL INFORMATION.

CLASSES OF DOMESTIC MAIL MATTER.-Domestic mail is divided into four classes, as follows: First Class-Letters, postal cards and matter wholly or partly in writing, whether sealed or unsealed (except manuscript copy accompanying proof sheets or corrected proof sheets of the same), and all matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection. Rates of postage-Two cents per ounce or fraction thereof. Postal cards, one cent each. Private mailing cards with written messages, conforming to Government cards in size and quality, and to the regulations prescribed by the PostmasterGeneral, one cent each. On "drop" letters two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, when mailed at letter-carrier's office, or for delivery by the Rural Free Delivery Service, and one cent per ounce or fraction thereof at other offices. Second Class-Newspapers and publications issued at stated intervals as often as four times a year, bearing a date of issue and numbered consecutively, issued from a known office of publication, and formed of printed paper sheets, without board, cloth, leather or other substantial binding. Such publications must be originated and published for the dissemination of information of a public character, or devoted to literature, the sciences, art, or some special industry. They must have a legitimate list of subscribers, and must not be designed primarily for advertising purposes, or for circulation free, or at nominal rates. Rate of postage-For publishers and news agents, one cent a pound or fraction thereof. For others than publishers and news agents, one cent for each four ounces or fraction thereof. Third Class-Books, periodicals and matter wholly in print (not included in second class), proof sheets, corrected proof sheets and manuscript copy accompanying the same. Rate of postage-One cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof. Seeds, scions, cuttings, roots and plants, and also correspondence of the blind printed in raised characters, and sent unsealed are mailable at third class rates. The insertion of the date, name of the addressee and sender in writing, does not impair the rights of a circular to the third class. Fourth Class-Merchandise-namely, all matter not embraced in the other three classes, and which is not in its form or nature liable to destroy, deface or otherwise damage the contents of the mail bag, or harm the person of any one engaged in the postal service, and not above the weight provided by law. Rate of postage One cent per ounce or fraction thereof, but on seeds, cuttings, roots, scions and plants, one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof.

PAYMENT OF POSTAGE.-On first class matter the postage should be fully prepaid, but if two cents in stamps be affixed the marter will be forwarded and remainder due collected of addressee before delivery. Packages of first class matter exceeding four (4) pounds in weight must be fully prepaid; but letters and packages weighing less than four (4) pounds when prepaid one full letter rate, will be dispatched and the deficiency collected of the addressee on delivery. On second class, third class and fourth class matter the postage must be fully prepaid.

LIMIT OF WEIGHT.-A package must not exceed four pounds in weight, unless it be a single book. Second class matter is not subject to the four pound limitation. REGISTRY SYSTEM.-All mailable matter, including drop letters, may be registered; but not matter addressed to fictitious names, initials or box numbers, or bearing vague and indefinite addresses. The registry fee is eight cents in addition to postage. It must be prepaid by stamps affixed.

MONEY ORDER SYSTEM.-The following are the fees for domestic money orders: For orders not exceeding $2 50, 3c.; exceeding $2 50 and not above $5, 5c.; exceeding $5 and not above $10, 8c.; exceeding $10 and not above $20, 10c.; exceeding $20 and not above $30, 12c.; exceeding $30 and not above $40, 15c.; exceeding $40 and not above $50, 18c.; exceeding $50 and not above $60, 20c.; exceeding $60 and not above $75, 25c.; exceeding $75 and not above $100, 30c. The maximum amount of a single order is $100. International money orders may be issued in most instances up to $100, which is the maximum, and the rate is 10 cents on each $10 or fraction thereof, except that domestic rates are charged for Cuban orders, and that for Mexican orders only one-half of regular international fee is exacted. Postal connections are now in operation for the exchange of money orders between the United States and the following countries: Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Newfoundland, Jamaica, New South Wales, Victoria, New-Zealand, Queensland, Cape Colony, Windward Islands (Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia), Leeward Islands (Antigua, St. Christopher-Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat and the Virgin Islands), Belgium, Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), Tasmania, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Denmark, Netherlands, Bahama Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Austria, Hungary, British Guiana, Luxembourg, Bermuda, South Australia, Salvador, Chili, Honduras, Egypt, Hong Kong, British Honduras. Cuba, Russia, Mexico and Apia (Samoa).

SPECIAL DELIVERY.-The regulations governing "rapid" or "special delivery" provide that any article of mailable matter bearing a 10-cent special delivery stamp in addition to the lawful postage is entitled to immediate delivery on its arrival at the office of address, between the hours of 7 a. m. and 11 p. m., if the office be of the free delivery class, and between the hours of 7 a. m. and 7 p. m. if the office be other than a free delivery office. To entitle such a letter to immediate delivery the residence or place of business of the addressee must be within the carrier limits of a free delivery office, and within one mile of any other office. Special delivery stamps are not available for the payment of postage, nor can ordinary postage stamps be used to secure immediate delivery of mail matter.

FOREIGN POSTAGE RATES.-The rates of postage to all foreign countries and colonies (except Canada and Mexico) are as follows: Letters, 15 grams (1⁄2 ounce). 5 cents. 2 cents.

Postal cards, each...