§ MR. A. M. SULLIVANasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is the fact that a competitive examination for the promotion of out-door officers of the Customs Service was announced more than fourteen months ago, and held on the 15th October of last year; if it is true that the result has not as yet been made known; and, whether he will take steps to prevent the delay prejudicially affecting the competitors, found to have meritoriously passed in October last, by causing their promotion to reckon from that date?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHSir, notice of an examination was given in January, 1880, and those candidates who passed a preliminary test examination were admitted to competition on October 18 last. The number examined, 430, was unusually large, because candidates for the offices, both of examining officer and of gauger, which were formerly dealt with separately, were taken together; and, as the examination included practical subjects relating to both branches of the out-door department, the inspection of the answers has occupied a longer time than usual. But the work is now nearly complete, and the results will probably be made known in a few days. The successful candidates will have no claim to have their appointments pre-dated. The examinations are not held for the purpose of filling existing vacancies, the officers found qualified being only entitled to be placed on a list to receive appointments, in order of merit, as vacancies occur.