The enforcement of the law by the commission has received the following commendation from the executive committee of the National Civil Service Reform League:—­

“We have further to note with satisfaction the course of the Philippine Commission, by which, if it be persevered in, the merit system will be established in the Islands of that archipelago at least as thoroughly and consistently as in any department of government, Federal, State, or Municipal, in the Union.  This must be, in any case, regarded as a gratifying recognition of sound principles of administration on the part of the Commission, and justifies the hope that, within the limits of their jurisdiction at least, no repetition of the scandals of post-bellum days will be tolerated.”

Up to the time of the appointment of Governor-General Harrison the provisions of the Civil Service Act and rules were firmly supported by all of the governors-general and secretaries of departments, and the annual reports of the governor-general uniformly expressed satisfaction with their practical operation.  Mr. Taft was always an enthusiastic supporter of the merit system.

Governor-General Forbes in his inaugural address made the following statements:—­

“It is necessary that the civil service should be rigidly maintained and its rules carefully observed.  One very distinguished Filipino has recently been appointed to administrative control of one of the most important departments of the Government, equal in rank to any executive position in the Islands with the exception of the Executive head.  In the executive branch of the Government, the Filipinization of the service must steadily continue.  As vacancies occur Filipinos will be gradually substituted for Americans as rapidly as can be done without positive detriment to the service.  At the same time, care will be taken to provide a suitable career for honest and capable Americans who have come out here in good faith.  They should know that during good behavior and efficient performance of their duty they are secure in their positions, and that when they desire to return to the United States an effort will be made to place them in the civil service at home.

“I want no better men than the present officers and employees of the Government, Americans and Filipinos.  They compare favorably with any set of men I have ever seen both as regards ability and fidelity to duty.”

Under the operation of the Civil Service Act the proportion of Filipinos employed has increased from 49 per cent, in 1903, to 71 per cent in 1913, as is shown by the following table:—­

Comparison of Percentages of Americans and
Filipinos in the Service