The Philippine Civil Service Before the Philippine Commission left Washington, a clear understanding was reached with the President and secretary of war to the effect that no political appointee whatsoever should under any circumstances be forced upon us.

After arrival at Manila early attention was given to the drafting of a civil service act by Mr.Taft, who was fortunate in having the assistance of Mr.Frank M.Kiggins, chief of the examining division of the United States Civil Service Commission.

The passage of this act and its strict enforcement led to very favourable comment in the United States.

In his first annual message President Roosevelt said:-- "It is important to have this system obtain at home, but it is even more important to have it rigidly applied in our insular possessions....
"The merit system is simply one method of securing honest and efficient administration of the government, and in the long run the sole justification of any type of government lies in its proving itself both honest and efficient." Secretary Root also gave us his fullest support, calling attention to the fact that the law which we had passed was of a very advanced type, and that under such circumstances as confronted us, the securing of the best men available should outweigh, and indeed practically exclude, all other considerations.
Our action met with the unqualified approval of organizations which especially interest themselves in the maintenance of clean and efficient public service, such as the Cambridge (Massachusetts) Civil Service Reform Association [485] and the National Civil Service Reform League, whose committee on civil service in dependencies spoke in very high terms of existing conditions in the Philippines.

[486] In its first annual report the Civil Service Board called attention to some of the more important provisions of the Act in the following words:-- "Competitive examinations must, whenever practicable, be held for original entrance to the service, and promotions of employees must also be based upon competitive examinations, in which the previous experience and efficiency of employees shall be given due consideration.