The rating of a competitor on each regular or optional subject will be in proportion to the correctness of the work done, based upon the maximum rating indicated opposite the subject for perfect work. It will be observed that the total ratings that may be obtained in the regular examination are 2,000. A competitor will not receive any credit for work done on any optional subject unless his total ratings in the regular examination are 1,400 or more and 70 or more on such subject. The credits received by him in the optional subjects will simply tend to increase his prospects of appointment. It is not expected that any one competitor will be found proficient in all of these branches, the aim in providing a variety of optional subjects in addition to the regular subjects being to enable the Board to secure eligibles with such special qualifications as may be needed to meet the demands of the service. In making requisitions for certifications of eligibles, appointing officers may call for the highest three names as a result of examination in the regular and optional subjects combined, but should the needs of the service so require, as may frequently happen, requisition may be made for a certification. of those standing highest on one or more of the optional subjects, and who have also passed the regular examination. For instance, if a vacancy should occur in the municipal government of Manila, requiring a knowledge of municipal administration, or in the Forestry Bureaus requiring a knowledge of forestry, or in the Bureau of Statistics, requiring a knowledge of statistics, a requisition would probably be made for eligibles who have shown the most proficiency in these subjects, and who have also passed the regular examination.

The object of the Department Assistant Examination is to provide a method of entrance to the Philippine civil service for honest, energetic, and well-educated persons who are entitled to be examined under the law. Eligibles thus secured will be appointed as the needs of the service require. After appointment they will be attached to one of the departments or offices and will be assigned to such duty, clerical and otherwise, as may be deemed advisable. Section 20 of the Civil Service Act provides that after 18 months from the date when the Board shall certify that it has a sufficient list of eligibles to fill vacancies in the higher offices, vacancies occurring in those offices shall be filled without examination from a class to be composed of the first, second, and third assistants in such offices, without regard to the office in which the assistants may be employed, the intention of the law being that the appointing power may transfer from one office to another the assistants deemed most competent to fill vacancies.

Those appointed from the Department Assistant Examination will be preferred in promotions to the higher administrative offices unless it should appear that employees who have not passed this examination possess exceptional or technical qualifications, required in the positions to be filled by promotion, which are not possessed by any of those who have entered the service through the examination mentioned. It will thus be seen that through faithfulness, efficiency, and an honest discharge of duties, department assistants have a fair opportunity, as the conditions of the service permit, to be advanced to the highest administrative positions, since vacancies in those positions must under the law be filled by promotion after Oct. 26, 1902.

Bookkeeper examination.

Sec. 15. The time allowed for this examination is nine hours; the entrance salary is $1,200 per annum. The names of competitors who fail on the subject of bookkeeping but obtain an eligible average on the first grade subjects will be entered on the clerk register. The following are the subjects and weights:

The following specimen questions and tests indicate the general character of the second subject:

Practice of bookkeeping.-The first exercise is given a weight of 2 and the second a weight of 1.

FIRST EXERCISE.

Instructions-On the blanks furnished make the necessary journal entries for the transactions given in the memoranda below; keep bank account separate from cash account; make no daybook entries.

February 4, 1899. Marr and Company of Manila began business with the following resources: Store and lot on the Escolta, $12,500; cash in Manila Bank, $4,325, in safe, $940.85; Carter Bros.' note for $940, dated September 15, 1898, due five months after date. Liabilities were as follows: Account in favor of Philippine Commercial Company, $865.30; note in favor of Solana Bros. for $2,320, dated November 20, 1898, due 90 days after date, with interest at 6%, accrued interest, ($28.98.)

February 6. Bought of J. C. Neville merchandise worth $4,275. Gave in payment check for $2,700, balance on account.

February 7. Bought with check 25 shares of stock of Philippine Commercial Company at 45 (par value, $100).

February 10. Sold R. C. Adams merchandise valued at $3,115.38. Received in payment at its present worth our note for $2,320 in favor of Solana Bros. (mentioned in liabilities), present worth $2,351.27, balance on account.

February 11. Drew a sight draft on R. C. Adams for $615 and remitted

it to Philippine Commercial Company on account.

February 15. Sold to L. C. Miller 20 shares of Philippine Commercial Company stock at 49 and received his check on Manila Bank for the amount. February 17. Received of Carter Bros. on account their draft at 30 days' sight on R. C. Adams for $300. Presented the above draft for acceptance and Adams has accepted same, payable at Manila Bank.

February 19. Carter Bros.' note (mentioned in resources) has been protested for non-payment. Protest fee, $2.35.

February 20. Due W. H. McLean $60, for salary for 3 weeks. Paid him 3 of the amount in cash.

February 23. Discounted at 7% our note for $2,500, given at 90 days on Manila Bank, and received credit for the proceeds. Discount, $43.15. (Allow no days of grace.)

SECOND EXERCISE.

From the data below make out a balance sheet.

On August 31, 1897, Juan Castueras and Placido Galve, under the firm name of Castueras and Galve, had on hand as per inventory the following: Merchandise, $2,886; real estate, $9,360; stationery, $15. The footings of the accounts in their ledger were as follows:

Debit footings-Juan Castueras (member of firm), $314.01; cash, $3,450.30; Manila Bank, $3,586.80; real estate, $9,000; merchandise, $7,981.07; bills receivable, $3,226.80; bills payable, $1.170.96; expense, $201; interest and discount, $48.93; Demetrio Gomez, $1,080.

Credit footings-Juan Castueras (member of firm), $7,882.93; Placido Galve (member of firm), $9,477; cash, $1,556.74; Manila Bank, $1,077.30; merchandise, $6,587.76; bills receivable, $1,920; bills payable, $1,530.96; interest and discount, $27.18.

Experience and education.-The rating on this subject will be based on the information furnished by the competitor in answer to questions relating to his education and business experience which would tend to qualify him for the position of bookkeeper.

Stenography examination.

Sec. 16. The time allowed for this examination is five and one-half hours, of which one and one-half hours are allowed for transcribing the stenographic notes. The usual entrance salary is $1,200 per annum. The subjects and weights are as follows:

4. Copying from rough draft (first grade, see sec. 11). 5. Stenography...

in in in 0 in

75

5

5

Total....

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The practical test in stenography will consist of two exercises, a letter and a speech, each containing 260 words. The dictations are given to all the competitors together. A preliminary test is given at the rate of 80 words per minute, in order to familiarize the competitors with the examiner's manner of dictation. This preliminary test will not be considered a part of the examination, and should not be transcribed. The regular exercises (a letter and a speech are considered as one exercise) will then be dictated at different rates of speed as follows: 80 words, 100 words, 120 words, and 140 words per minute. A rating of 70% in speed will be given when the dictation is at the rate of 80 words per minute, 80% for 100 words, 90% for 120 words, and 100% for 140 words per minute. The competitors will be permitted to enter the regular tests at as many different rates of speed as they may desire, but they will be required at the conclusion of the tests to select the one which they wish to transcribe and be considered in the rating. Examiners will give competitors sufficient time to make the selections. The test which they select will be the only one which they will be permitted to transcribe, and the notes of all other tests will be taken up by the examiner. These

notes will be forwarded to the Board, together with the other papers of the stenography examination, but will not be considered in the rating. The notes of the exercise transcribed should be attached to sheet 4 when the competitor surrenders that sheet. The notes may be transcribed either in longhand or with the typewriter.

The following dictation exercises indicate the general character of the exercises used in this examination:

Dictation Exercises.-(a) The most important of all histories to an American is that of his own country, because it appeals to his patriotism, and in it is found as nowhere else, the story of the progress of the people. During the last fifty years the United States has contributed more than any other nation to the sum of human welfare and advancement, and while it has made the greatest progress in times of peace, it has not hesitated to draw the sword in behalf of justice and right. It is natural for an American to sympathize with any people fighting against oppression. Sympathy for the Cubans was expressed in party platforms, at public meetings, in the press and pulpit, and on the floor of Congress. The American people did not wish to go to war, but they were determined that the horrors in Cuba should cease. The continent was not broad enough for the continuance of two so antagonistic systems face to face, and the whole country knows by heart the story of the war that followed. An attempt at this early date to sum up all the consequences would be presumption, but two at least are already sure. At home in the United States points of compass are blotted out. For Americans there is now neither north nor south nor east nor west. There is only one common country. Abroad the republic has made itself respected and recognized as it never was before. Its potent voice in behalf of humanity and freedom has been heard around the globe.

(b)

Honorable William Atkins,

SIR:

Omaha, Nebraska.

MANILA, December 30, 1900.

Replying to your letter of the 20th ultimo, I have the honor to state that hemp growing with ample capital is an industry which gives little trouble, and from which large profits are realized in the Philippine Islands. The plant requires at least three years to arrive at the cutting stage, or four years if raised from the seed. A great advantage to the colonist in beginning to grow hemp is the fact that only a partial clearance is required, while newly opened up land is preferable, as on it young plants will sometimes throw up as many as thirty suckers. The great drawback to the person with limited capital is the impossibility of getting any return for his labor or making any profit on his outlay before three years at least. After that period the risk is small, drought being about the only thing to be feared. The largest trees are usually left to shade the plants and young shoots so that only light rooting is absolutely necessary. No plowing is required and there is no special cropping season, as there is in the case of sugar, which, if neglected, results in a total loss of crop. No costly machinery has to be bought and left to the mercy of inexperienced hands, and no live stock need be maintained for field labor. For these reasons you will appreciate that the advantages of hemp cultivation compare favorably with those of any other agricultural pursuit in the islands. Very respectfully,