[282] _Second Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Civil Establishments_, 1888; q. 17,500, 20,141 to 20,149, 20,260, 20,262 and 20,338; and _First Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Civil Establishments_, 1887, p. 424. [283] _Second Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Civil Establishments_, 1888; q. 17,250 to 17,253. [284] _Second Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Civil Establishments_, 1888; q. 20,253. [285] _Hansard's Parliamentary Debates_, March 1, 1887, p. 890; March 7, p. 1,400; May 12, p. 1,723; and April 4, p. 456. [286] _Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Post Office Establishments_, 1897; q. 12,152 to 12,154, Mr. H. Joyce, Third Secretary to General Post Office. Compare also: q. 131 and 7,891, and Appendix, p. 1,068. Extract from the "Postmaster's Book of Instructions," p. 105. "Except to clerkships of first class, all promotions from class to class, whether in the Major or Minor Establishments, are governed by seniority, combined with full competency and good character. Thus, on a vacancy occurring in a higher class, not being the first class of clerks, recommend for promotion that officer of highest standing [according to seniority] in the class next below who is qualified for the efficient performance of the duties of the higher class, and has conducted himself with diligence, propriety and attention in his present class to your satisfaction. If on the other hand you feel it incumbent on you to recommend some officer other than the one of highest standing [according to seniority] in his class, furnish a tabular statement after the following specimens, giving the names and dates of appointment of those you propose to pass over, and your reasons. These reasons must be stated with precision in the column set apart for observations. Such entries as: 'Scarcely qualified,' 'has not given satisfaction,' being insufficient in so important a matter." [287] _Who's Who_, 1905, Fowler, Rt. Hon. Sir H. H., M. P. (L.), Wolverhampton, 1880 to 1900, and since 1900; Under Secretary Home Department, 1884-85; Financial Secretary to Treasury, 1886; President Local Government Board, 1892-94; Secretary of State for India, 1894-95. [288] _Hansard's Parliamentary Debates_, April 27, 1900, p. 128, Sir H. H. Fowler, and Mr. R. W. Hanbury. [289] Mr. Fawcett, Postmaster General. [290] Mr. Arnold Morley, Postmaster General, 1892-95; Chief Liberal Whip, 1886-1892. [291] _Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Post Office Establishments_, 1897; q. 12,220. [292] _Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Post Office Establishments_, 1897; q. 12,158. Compare, for example, _Hansard's Parliamentary Debates_, September 18, 1893. Mr. A. Morley, Postmaster General, states that 10 men had been passed over, after having been found wanting upon a trial on higher duties. He added: "I am, however, making further inquiries."