Silas W. Burt papers

1886-1900

Silas Wright Burt (1830-1912) was an American civil engineer, militia officer, and promoter of the merit system in the civil service. He served as a colonel and Assistant Inspector General in the New York State militia, Chief Examiner of the New York State Civil Service Commission from 1883 to 1885, and Commissioner from 1895 to 1900. He was an officer and founder of the Civil Reform Association of New York and the National Civil Service Reform League. Collection consists of writings by Burt and printed matter. Includes unpublished manuscript for a book on the history of civil service reform and the merit system in the United States; an essay entitled "A Brief History of the Civil Service Reform Movement in the United States;" and manuscript of a history of New York politics with special reference to patronage and civil service reform, and the role of Chester A. Arthur in civil service reform. Also, miscellaneous notes and newsclippings concerning civil service reform.