Early Statesman synthesis distilling legal jargon into practical meaning, statutory anchors, and structural constitutional impacts.
This executive order, signed by President Benjamin Harrison on 1889-06-18, establishes federal administrative policy concerning "—Amendment of Civil Service Rules." It is a direct, concise executive instruction delivering focused administrative or military commands to department leadership.
Constitutional Assessment: Scrutinized through Article II, Section 2, this action exercises the President's constitutional role as Commander in Chief. Early Framers recognized broad executive discretion in commanding military forces during conflict, provided it remains bounded by congressional declarations and respects civilian domestic courts.
Key Directives & Operative Actions
▪Formal executive instruction issued by the President establishing official administrative policy on —Amendment of Civil Service Rules.
Exec. Order, "Executive Order—Amendment of Civil Service Rules," Benjamin Harrison (Jun 18, 1889). Available at https://executiveordersarchive.org/orders/app-executive-order-amendment-civil-service-rules-61.
Official Document Text
Source: The American Presidency Project (UCSB Archive)
Departmental Rule X, Customs Rule VII, Postal Rule VII, and Railway Mail Rule VI are hereby amended by adding to each of said rules, at the end thereof, the following: Provided , That certification may be made, subject to the other conditions of this rule, for the reinstatement of any person who served in the military or naval service of the United States in the late War of the Rebellion, and was honorably discharged therefrom, without regard to the length of time he has been separated from the service. BENJ. HARRISON
