The second section is in the following words:
Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of said commission.
First, To devise and submit to the President for his approval and promulgation, from time to time, suitable rules, and to suggest appropriate action for making this act effective: and when so approved and promulgated it shall be the duty of all officers of the United States in the Departments and offices to which any such rules may relate to aid, in all proper ways, in carrying said rules, and any modifications thereof, into effect.
Second, And, among other things, said rules shall provide and declare, as nearly as the conditions of good administration will warrant, as follows:
First, for open, competitive examinations for testing the capacity of applicants for the public service now classified or to be classified hereunder.
Second, that all the offices, places, and employments so arranged or to be arranged in classes shall be filled by selections from among those graded highest as the results of such competitive examinations.
Third, that original entrance to the public service aforesaid shall be at the lowest grade.
Fourth, that there shall be a period of probation before any absolute appointment or employment aforesaid.
Fifth, that promotions shall be from the lower grades to the higher on the basis of merit and competition.
Sixth, that no person in the public service is for that reason under any obligations to contribute to any political fund, or to render any political service, and that he will not be removed or otherwise prejudiced for refusing to do so.