Civil Service Exams

Boston, Massachusetts, the United States of America

January 29th, 1831

"Begin."

Charles Sumner read the beginning portions of his Grade 4 Judicial Branch Civil Service exam with a careful eye. After President Peters set up a system of Civil Service examinations across the United States in 1829, Sumner was one of the first applicants to sign up for the exams. Reviewing the government-provided study guide and studying on his own for over a year, he was finally within a secluded room in Boston City Hall with thirty other applicants. The Grade 4 Judicial Branch Civil Service Exam was a test to see if the applicant was qualified to serve as a clerk of the court in the First Circuit Court of Appeals. There were nine grades in total, with one being the highest (usually to serve directly in the office of the Secretaries of the Cabinet) and nine being the lowest (usually jobs that involved less stringent education requirements, such as custodial work). Grade 4 exams were considered "difficult" and applicants were encouraged to have extensive legal knowledge, excellent administrative capabilities, and high proficiency in communications and finance. While Sumner knew he had his faults, he thought he was fit for the duties required for a clerk of the court and his application was accepted by the government.

His father died due to a freak accident in his childhood, which left him alone with just his mother. His mother struggled to make money throughout his childhood, working as a seamstress to support him. While he attended the local primary school in Boston and received excellent grades, he decided against attending a university due to his ailing mother and nursed her back to health for two years. During that time, he took the opportunity to study law and worked a few odd jobs to keep his household's finances afloat. When the Civil Service System was established by the federal government, it was like a candle was lit inside of him. He finally had an opportunity to earn a prestigious career without needing to go to a university. At first, he wanted to take a lower grade examination in order to work in a local government office and stay by his mother, but she insisted that he aimed higher and he decided the highest he could go (in his views) was the clerk of the court of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. And so here he was, finally taking the Grade 4 exam after a year of studying and working. He knew there was going to be a variety of critical thinking questions along with several questions based on his knowledge, so he had prepared accordingly.

"1) You have been notified that the local court office has failed to procure a Defense Counsel for the defendant (who does not have the resources to procure a Private Counsel) in a criminal court case. The designated Attorney for the case attempts to push for the court hearing to proceed on schedule, despite the lack of a Defense Counsel. What Amendment, under the Constitution, is this scenario a violation of? Additionally, provide a brief explanation of the Amendment you have selected and your solution to the scenario below the answer choices.

A) The Seventh Amendment

B) The Eighth Amendment

C) The Ninth Amendment

D) The Tenth Amendment

E) The Eleventh Amendment"

Sumner circled choice A and quickly wrote down his explanation.

"The Seventh Amendment of the Constitution clearly delineates that the accused in a criminal prosecution have the right to the "Assistance of a Private or a Federal Counsel for his defence." In the context of this scenario, it is clear that the court administration failed to provide the defendant with a Federal Counsel, which is a necessity as the defendant was unable to acquire a Private Counsel. In this situation, it would be appropriate to inform the judge presiding over the case about the situation (though, it was most likely that he was already informed of the situation) and if the situation fails to resolve itself, then it is necessary to involve the Attorney General to look into the situation..."

There were forty questions in total, and he had just two hours to complete them. It was a tiring, painful process but Sumner pushed through the exam with sheer willpower and determination. By the time the proctor asked the applicants to place their writing tools away, Sumner was confident that he had passed the test.

Unfortunately, he still had one more test to take (the Public Service Aptitude Test, to determine if he was fit to work within the government itself). After that, there was an interview section with a local Attorney or Judge to determine if he was suitable enough to work in the Judicial Branch.

Thankfully, lunch and refreshments were provided by the administrators. As he quickly wolfed down a meat sandwich and chugged some water, he thought about the long list of facts and rules that he needed for the PSAT. There were a ton of things he needed to know, as the government sought to employ the best and the brightest within its ranks.

The young man groaned as the proctors ushered in him and the other applicants back into the room. It was going to be a long day.