Personal. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON. D. C. April 23, 1897. 
Prof. W. H. Holmes, 
5726 Washington Avenue, 
Chicago, 111. 
Dear Mr. Holmes 
Your telegram received yesterday. I saw Mr. Proctor, 
President of the Civil Service Commission, last evening, and had a 
long talk with him on the subject. The President’s last order 
w as very sweeping, and while it is possible that President McKinley 
would make exceptions, it is most desirable that they should not 
be asked unless it is postively necessary. Professor Proctor told 
me that the Commission had agreed that the examination should be 
based upon the evidence afforded by the publications and a statement 
of the positions held. 
The place has sought you, not you the place, but it is 
desirable to conform to the law, and not ask for an exception. If 
this is not done, it will be necessary for you to write to the 
Commission, and I would suggest the following: 
’U. S. Civil Service Commission, 
Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen: - 
I have been asked to consider the position of Anthropolo- 
gist, in charge of the Division of Anthropology in the U. S. Nation- 
al Museum. Learning that the position is considered to be within 
the classified service, I send herewith a statement of the positions 
I have held, and a list of my publications as evidence to you of my 
fitness to occupy the position which I have been requested to take. 
Very respectfully, etc.” 
