In the Matter of the Application of George Keymer, Appellant, for a Writ of Mandamus Directed to the Civil Service…

Summary

The Court held that Chapter 344 of the Laws of 1895 is unconstitutional because it conflicts with Article 5, Section 9 of the 1894 New York Constitution. The statute improperly exempts honorably discharged Civil War veterans from competitive examinations for positions paying less than four dollars per day, creating a favored class contrary to the constitutional mandate of merit‑based examinations. Accordingly, the order directing a writ of mandamus was affirmed and the statute declared void.