Research


Scope and Content Note

These reports were compiled by the office of the Western Division Engineer (Rochester) in accordance with Chapter 354 of the Laws of 1883, which required state government offices to keep "proper comparative records of the efficiency, punctuality, attention and general good conduct" of their employees. At the top of each report are the date as well as the employee's name and rank. Each report is in table form, with the dates of evaluations across the top, done on a weekly basis, and the categories "Efficiency," "Punctuality," "Attention," and "General Good Conduct" down the left-hand side. Each employee is given a 1-5 rating, with "5" being the highest, according to these measures of conduct. (The vast majority of employees are consistently given ratings of "5.") A few reports also include narrative comments.