12/12/1909
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"Neither in the designation for examination or certification or appointment after examination will the political affiliations of the candidates be considered."
"The examinations shall be both oral and in writing and shall include the following subjects:—international law, diplomatic usage, and a knowledge of at least one modern language other than English, to..."
"In the determination of the final rating, the written and oral ratings shall be of equal weight."
"It is hereby ordered that no bureau, office, or division chief, or subordinate in any department of the Government, and no officer of the Army or Navy or Marine Corps stationed in Washington, shall ap..."