In re Schaefer

This appeal involves the construction of the first sentence of section 31 of the Civil Service Law, which is as follows: “ Any person who while holding a position in the competitive class under the Civil Service Law or rules, has been separated from the service through the abolition of a department, office or institution, or any section, bureau or division thereof, or whose position is abolished or made unnecessary, through no delinquency or misconduct on his part, shall be deemed to be suspended without pay, which suspension shall be made in the inverse order of original appointment in the…