(a) The term “civil-service act” refers to “An act to regulate
  and improve the civil service of the United States,” approved January
  16, 1883.

  (b) The term “classified service” refers to all that part of the
  executive civil service of the United States included within the
  provisions of the civil-service act.

(c) The term “grade” in connection with employees or positions refers to a group of employees or positions in the classified service arranged upon the basis of duties performed, without regard to salaries received.

(d) The term “class” in connection with employees or positions refers to a group of employees or positions in any grade arranged upon the basis of salaries received, in pursuance of the provisions of section 163 of the Revised Statutes and of section 6 of the civil-service act.

(e) The term “excepted position” refers to any position within the provisions of the civil-service act, but excepted from the requirement of competitive examination or registration for appointment thereto.

  RULE II.

  1.  Any person in the executive civil service of the United States who
  shall willfully violate any of the provisions of the civil-service act
  or of these rules shall be dismissed from office.

  2.  No person in the executive civil service shall use his official
  authority or official influence for the purpose of interfering with an
  election or controlling the result thereof.

3.  No person in the executive civil service shall dismiss, or cause to be dismissed, or make any attempt to procure the dismissal of, or in any manner change the official rank or compensation of, any other person therein because of his political or religious opinions or affiliations.

4.  No question in any examination or form of application shall be so framed as to elicit information concerning, nor shall any inquiry be made concerning, nor any other attempt be made to ascertain, the political or religious opinions or affiliations of any applicant, competitor, or eligible; and all disclosures thereof shall be discountenanced, and no discrimination shall be exercised, threatened, or promised against or in favor of any applicant, competitor, or eligible because of his political or religious opinions or affiliations.

5.  No recommendation of an applicant, competitor, or eligible involving any disclosure of his political or religious opinions or affiliations shall be received, filed, or considered by the Commission, by any board of examiners, or by any nominating or appointing officer.

6.  In making removals or reductions or in imposing punishment for delinquency or misconduct penalties like in character shall be imposed for like offenses, and action thereupon shall be taken