The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-10-28

suppose that any intelligent, disinterssasd
set Of men would have advised and enacted
the monetary laws, and other special class
legislation affecting SO unequally and an
Justly the interests Of these who produce
the wealth and pay the taxes of the ma
tion, as those now in force. To secure the
success of this character of Legislation it is
not necessary that majority of Congress
ahAl be pecuniarily interested, for nost OF
the bills are prepared by committees, and
the members so interested are sure to be
found on the committees having charge Of
this class of legislation, and when reported
from the committees, bills Cf this Charsc-
ter are frequently smuggled through Con-
gress, under the operation of the previous
question, without atfording opportunity
for examination or discussion.
Now, | think it will be admitted that
the adoption of the competitive system, IN
the selection of clerks and other suhordi-
nate officers, offers no practical or sufficient
remedy for these abuses. The board Of
examiners would, Of course, be Of the same
political faith as the party in power, and
Senators and members of Congress would,
a now, be consulted and control the ap-
pointments, and we would have the old
rule re- enacted in a worse form than un-
der the present system.
The application OF the one-term princi-
pie to the Office of President would prove
equally barren Of good results, for the rea-
son that the abuses in the administration
of the laws are caused mainly by the in
terfersnce of Senators and Congressman
in the appointments, and other business
connected with the other departments.
To eliminate these abuses. and restore
the Government to lis original simplicity
and purity, We must lay the axe Of reform
at the root Of the evils that have perverted
it from the design of its founders, and con-
vsrted it into a mere psrtizan machine, for
the ben4a nnamhe assaildvrv vf-sa1v -Psmsy
that hapl . have control Of it
But it with asked, what is the remedy Z
| reply that, as the existing evils result
mainly from unwise and corrupt legisls-
uon, and incompetency and dishonesty in
the administration Of the public service,
to correct or remove them We must pro-
eeed in the same manner that prudent
business man, or board Of directors Of a
private corportion would, to correct or re-
move similar wrongs and abuses in their
business.
The intelligent business man or board Of
directors will, in the first place, 50 arrange
and systemize their business that incom-
potency or dishonesty on the part of any
of their employees, officers or agents can be
readily detected and when the discovery
is made, instead Of promoting the offend
ing party to a higher position, they will at
employing superintendent, agent or
clerk, be careful to obtain knowledge Of
his character for honesty and industry, as
well as Of his qualification for the dis
charge Of the duties for which he is EN-
ployed. No prudent business man would
think of employing, in place Of RESPONSE
ble trust, man whose personal interest
he knew to be in conflict with the dis
charge of the duties for which he was en-
ployed. Again, good business men are
careful not to overtax the physical powers
or mental energies Of their employees, for il
is sure to result in injury to both parties.
Now, in the administration of the pub
lie service, we have ignored these, and all
other prudential business maxims. We
have selected men for all places under the
Government more on account of political
availability and partizan influence than
with reference to their fitness for the dis
charge Of the duties of the offices, and Ii
many instances have retained them III Of
fice after their incompetency, if not want
Of integrity, we're clearly known. 1t j,
impossible to have a wise and economica
administration Of the public service Will,
we persist in this course. To secure this
we must first clearly define and limit with
in their proper spheres the duties Of thu
respective departments of the Government
and so arrange and systemic the business
of each that incompetency or dishonesty
can be readily detected, and select men fo
all places of public trust ON account of thei
integrity, capability, and general fitness
for the discharge of the duties of the Office
Second, we must not elect or appoint t,
any place of public trust men whose pri
vate interests are in conflict with the faith
full discharge of the duties Of the position
II is contrary to public policy to place
man in this position, and the acceptance o
the position ought to be accepted a. con
elusive evidence Of the want Of private vir
tue on his part AS we'll expect an impair
tial verdict from vsnal jury, or a right
eous decision from corrupt judge, a. :
hope for the enactment of wise and eauits
BILE laws and an impartial administrator
Of justice, while we persist in selecting fo
our Law. makers, and other places Of publ
trust. men whose pecuniary interest il i
conflict with the discharge of their autis,
All peculations and other malfeasance i
any department Of the public service shoul
be deemed felony, and visited with CO
tain and condign punishpent. Publ
robbery should be punished as well A. pr
vate theft.