Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-06

has to make tlt spfN lFc iiiD7i SuCtcSsiul W
people. Except in cases where, upon Just ana
recognized principles, as upon the theory Oh
pensions, Offices and promotions are bestowed as
| rewards Tor past service, their hc5iowal= upon
| any theory winch disrrgards personal merit. is
| an act Of injustice to me citizen, as well us q
breach OF that II ust suhl"ct Is which the appoints
| ing power IS held:
| great Importance to provide just IL adequate
| means, especially for every department, and
| large administrative Office, where personal dis
crmination on the part of It's head Is not pracii-
| cable, for ascertaining those quni!hcations TO
| which appointments and removals should nave
reference. To iai! to provide mch means Is not
| only 10 DENY the opportunity OF asrertaining the
| facts npon winch the n'o-tfSht.o", clain @ |" Oh VI,
| flee depends, but, of necessity. to discourage all
| worthy aspirants, by handing over appointments
| and removals tn mere ,niinencc and iavoriiism.
Ii il is the right OF the worthest claimant TO gain
the appointment, and tue interest oi tue people
| to bestow II upon him, II would seem clear that
| II and just method OF ascerianiuS personal
fitness for Office must be an important and per-
manent junction oil every just ana WISE govern
ment. 1t has long since become Impossible, IN
the great offices, for those having the 'tnty of
| nomination and appointment, 10 personally eN-
anime into the individual qualifications of more
than small proportion OF those seeking ofhce;
and. With the enlargement OF the civil service,
that proportion mus! continue to become less.
In the earlier yeaIs Of the government, the
subord mate Offices were SO few IN number that
| ii quI:c easy for those making appointments
and promotions TO personally ascertain the
merits of candidates. Party managers ana
methods had not then become powerful agencies
OF coercion. hostile 10 the Tree anu just exercise
of the appointing power.
\ large and responsible part oi the autY OIL
res yring the civil service to the desired purity
and efficiency rests upon the president, and 1t Is
my purpose 10 do what is within my pJHer to
advance such prudent and gradual measures of
reform as will most surely and rapidly bring
| about that radical change uf system essential To
make our administrative methods satisfactory to
a free and Intelligent people bS Il proper ex-
ercise of authority, II Is in the power oil the
executive to do much to promote such Il reform.
| But II cannot be too clearly UNDERSTOOD that
, nothing adequate can be accomplished without
Cooperation on the part of congress and cDnsid-
: | crate and intelligent support among the p-opie.
Reforms which challenge tile generally accepted
theories OF parties, and demand Changes IN the
methods Of departments, are moi lhc work oi
: day. Their permanent foundations must be laid
4 IN sound principles. and in an experience which
demonstrates their wisdom AMI exposes the
errors of their ad versaric,. Every worthy OIL
> Ger desires to make his official acton gain and
u | an honor to his country, Uut t!c people thciu-
}, | selves lar more Ihan their oitceI n public
Il station are Interested in pure, economical,
c and vigorous administration.
Concluded On Second Page. )