The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-12-15
TEE CIVIL SERVICE.
REFORMS NECESSARY.

IN my 1clter accepting the nomination for
vice president stated thar, in nv judgment,
no man should be an incumbent OF an Office
whose duties he is, for any cause, unt.t to per-
form, who is lacking in the ability, fidelity or
integrity which proper administration of sue b
office demands This sentiment wonll doubtless
meet With general acqniesence, but opinion
has been widely divided upon tho wisdom and
pract1cability. OF the various reformatory
certain proposed regulations governing ap-
polntments to public Office; the efficiency of
such regulations has been distrusted. mainly
because they have seemed to ex-
act more educational and abstract
tests above general business capacity and
even special fitness for tue particular work in
hand. 1t seems to me that the result that
should he applied to the management Of public
service MAY properly conform in tho main to
such - regulate the condition Of successful
private business. The original appointment
n ness o. based ts"rro upon ssosrt:nsd f.
stable Positions Of responsibility should be, so
far AZ practicable, filed BY the promotion Of
worthy and efficient officers. The inves:iga-
ton OF al complaints and punishment Of ali
official misconduct should be prompt aud
Thorough as . The views IN the fore
eeoutive Office Thev arc % d oS eas
shared by all intelligent and patriotic citizens.
however dlverged in their opinion a. to the
best method Of putting them into practical op-
GRAFTON; For example, the assertion that
certaned fitness is not open to dispute; but the
question how in practice such fitness can be
most efectually obtained is one which has for
years excited interest and discussion. The
measure which, with slight variation
tention Of congress and the executive has it's
principal feature the scheme competitive ex-
animation. eavo for certain exceptions. which
need not here be specified, this plan would
beaPp2icable to tho service In only its lowest
grade and would accordingly demand
that all vacancies in higher positions
should be filled by promotion alone In these
particulars 1t is i'll conformity with the existing
civil service system of Great Britain and in
deed the success which has attended that sys-
ten IN the country of its birth 10
THE STRONGEST ARGUMENT
VI Whlon mas been urged for its adoption here.
!. Inc iact should not however, be oyorlooked
system which have not generally bean rscs;vsd
with favor in this country, even among the
foremost advocates Of civil service reform.
among them are, frst tenure Of
Once which is substantially a life
s .enuIe; second q limitation Of the
one service, whereby all mon in middle lifo
are with some exceptions r1gidly excluded;
enaso' . retiring allowance upon going out OF
once. These three elements are % important
factors OF the problem as any Of the others. To
eaminato therefrom the English system would
eject most radical change in the theory Ana
practice: The avowed purpose Of that system
~ 10 induce tho educated young men Of the
country TO devote their lives to public employ
nleht ny an assurance that having we'll entered
s{ton tGey need never leave it. and that
siees voluntary retirement they shall be
TEN, a. an entirety, has proved very success
lui N dreat Britain seems to be generally con-
c eGae,;s even bv those who. once opposed it's
a popats Al, 10 statute which should moor
should feel bound to give nv ap-
Proval; but whether it would be for
tne oest interests Of tho public TO fix unon an
e4peoient Tor an immediate extensive appl,ca-
ION ~hlch embraces certain features Of the
a.nsnsn system, but excludes or IGNORES others
OF equal Importance, may be strenuouslv
doubted even by those who are impatient as I
am viii WITH the grave importance correcting
.ne evi!s winch attend tho present methods Of
appointment For example
THE ENGLISH RULE
WHICH enuts out persons above the age of
twenty-five years from q large number Of pub
llc enploym ants, should not DO made an e.
sgns! part OF cur system 1t is questionable
whether the attainment of tae hichcst
number of marks at . ,ompati tiv
examination e.; ehould DO the criterion by Which
M applicants for appointment should be-
put 70 tho lest, and under similar conditions it
may also be questioned whether admission to
serSiGe could DC strictly limited to it's lowest
Talks Ihere are very many characteristics
which go to make model civil servant Prom
men, among them are probably industry, good
Sense sense, hood habits. good temper, patience.
99Ieer, courtesy, tact, eelf reliance. manly
s 1stsrence 10 superior officers and money con-
these habits is not supplied BY vide hnowlet,es
d books. or by promphtude in ansWsrlne