The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-08

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the adoption of some measure for
the removal of distractions which
now impede the navigation of that
great channel OF commerce.
In my letter accepting the nomi-
nation for the vice-presidency,
stated that in my judgment no man
should be the incumbent of an office,
the duties of which he is for any
cause unit to perform, who is lack
ing in the ability, fidelity or integ-
rity which a proper administration
of such Office demands. This senti-
ment would doubtless meet with
| general acquicscence, but opinion
has been widely divided upon the
wisdom and practicability of the
various reformation schemes which
have been suggested, and OF no GER
tain proposed regulations govern
ing appointments To public Office.
The efficiency OF such regulations
has been distrusted, mainly because
they have seemed to exalt mere ed
ucational and abstract tests above
general business capacity, and even
special fitness for the particular
work in hand. IL seems TO me that
the rules which should be applied
TO the management of the public
service may properly conform in the
main to such as regulate the conduct
OF successful private business.
Original appointments should be
based on ascertainrH fitness. The
tenure of Office shlHld, so far az
practicable, be fitic, by the promo
ton of worthy and efficient officers;
the investigation Of all complaints
and punishment OF all official mis-
conduct should be prompt and
thorough. The views expressed in
the foregoing are those which will
govern my administration of the
executive Office. They are doubtless
shared by all intelligent and patri-
Otc citizens, however diverged In
their opinions az 10 the best meth
DDS of putting them into practical
operation. For example, the asser-
ton that original appointments
should be based on ascertained fitness
is not open to dispute, but the ques-
ton how in practice such fitness
can be most efiectually ascertained
is one which has for years excited in
terest and discussion. The meas
ure which, with slight variations IN
its details, has lately been urged
upon the attention of congress
and the executive, has for its princi-
pal feature the scheme of competitive
examination. Save for certain ex-
captions which need not here he
specified, this plan would allow ad-
mission TO the service only i'm its
lowest grade, and would according
ly demand that all vacancies la
higher positions should be filed by
promotion alone. In these particulars
il is in conformity with the existing
civil service system of Great Britain;
and, indeed, the success which has
attended that system in the country
of It's birth, is the strongest argu-
ment which has been urged for its
adoption here. The fact should not,
however, be overlooked that there
are certain features of the English
system which have not generally
been received with favor in this
country even among the foremost
advocates of civil service reform.
Among these are, first, n tenure Of
office which is substantially life
tenure; second, Limitation of the
maximum age ut which IN applicant
can enter the service, whereby all
men in middle life or older are,
with some exceptions, rigidly eX-
Guided third, retiring allowance
on going out of Office. These three
elements are as important factors OF
the problem as any of the others.
To eliminate them from the English
system would effect most radical
change in its theory and practice.
The avowed purpose of the system
is to induce the educated young
men Of the. country TO devote their
lives to public employment, by an
assurance that having once entered
upon il they need never leave IL,
and that after voluntary retirement,
they shall be the recipients OF an
annual pension. That this system,
as an entirety, has proved very sue
cessful in Great Britain seems to be
generally conceded even by those
who once opposed its adoption. To
n statute which should incorporate
all its essential features, should
feel bound to give my approval
But whether IL would be for the best
interests of the public, to fix upon
an expedient for Immediate and ex-
tensive application which embraces
certain features of the English sys-
TEN, but excludes or ignores others of
equal importance, may be seriously
doubted, even by those who are i'm
pressed as / am myself, with the
grave importance OF correcting the
evils which inbere in our present
methods of appointment. II, for
example, the English rule which
shuts out persons above the age of
twenty-five years from large num-
Der of public employments, Is not to
be made an essential part four own
system, il is questionable whether
the attainment of the highest num-
Der of marks at competitive ex-
animation should be the criterion by
which all applications for appoint
ments should be put to the test, and
under similar condition it may
also be question whether admis-
sion to the service should be strict
ly limited to its lowest ranks. There
are very many characteristics which
go to make model servant. Promi-
nent among them are probity, indus
try, good sense, good habits, good
temper, patience, order, courtesy,
tact, self-reliance, and manly defer
ence to superior officers and manly
consideration of interiors. The alb
sence of these traits is not supplied
by wide knowledge ofbooks or by
promptltude in answering questions,
or by any other quality likely TO be
brought to light by a competitive
examination. To make success In
such contest, therefore, an indis-
pensable condition ofpublic employ
ment, would very likely result in
the practical exclusion Of the older
applicants, even though they might
possess qualifications far superior to
their younger and more brilliant
competitors. These suggestions
must not be regarded AZ evidence of
any spirit or opposition 10 the
competitive plan, which has been 10
some extent successfully employed
already, and which may hereafter
vindicate the claim OF It's most ear
nest supporters but IL ought to be
seriously considered whether the
application often go cramped by
routine procedure ne almost to dis
qualify him from instituting the
changes required by the public In.
teresis. An infusion OF new blood
from time 10 time into The middle
ranks of the service might be very
beneficial in its results. The sub
ject under discussion IL one of
grave importance. The evils which