Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1881-12-07

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lIVnYEEREICE.
THE RULES WHICH SHOULD GOVERN.
In my letter accepting the nomination for
vice-president l stated that In my Judgment
no man shouid be an incumbent Of an Office,
the duties Of which ne IL for any cause unit
TO perform, who IL lacking in the ability,
fidelity or integrity which q proper adminlstra-
ton OF such Office demands. This sentiment
would doubtless meet with general acquiesence,
but opinion has been widely divided upon
the wisdom aud practicabilIty Of the various
reformatory schemes which have been sug-
gested and OF certain proposed. regulations
governing the appointment OF the rfficers OF
the republic. The efficiency Of such fegula-
tions has been dlstrusted mainly because they
have seemed to exact mere educational anu ab-
stract tests above general business capacity,
and even special fitness for the particular work
In hand. II seems to me that
THE TEST THAT U BE APPLIED
to the management Of the public service may
properly confo,m In the main to such AS regr-
fates the condition Of successful private busi-
ness. Original appointments should be based
upon ascertained fitness. The tenure OF Office
should be stable. Positions of responsibility
should 50 far AS practicable be filed by the
promotion of worthy and efficient officers. The
investigation of all complaints and the punish
ment OF all official scond ct should be prompt
and thorough. sThe views expressed III the
foregoing letter are those which will govern
my administration OF the executive Office.
They are doubtless shared by All Intelligent and
patriotic citizens, however divergent III their
opinion as to
THE BEST METHoD
OF putting them into practical operation.
For example, the assertion that the original
appointment should fe based upon ascertained
fitness Is not open to discnssion; but the ques-
ton as TO how in practice such fitness can be
,n,ef afYact,tnlIv asoprfQtnad ia ma which hus
for years excited interest ana discussion. The
measure. which. with slight variation In ITS de-
tails, has lately. been urged upon the attention
pal feature the scheme Of competitive exam
nation. Blu Tor certain excepttuna, which
need not be specified, this plan would give nd
mission to the service. only in Its lowest grade,
and would accordingly demand That all vacan-
cies In higher positions should DO hiled by pro-
motion alone.
In these particulars u IS IN conformity with
Of Great Britain, and indeed the success which
has attended that system IN the country OF Its
birth IL the strongest argument which has been
urged for its adoption mere. Inc TACT should
not, however, be overlooked that there are
certain features OF the English system which
hay Q not generally been received with favor In
this country, even among the foremost aavo-
Gates OF civil service reform. Among them
are:
1. A tenure OF Once, which Is substantially
a life tenure. .
" "A VI N"S 80
which an applicant can enter the service,
whereby all men in middle life or under are
with some exceptions rigiuly excluded.
Z. A retiring allowance upon going out OF
These three clements are as
IMPORTANT FACTORS OF THE PROBLEM
the English system would effect a most radical
change In its theory ana practice. The avowed
purpose of that system IL TO induce educated
young men of the country to devote their lives
| en- N,,t.lsn npNnt0vV,nVf I'm an N1nav thnf
having once entered upon II they need never
leave it, and that after voluntary retirement
they shall be the recipient OF an annual PEN
sion. That this system as an entirety has
proved very successful In Great Britain seems
to be generally conceded by those who once
opposed its adoption. To q statute which
should incorporate all Its essential features !
should feel bound to give my approval; bui
whether it would be for the best interests of
the public to fix upon an expedient for imme-
date and extensive application which embraces
certain features of
THE ENGLISH SYSTEM,
but excludes or ignores others OF equal i'm.
portance may be seriously doubted, even by
Importance of correcting the evils which exist
in the present methods OF appointment. If.
for example, the English rule which shuts OUT
persons above the age of twenty-five wears
from a large number of public e~mplOyments is
not to be made a part of our system. 1t is ques.
tionable whether the attainment Of the highest
number of marks at a competitive examination
uou TX INC AItciHpH " Wuicu VII dpDflc2-
lions for appointment should be put to the test,
and under similar conditions 1t may also
be questioned whether admission to the service
should DC strictly limited TO IT'S lowest rank,
There are very many characteristics which &c
to make q model civil service. Prominen,
among them are a probable industry. good
sense. good habits, good temper, patience. or
der, courtesy, tact, self-ieliance, manly defer.
ence TO superior officers and manly considera.
| ton for supcriors.
IL ABSENCE OF THESE RATS
l. u vNat ,,....lSnnl H., ,rnrrIal - ~ 4.
| promptitude in answering questions, or by any
other quality likely tn be brought to light by i
competitive examination. To make success IN
such q contest therefore an indispensable con
sdition OF public employ ment would very likely
result In the practical exclusion OF the Older
applicants, even though they might posses.
qualifications far superior To their younger ant
more brilliant competitors. These suggestions
must not be regarded as eyincing any spirit OF
opposition to the competitive plan which ha.
been 20 some extent successfully employed
ALREADY, ana which may hereafter viudicate the
claims OF its earnest supporters; but 1t ough
70 De seriously considered whether the applica
ton or the same educational standard to per
sons OF niiturc years US 70 young meu fresh
from scnooi ana college would be likely to ex
alt mere intellectual proficiency above Other
Quaift1es OF equal or greater Importance.
ANOTHER OF THE PROPOSED
SYSTEM
is the election by promotion of all officers al
the government above the lowest grade. exceni
such as would fairly be regarded as exponents
of the policy Of the executive. and the n,1nci.
| pies of the dominant party. no afford enco,Ir.
ageslent to faithful public servants by excitina
in their minds the hope of promotion, IL they
are found to merits it. is much to be desired,
but would 1t be wise to adopt a rule GO rigid as
10 permit no other mode of supplying inc i'm.
termediate walks of the servantsY There are
many persons who I'LL subordiate positions
with great credit, but lack those qualities
which are requisite for higher posts Of duty
and besides the modes of thought and action ri
one whose service in a governmental bureau
has been long continued, are often SO cramped
by routine procedure us almost tQSdlsouaiify
him from instituting the changegN SMired by
the public interests. and
THE INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD
from time to time into the middle ranks Of the
service might be very beneficiaI In its res,,iss
The subject under discussion is one of rrave
importance. The evils which are Complained
Of cannot be eradicated at once. The work
is q growth Of years, and was not created nv =
slnxie stroke OF executive or Legislative action.
us beginnings are round In MI order in the
council promulgated In 1855, and IL was after
patient and cautious scrutiny OF it's workings
inat n1teen years later II took its present shape.
FIVE Years after the issuance OF the order In Inc
council, and AT q time when resort mad been
nau 10 competitive examinations aa an ovpo,i