Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-02-23
THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE
SCHOOLS.

tSocHs idH Vi congress pro-
viding for competitive examination
as preliminary to appointment to
certain classes of government Off
GERS has taken the subject of reform
out of the realm ofthe ideal, and put
the achievement of the purposes of
the reformers among the possibilities
OF the future. What then, should the
result aimed at be finally secured,
would be the effect upon the work
done in the schools? While there
is little doubt that any changes
wrought will be gradual, it is certain
that competitive examinations of
the kind that will be required viii
compel the attention of school Off
GERS and teachers to methods that
will prepare applicants for passing
them. 1t is safe to predict that the
training that fits for the transaction
of business-neat legible penman-
ship, intelligent reading, concise
use of language and acquaintance
with the commoner business forms
will receive larger share of attell-
ton than at present. And then
there is little reason to apprehend
that increased interest in these sub
jects will detract from the pursuit of
those subjects that pertain more to
scholastic attainments and less to
affairs of every day life. On the
contrary there is much reason to
believe that the stimulus given to
the schools as whole will increase
the interest in this class of studies.
One of the best influences that can
possibly emanate from the insitu-
ton of the reform throughout the
country is the spirit of manly indie
pendence that will certainly he fos-
tered by it. The most baleful and
degrading principle that actuates
the young man i'll entering on his
career is the purpose to secure place
and win his bread by the help or
influence" of friends or any other
parties Of whom he can beg assist
ance. There is no spectacle more
pitiful than that of a young man
just starting in life and instead Of
manfully doing what his hand
finds to d." looking imploringly to
right and left for some one to
whom he may cling to be drawn
INTO a place which he covets. Es-
pecially is this true of the one who
seeks political preterment. For him
there is not only the humiliating re-
Election that no merit of his own Sc
cures for him what he desires, but the
still more degrading thought that in
the present condition of politics he is
liable to be called on at any mo-
ment to do for his superior work
that (if he have any sense of honor
or honesty Left his soul abhors.
Surely the youth who is possssded of
any spirit must rejoice in change
which makes the most desirable
places the reward of meritorious
labor and not the favors won by
begging or by doing the dirty work
of unprincipled politicians. Who can
doubt that a clear perception by the
boys of the country that there is
large increase in the number of
places now open to them, that can
be reached by their own diligent
effort and in no other way, will
incite to a steadier application
to their school work, and a greater
enthusiasm in its performance ?
No teacher of experience needs to
be told how different are the man
ifestations of zeal by the boy
whose future is all provided for, and
the one who understands that his
position in life is to be the work of
his own hands or brains. There is
little that is unnatural in the mod
crate ambition and spasmadic efforts
of the boy for whom parental solicit
tude accompanied by parental abil-
ity has removed all the Obstacles
and all the roughnesses that are
likely to be encountered in the
pathway of life. Indeed it is an
exceptionally praiseworthy disposi-
ton that under such circumstances
prompts to better work.
1t seems reasonable then to look
for nothing but good results to the
school from the institution of the
reform. In regard to its effective
ness, and prospect of thorough trial
so far provided for, we quote the fol-
lowing from the N. Y. Evening Post:
1t is said here and there that the
"whole civil service reform idea is On
trial in this attempt to carry it
Into practice under the new law.
"This is mistake. The civil service
reform idea, just as is it embodied
:" in the so called Pendleton bill, has
already been tried and tested
gin the New York custom
house and elsewhere; and where
sever it was tried in good faith and
" by competent persons it has been
" found to work successfully 1t is
mo longer a mere experiment of
uncertain issue. There is no ques-
" ton at all about its practicability
:" in all the offices designated by the
claw. Nothing is needed but ear
nestness of purpose and competent
management. There ought therefore
I" to be no deluson about one thing:
cit is not the civil service reform
/" Idea that is on trial, bat the good
faith of those who have to ex-
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