The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-27
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
TIMELY WORMS

The report of the civil service commission,
which will be submitted, contains an account of
the manner in which the civil service law has
been executed during the last year, and much
valuable on this important subject.
l am inclined to think that there is no sentiment
more general in the minds OF the people of our
country than n conviction Of correct ness of the
principle upon which the law enforcing civil SER
vice reform is based. In its present condition the
law regulates only part OF the subordinate public
positions throughout the country. 1t applies a
test of fitness to applicants for these places by
means of a competitive examination. and gives
large discretion to the commissioners as to the
character of examination and many other matters
connected with it's execution. Thus the rules
and regulations adopted by the commission have
much to do with the practical usefulness or the
statute and with the results of its application.
The people may we'll trust the commission to
execute the law with perfect fairness and with
as little irritation as Is possible; but, of course,
no relaxation OF the principle which underlics 1t,
and no weakening Of the safeguards which sur
round 1t, can be expected. Experience In its
administration VIII probably suggest amend
ment OF the method of its execution, but i ven-
ture to hope that We shall never again be re-
mitted to the system which distributes public
public positions purely as
REWARDS FOR PARTISAN SERVICE.
Donbts may well be entertained whether our
government could survive the strain of u con-
tinuancc OF this system, which upon every
change of administration inspires an immense
array OF claimants for office to lay siege to the
patronage OF government, engrossing the time
of public officers with opportunities, spread
ing abroad the contagion of their disappoint-
ment and filling the air with the tumult Of their
discomfort. The a~llurements Of an immense
number of Offices and places exhibited to the
voters of tho land, and the promise of their
bestowal in recognition of partisan activity.
dcbauch the suffrage and rob political action of
it's thoughtful and deliberative character. The
evil would increase with the multiplication of
offices consequent upon our extension, and the
mania for oficeholding, growing from its indul-
Oanna wnnId nnrvnIa Dnr nnDlIlnfInIf N nnor-
ally that patriotic purpose, the support of
principle, the desire for the public good and
solicitude for the nations welfare would be
nearly banished from the activity Of our party
contests and cause them to degenerate into ignO-
BILE, selfish and disgraceful struggles for the
possession of office and public place.
Civil service reform enforced by law came not too
soon to check the progress Of generalization.
Ono of its effects, not enough regarded, is the
freedom 1t brings to the political actions of those
conservative men who, In fear of the confusion
aud risk attending an arbitrary and sudden
change in all the public offices with change of
party rule. cast their ballots against such a
change. Parties seem necessary, and will
continue to exist; nor can II be now denied that
there are legitimate advantages not disconnected
with oificeiolding which follows party suprem-
acy. While craftsmanship continues bitter and
pronounced, and supplies so much Of motive to
sentiment and action, it is not fair to hold public
officials in charge of important trusts RESPONSE
BILE for the best results in the performance of
their duties, and yet insist that they shall rely
in confidential and important places upon the
WORK OF JuOse not only opposed TO them In p0llt-
zeal utilization. but so stepped in partisan preju-
dice and rancor that they have no loyalty to
their chiefs and nodesirc for their success. Civil
service reform does not exact this, nor does 1t
require that those In subordinate positions who
fail in yielding their beat service, or who are
incompetent, should be retained simply because
they are in place. The whining of q clerk dis
charged for Incidence or incOmpetency, who,
though he gained his place by the worst possible
operation OF the spoils system. suddenly discov-
.rs that no Is entitled to protection under the
sanction OF civil service reform. represents an
idea no less absurd than the clamor of tho APP
plicant who claims the vacant position as his
compensation for the
MOST QUESTIONABLE PARTY WORK.
The civil service law does not prevent the dis
charge OF the indolent or Incompetent clerk, but
does prevent supplying his place with tho unfit
party worker. Thus in both the phases is seen
benefit to the public service. And the people
who desire good government having secured this
statute will not %rclinquish its benefits without
protest, nor are they unmindful of the fact tina
its full advantages can only DO gained throu' .
the complete good faith Of those having it's 81
ecution in charge, and this they will insist y ~
l that tn G salaries Of the civj' seru+
Ice commissioners he increased to a suy sly
nearly commensurate to their importar & dnties