Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-12-12
NUMBER TT
CIVIL SERVICE.
Full Text of the Presidents Remarks to the
Mugwanapian Element.

Full Text of the Presidents Remarks TO the
Mugwapapian Element
The report OF the civil service commits
sion, which will be submitted, contains
an account OF the manner in which the
civil service law has been executed du-
ring the last year, and much good infor-
nation on this important subject. am
inclined to think that there is no senti-
ment more general in the minds of the
people OF our country than conviction
of correctness of the principle upon
which the law enforcing civil service re-
form is based. In its present condition
the law regulates only part of the SUBJ
ordinate puplic positions throughout
the country. 1t applies o test OF fitness
to applicants for these places by means
of q competitive examination and many
other matters connected with it's execu-
tion. Thus the rules and legislations
adopted by the commission have much to
do with the parctiCular usefulness OF the
statute and with the results of the ap-
plications. The people may well trust
the commission to execute the law with
perfect fairness aud with as little irrita-
ton as possible: but of course, no re-
taxation of the principle which underlies
it, and no Weakening of the safeguards
which surround it, can be expected. Ex-
perience in its administration will prob
ably suggest amendment of the method
of Its execution, put | venture to hops
that we shall never again be RENTED to
the system which distributes public
positions purely rs rewards for partisan
service. Doubts may we'll be entertain
ed whether our government could sur
vlve the strain OF a continuance of this
system, which upon every change of
administration inspires an immense
array of claimants for Office to ley seige
TO the patronage of governments, en-
crossing the time of public officers with
opportunities, spreading abroad the con-
tagion of their Disappointment, and filing
the air with the tumult of their discon-
| tent. The aliuaments Of an immenes
number of officers and place exhibited
| to the voters of the land, and the
promise of their bestowal in recognition
of partisan activity, debauch the suf-
| frage and rob political action of its
thoughtful and deliberate character.
The evil would increase with the mul-
tiplication of offices consequent upon
our extension, and the mania for Office
| holding, growing from it's indulgence.
would prevade our population 30 gener-
ally that patriotic purpose, the support of
prinople, the desire for the public good
and soIicitude for the nations welfare
would be nearly banished from the
activity OF our party contests and cause
them to degenerate into ignoble. selfish
and disgraceful struggles for the pos
session of office and public place. Civil
service reform enforced by law came
not too soon to check the progress of
decentralization. One Of its effects, not
enough engarded, is the freedom il
| brings to the political actions of those
conservative men who in fear of the con-
fusion and risk attending an arbitrary
and sudden change in all the public Of
fees with change OF public rules, cast
their ballots against such a change.
Parties seem necessary, and will con-
| tinue to exist; nor can it be now deni-
ed that there are legitimate advantages
not disconnected with Office holding
which follows party supremacy. While
craftsmanship continues bitten and pro-
nounced, and supplies so much of mo-
tive to sentiment and action, it is not
fair to hold public officials in charge of
important trusts responsible for the best
|
duties, and yet insist that they shall
rely in confidential and important places
upon the work of those not only oppos.
ed to them in political affiliation, but so
stepped in partlsa u prejudice and ran
cor that they have no loyalty to their
chiefs and no desire for their saccess
Civil service reform does not exact this.
nor does it require that those in SUBJ
ordinate positions who fail in yielding
their best service, or who are lncompe-
tent, should be retained simply because
they are in place. The whining of q
clerk discharged for Incidence or incom-
: potency, who, though be gained his
place by the worst possible operation OF
the spoils system, suddenly discovers
that he Is entitled to protection under
the sanction of civil service reform, re-
; presents an idea no less absurd than the
clamor of the applicant who claims the
vacant position as his compensation for
the most questionable party work. The
civil service law does not prevent the
discharge of the indolent or incompe-
tent clerk, but does not prevent supply
ing his place with the unfit party worker.
Thus In both the phases is seen the
benefit OF the public service. And the
people who desire good government
having secured this statute will not re-
: inquish its benefits without protest nor
are they unmindful of the fact that its
full advantages can only be gained
through the complete good faith Of
those having its execution III charge
; and this they will insist upon. recon-
mend that the salaries of the civil ser
vace commissioners be increased to Q
' sum more nearly commensurate to their
. important duties.
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