New-York tribune., 1885-07-09
I So 90 In 1885.
. So 35 in 1855 (estimated).

Why is it. for example, that city like Rochester.
beautifully located, rich in the wealth and char
acter of its population and rich in its manufac-
tories mills and other industries, should owe five
times as much as the'State of NewYork and be
compelled to levy tax of SO 90 mon every one
hundred dollars of its assessed valuation to meet
its current expenses The mere statement of the
facts shows that there is something radically wrong
in the management of city affairs and sufficiently
explains why one of the leading issues of
the day is aud in the approaching
State campaign will be the question of
municipal reform" The mere financial question
is however not the only one involved. Our cities
have been and are being robbed by dishonest, In
competent or delinquent officials; this has not only
created indebtedness and increased taxation, but
has sharpened the appetites of INSCRIPTIONS office
seekers so that the majority of them seem to re-
gard the city treasury and municipal patronage as
their legitimate prey. To remedy these wrongs
and to guard against their repetition must be
subject Of consideration by political parties in
their conventions, and the party that declines to
meet the issue will be repudated by rapidly in
creasing class Of independent voters; and while
the writer of this article claims only limited ex-
perience in and practical knowledge of legislative
and other reforms he still believes that so impor-
tant subject should be agitated, even though no
stronger voice OF reader pen than his Is called to
the service.
The average citizen who pays no attention to
practical politics and has had no experience in any
kind of legislation has remedy for all political
and governmental problems. viz: To elect honest
and capable men to Office. Theoretically this Is
~cureall" There can be no question but that
with officials who are absolutely honest and fully
competent municipal affairs would be well and
economically administered. But the remedy Is
largely theoretical You cannot guarantee mans
honesty any more than you can legislate him into
being honest. Nor do men become "Otfcla thieves"
until the opportunity for thevery is first pre-
sented to them. Men Of good repute both as to In
tegrity and capacity are often elected or appointed
to Office only to develop the inherent depravlty of
their natures at the first temptation or to exhibit
q total lack of executive or legislative abil-
ity at a trying moment and in legislative bodies
lot of ignoramuses are about as dangerous as lot
Of knaves. But, worse than all, caucuses are
manipulated by schemers and the voter is often
compelled to cast his ballot or throw away his
vote Practically speaking, therefore, in dealing
with questions of reform it must be assumed
Though it is a sorry truth thatmore or less of dis
honesty and ignorance exists in all legislative and
municipal bodies and boards, and that to keep
these at their minima srequires constant vigilance
On the part of the citizen voter
What then the principal remediesf
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS.
1.-The first that naturally suggests itself is the
perfection Of q system of appointment to office that
shall insure to the municipality as far as possible
capable and honest public servants; business
like system of municipal Civil Service
reform. And by "Civil Service" is not meant
a means of ascertaining relative capacity by
competitive examinations. OF course II properly
handled such examinations are in themselves
test of ali applicants fitness for the position applied
for. But far greater good results from the fact
that such q system Of examinations as has been
inaugurated in this State takes appointments out OF
politics and tends to make fitness for the position
rather than partisan zeal +" and political favor
itismo the basis of selecti0n. The opponents OF
Civil Service Reform have grown hoarse In repeat-
ing the criticism that Civil Service Is farce DO
cause questions as to the depth OF streams ana
height of mountains have been propounded py the
examiners to applicants for such positions as thato1
Waterman or doorkeepcr. Aud doubtless thero
has been some slight foundation for tho
criticism But this is the fault OF tho
examiners and not OF the system The act
of 1883 is plain, rcasoAble and to the point IL
says: laws Of 1883 Ch 354, Sec. 2, Sub. ~.
"Such examinations shall be practical In their
character and, 30 far as may be, shall relate 10
those matters which will fairly test the relative
capacity and fitness of the persons, examined W
discharge the duties of that service tinio "h'cn
they sock to be appointed"
What could be fairer than thisf And to provo
that these provisions may be fairly and literally
applied has only to road the first papers OF tne
examiners in the city Of Brooklyn after the amend
ment of 1884 had psssed. And right here 1t may
be said that the amendment of 8s4 which extends
the operation Of tho Civil Service act OF 1883 10
city governments IL of even greater value than tho
origin al act Civil Service Reform rs provided tor
by law can accomplish creator and moro direct
practical good in city than In State affairs And
when the time shall como lit 1t ever
doesl when ignorant petty ward politicians
and dishonest corner grocery statesmen shall
aes's TO b numbsssd among our sisiss servants