The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-12-10
CIVIL SERVICE.
The People Believe tho Law u be
Based ON sound Principles.

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 information on this important
subject. arm inclined to think that there Is
no sentiment more general in minds of peO-
pie OF our country than conviction Of
correctness of principle upon which
the law enforcing civil service reform is
based. In its present condition tho law reg
ulutes only part Of tho subordinate public
positions throughout the country. 1t applies
the test OF fitness to applicants for these
places by means OF q competitive examine
ton and gives large discretion to the COM
missioners rs to the character of the exam
nation and many other matters connected
with Its execution. Thus the rules and
regulations adopted by tho commission have
much to do with the practical usefulness OF the
statute and with the results OF its application.
The people may well trust the commission To
execute the law with perfect fairness and
with as little Irritation rs is possible. but of
course no relaxation Of the principle which
undcriies it, and no weakening OF the safe
guards which surround 1t can be expected.
Experience In the administration will prob
ably suggest an amendment OF the methods
OF its execution, but venture to hope that
We shall never again return to the system OF
making public positions purely rewards for
partisan service.
Doubts may well be entertained whether our
government could survive the strain of
continuance Of this system, which upon
every change of administration inspires an
immense army of claimants for Office to lay
siege to tho patronage OF the government,
engrossing the time of public officers with
their opportunities, spreading abroad the
contagion OF their disappointment and filling
the air with tho
TUNULr OF THEIR DIscoNrENT.
olt Mt IF n N IN n nnvnhQr nf
Offices and places exhibited to the voters Of
the land and the promise Of their bestOwai in
recognition Of partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action OF Its
thoughtful and deliberative character. The
evil would increase with the multiplication
of officers consequent upon our extension.
and the mania for ofHcehOlding, growing from
Its Indulgence, would pervad0 our popular ion
90 generally that patriotic purpose, the sup
port Of principle, the desire for tho public good
and solicitude for tho nations well
fare would be nearly banished from tho
them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and
disgraceful struggles for the possession OF
office and public place.
Civil service reform, enforced by law, came
not too soon to check tho progress of de-
mOralizatiOn. One Of its effects. not enough
regarded, Ia tho freedom 1t brings to the
political actions of those conservative men
who. In fear OF the confusion and risk at
tending an arbitrary and sudden change
in all the public Offices with change
OF party rule, cast their ballots
against such q change Parties seem to be
necessary ard will continue to exist. nor can
it bs now denied that there are legitimate ad-
wants. res not disconnected with Oiiiceholding
which follow party supremacy. While par
tisanship continues bitter and pronounced
and supplies SO much OF the motive to senti-
ment aud action, It is not fair to hold public
nj al n charge imOOrfAut frllStS reannpl.
siblc for the best results in performance Of
their duties, and yet insist that they shall
only in confidential and important places reiJ
upon tho work of those nc only opposed ia
them in political affi.iatioi, but SO STEPPED In
partisan prejudice and rancor that they have
no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire fol
their success. Civil service reform does no,
exact this, nor does 1t require that those In
subordinate positions who fail in yielding
their best service or who are incompetent
should be retained simply because they are II
place.
THE WHINING OF CLERK
discharged for Incidence or incOmpefency
who, though he gained his place by the worst
possible operation OF the spOils system, sud
| denly discovers that he Is entitled to protec
| ton under the sanction of civil service re
! form, represents IN idea no less absurd thar
| the clanlor Of the applicant who claims thu
| vabcnt position as his compensation for thu
most questionable party work. The civil serv
| ice law does not prevent the discharge OF the
| indolent or incompetent clerk. but It doe!
| prevent supplying his place with tho unit
| party worker. Thus in both tho phases
I is seen benefit to tho public service
| and the people who desire good government
! having secured this statute, Will not relin
! quish its benefits without protest; nor AR
/ they unmindful Of the fact that its full ad
vantnges can only be gained through the com
piete good faith OF those having its execu