The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-12-18

able to Obtain, that hut few polygamous
marriages have taken place in the territory
that while there can mot be found upon the
registration lists OF voters the name
Q. man sssoal,y guilty Of, Of po'' ys:
are holding ONCE. yet at the last election in
the Territory all the officers elected, except in
one county. were men who. though not &C.
subscribe to the doctrine Of revelation, and Q
law unto all higher and more binding upon
the condition than amy human law, local or
This is the strange spectacle presented Of
community, protected BY Republican
form OF government, to which they own allie.
ciple and belief that sets at uaught that oh.
legation of absolute existence to the law of
the Land which lies at the foundation of Re
tuity and destiny Of the Nation rests upon
our homes, established by the law of God,
guarded BY parental care. regulated by pa
love.
There should be no relaxation in the firm
but just execution of the law now in opera
ton. and ! should be glad to approve such
further discreet legislation rs win rid the
country OF this blot upon it, fair name. Since
the people apholding pOlyxamy in our Terri
tories are reinforced by immigration from
other lands, recommend that q law be passed
tine country.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The report OF the Civil Service Commission.
which will be submitted, contains an account
Of the manner i'm which the civil service law
has been executed during the last year and
much valuable information on this important
subject.
l am inclined to think that there is no seati-
ment more general in the minds OF the PEG.
pie OF our country than n constitution of cor
rectness OF principle. upon which the
ent condition the law regulates only
part of the subordinate public
positions throughout the country.
1t applies tosts of fitness to applicants for
these places by means of a competitive ex-
animation ard gives large discretion to the
Commissioners rs to character OF examiDa-
its execution. Thus the rules and regular
tiOns adopted by the Commissioners have
much to do with the practical usefulness OF
the statute and with the result OF its applica-
ton.
The people may well trust the commits sion
to execute the law with perfect fairness. and
with rs little friction US possible, but of
course. no relaxation OF the principle which
underlics it. and no weakening of the safe
guards which surround it Gun be expected.
Experience in its administration will prOba-
bly, suggest amendment of methods of its
execution, but | venture to hope that We
snail never again he RENTED TO the system
which distributes public positions purely as
rewards for part san services.
Doubts may well lie entertained whether
our Government could stand the strain OF n
continuance of this system. which upon
every chnnye of administration. insi'irits an
immense army OF claimants for Office. to Law
siege to the patronage of the Government.
engrossinK time of public officers with the
opportunities spreading abroad the con-
tagiOn OF their disappOintments and filing
the mir with the tumuIt of their discomfort.
The alluremcnts of an immense number OF
Offices and places exhibited to the voters
Of the land. and the promise of their be-
Of vgMl in NIT nf apfiv ifv
debauch the suffrage and rob political
action of its thoughtful and deliber-
alive character. The evil would increase
with the multiplication of officers con-
eeQuent upon our extension, and the mania
for Office holding. growing from its indul
gence. would pervade our population so
of principle. the desire Tor 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 ignobe, selfish and 'iisgrRceful strug-
giles for the possession OF ofhce aud public
place.
Civil service reform enforced by law came
not too soon to check the progress OF de-
mOra,zation. Ono of its effects not enough
regarded and the freedom it brings to the
political action of those conservative and
and risk attending an arbitrary. and sud
den change In all the public offices
with change of party rule, east their bal
lots against such II chance. Parties seem to
be necessary, and will continue to exist. nor
can 1t be now den ed that there are legiti-
mate advantages connected with Office hold
ing which follows party suPrcmncy.
While craftsmanship continues bold and pro.
nounccd. and supplies so much of motive to
sentiment and action. it Is not fair to hold
public officials in charge of important trusts
forinancc of their duties and yet insist that
they shall rely in confidential and
important cases upon the work OF
those those, not only opposed to o,. then IN
partisan prejudice and rancOr. that tbey
have no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire
for their success. Civil service reform does
not exactly accomplish is. nor does IT re-
quire that their insubOrdnstes' positions.
who fail in Yielding their best service. or
who are incompetent. should be retained
merely because they are in place.
The VIII ming of u clerk discharged for in
dOlence or incOmpetency. who. though he
gained his place by the worst possible
operation of the spOils system. suddenly
that he is entitled to pro-
lection under the sanction of civil
service reform, represents an idea no less
claims the vacant place rs his compensation
for the most questionable party works. The
civil service law docs not prevent the dis
charge of the indoient or Incompetent clerk, |
but it does prevent supplying his place with |
the unit party worker. Thus in both the |
phases is seen benefit to the public service. |
and the people who desire good government |
having secured this statue will not relin- |
quish its benefit without protest, nor are |
they unmindful of the fact that its full adj |
vantnges can only be gained through the |
ton in charge and this they will insist upon. |
l recommend that the salaries of Civil Ser |
vice Commissioner he increased to q sum |
tant duties.
DEPARTMENT or JUSTICE
The report of the Attorney General con-
tsins history OF the conduct .i Of the Depart.
number Of valuable suggestions az to the |
needed legislation. and ! invite your careful
attention to the same. The condition of bus
such that there seems to be an imperative ne.
cessity for remedial legislation on the sub
ject. Some of these courts are SO Overbur-
dened with pending cases that the delays in
legislation amount often to q
denial Of justice. Among the plans suC-
gested for relief is the one submitted by the
transfer of all the original jurisdiction of the
Circuit Courts to the District Courts and an
increase OF Judges for the latter where
an addition OF Judges to the Cir
cult Courts and constituting them exclus-
vely Courts Of Appeal, and reasonably limit
ing appeals thereto.
Further restrictions of the right to remove
cases from State to Federal courts. permit
ting appeals to the Supreme Court from the
courts of the District of Columbia and the
only in the courts rs they are
against an unnecessary number Of appeals
from the circuit courts. l approve the plan
thus outlined and recommend the legislation
for its application to our judicial
system.
The present mode Of compromising United
States Marshals and District Attorneys should,
IN my opinion, be changed. They are allowed
10 charge against the Government certain
ices for service, their income being measured
BY the amount Of such fees within q fixed
INIT as to their annual aggregate. This is q
lirect inducemcnt for them to make
Ices in criminal cases as large as
possible in an effort to reach the max imum.
yeem permitted. As an entirely natural con-
INSCRIPTIONS Marshals are found