New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-12-16
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
TIMELY WORD

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
l am inclined to think that there is no sentiment
more general ic the minds OF the people of our
principle upon which the law enforcing civil ser
reform Is based. In its present condition tho
Jaw regulstes only part OF the subordinate public
positions pos. throughout the country. 1t applies
test OF hSsaess to applicants for these places by
means OF competitive examination, and gives
large discretion to the commissioners as to the
and many other matters
ana regulations adopted by the commission have
much to do with the practical usefulness OF the
statute sta and with the results of its application.
Inc people may we'll trust the commission to
execute the law with perfect fairness and with
as little irritation is possible; but, of course
no {ea ia OF the principle which underes it.
round 1t, can be expected. Experience in its
administration will probably suggest amend
ment OF the method of Its execution, but ven
lure TO hope that we shall never again be re-
m1tted to the system which distributes public
public positions purely
REWARDS FOR PARTISAN SERVICE
DOuOts may we'll be entertained whether our
government could survive the strain OF con-
tlnuance 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 contasion of their disappoinu-
ment and filling the air with the tumult OF their
dlscontent. The allurements of an immense
number OF offices and places exhibited to the
voters OF the land. and the promise of their
ueDauch the suffrage and rob political action of
Its thoughtful and deiberative character. The
evIl would increase with the multiplication Of
offices consequent upon our extension, and the
mania for ofhceholding, growing from its indul-l
gence. would pervade our population gener-
ally any, that patriotic purpose, the support Of
sOllcltnde for the nations welfare would be
nearly banished from the activity of our party
contests a and cause them to Degenerate into gno
possession of Office and public place.
Civil service reform enforced by law came not too
soon to check the progress of decentralization.
freedom it brings to the political actions of those
conservative men who in fear of the confusion
and 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 it be now denied that
with ofhceholding which follows party suprem-
acy. While partisanship continues bitter and
pronounced, and supplies SO much of motive to
sentiment and action 1t Is not fair to hold public
omclals IN charge OF important trusts respensi-
Die 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 those not only opposed to them in polit-
1cal ahhat1On. but 80 stepped in partisan preju-
dice and rancor that they have no loyalty to
their chiefs and no desire for their success. Civil
service reform does not exact this nor does it
require that those in subordinate positions who
fail In yielding their best service or who are
incompetent, should be retained simply because
they are In place The whining of clerk dis
charged for Incidence or incompetenGy, who,
though he gained his place by the worst possible
operation Of the spells system. suddenly disoov-
ers that he Is entitled To protection under the
sanction of civil Service reform, represents an
idea no less absurd than the clamor of the ap-
plicaat who claims the vacant position as his
compensation Tor 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 the 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 relinqu1sn its benefits without
protest, nor are they mindful Of the fact that
Its full advantages can only be gained through
the complete good faith Of those having it's ex-
ecution IN charge. and this they will insist upon.
/ recommend that tn e salaries Of the civil serv-
ice commissioners be increased to sum more
nearly commensurate to their important dutieA