The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-11-26
CIVIL SERVICE sEFoRM.
Continued from page 0,

ate Misrepresentation mas Deeh eAnlDiI
cd In asserting that technical q estiona
we're submitted l would have you
clearly understand that only In rare In
stancea are these examinations other
than ordinary. When the applicant de-
sires employment In the signal service,
the geological survey, the patent office,
as law clerk, or az an examining sur
geon In the pension office, the questions
are technical, They must be 30. His
cOvrted position dem lnds technical
knowledge, When lists OF scientific and
difficult questions are designedly pub
lished by unfair oppOnents OF this law TO
create the impression that cOllegiateH
alone can now compete, be assured that
they are selected from an examination
where the test IL technical because the
duties are.
Ii the objection tena5le, that this re-
form Introduces 0 life tenureF IL does
not, unless the executive power OF re-
mOyal Ia abridged. But the law Ia silent
uDon the subject OF removal. IL was
thus Intentionally silent. II could not
and did not infringe upon the ever pres.
ent power Of summary Iemoyal, resident
In the appointiye power. But without
discussing whether life tenure Ia de-
fenslble In the United States, u may be
added that the spirit Of thla reform pre-
vents the election OF competent en-
ployee, that an incapable faV0rlte may
Be Installed In this created vacancy.
There 10 a defect charged against the
law with q special bitterness, for II con
oerns the aVOcatiUn OF the prOfeeal
politician. II Ia claimed that this re-,
form compels the relinQnlshment OF
Rights OF citizenship, aud that the en-
pl0yee becomes neutral Individual, thus
depTiying ths government OF men VINO
should have q deep interest," In all pn0llc
affairs. This plea Ia also invalid. None
OF the franchises or panoplies OF the
American citizen are surrendered by the
civil service employee. He retains In
perfect freedom his party predilectiOns,
lie may exercise the right or suffrage
aud may voluntarily give aid 10 his
chosen party. II 10, however, ney ,rthe'
lees true that his services belong TO the
nation and not 10 a political organiza'
tlon.
Driven to the last vantage, the un
happy defenders OF tn, spolls system,
plant themselves upon the constitution
and assume 10 discover violation OF II
by one OF the rules OF the reform. IL has
been explained that when a vacancy CO.
curs In the classified service, the COM
mission Ger tlea 10 the appointing power
the four names graded highest upon the
llet OF eliglbleS, From among these
four a selection must DO made, Upon
this In founded the criticism that the
appointment prerogatiVe OF the Preei'
dent Ia abridged But how stands the
objection In the light OF constitutional
constructionY Two Attorneys G neral
of the United States held, that connning
a choice within several names did not
impair that freedom OF selection which
II was intended TO give TO the appoint
Ing power. II Ia TO DO presumed that no
executive would ever desire 10 make
a aselectlon from beyond persons, tested
and found competent. Moreover, how
could this narrowing OF the right OF
choice be an encroachment, when the
President promulgated the rule, and II
Ia subj lct 10 his amendment Careful
examination Of the authorities Will con-
vince you that no provision OF the con-
stitutlOn has been transgreqsed.
The advantages that have accl ued, Atd
W continue TO accrue, from the reform
methods may be collated RAPIDLY Merit
has been given la deserved right TO sue
ceei. No political teat In required,
Fayoritlsm cannot block the advance
OF sir cere ende .yOr 10 elevate ones ata-
tIon In life. The service OF the govern.
ment has been conducted with greater
economy. aud with more efficiency. The
spirit OF emulation has spread an au'
epiclons Influence. Well grounded OK
pectation OF prom tlon, earned by
studied effort, has Inspired the labora OF
the employee, The Legislator has been
relieved from the pressure OF onlre ap.
pealp, and tho time due TO hle oath.cOn.
secrated duties In left unmolested. The
or rlginal demarcatl0n between execu.
tive and Legislative branches has been
re'erected. The che X md balance aya'
TEN OF government has thus been re'
ylyed In oil lts potency. The possible
corruption among an army OF unmeflt'
Orious employees has been reduced 10 an
improbablllty, ~ neither the coercion OF
political benetactors, nor the temptation
OF fellow spolsmen atlects the employee,
whose tenure ia hle continuing merit
The executive officers are no longer sur.
rounded by men seeking these subordl
nate places, The free s,hool system OF
oil our States Ia In harmony with thia
reform, The pupil has an Incentive 10
enjoy lts free benefits, for The vast pre-.
ponderance OF tho on ial appolntees
have had no further education than
therein afforded,
0le FAR reaching benent 10 be derived
from the hrm institution Of this reform
In national government will DO the bet
terment of thu political tone In States
and cities. Burdenaome taxation haa
been Imposed upon States aud munlci.
palltlea because incompetent men have
been exalted 10 positions OF trust, 70.
qrlring capacity and integrity, and
meritOrols cltizenu have been rejected
In party caucuees. The mistakes aud do.
llberate frauds OF such public servants
have been represented In increased
debts, demanding higher taxation, This
reform has already made lts way Into
the State aud municipal control OF New
York aud Massachusetts,. Tho improve.
ment IL evidenced by tho unanimous
verdict OF citizens OF unlmpeachable
yoraclty, and II should be etlmnlue 10
0hlo's Legislators 10 prevent the third
State In the Union from hating In
adopting elmllar measures. With q cor.
tain extension Of the eyetem, the purl.
flcation must permeate tho localities OF
our country, aud eoonimlty aud purity
In public service return through this
provided channel.
II m " DO profitable 10 inquire whether
the clamor against this reform, proceed.
Ing from politicians, IL indicative OF q
sturdy adherence to party doctrine.
Do tbe'e fierce opponents stand 40 tho
sole aud Legitimate representatives Of
the accepted gospels OF partleep Are the
advocates OF thls reform heretlcs and
apostatee from the true talthp Tho an.
mails OF political organizations may be
consulted, and consolation and renewed