Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-12


CIVIL SERVICE.
lam inclined to think there is no SEN
timent more general in the minds of the
people of our country, than that in favor
of The enforcement of the civil service
law. In its present condition, the law
regulates only part of the SUBJ
ordinates in public positions
throughout the country. It applies
the test of fitness to applicants for
these places by means of competitive
examination, and gives large discretion
to the commissioners as to the character
of the examination and many other
matters connected with it's execution.
Thus the rules and regulations adopted
by the 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 COM
mission to execute the law with perfect
fairness. and With as little friction as
possible, but of course no relaxation Ct
principle which underlies it, and no
weakening of the safeguards which sur
round it. In its administration, amend
ments will probably be suggested in the
methods of its execution; but / venture
to hope that we shall never again be re-
mitted to the system which distributes
public positions purely IS rewards for
partisan services.
Many will rejoice at the check given
to this system which upon every change
of administration inspires an immense
army of claimants for Office to lay seige
to the patronage of the government. en-
crossing the time of public officers with
their opportunities, and spreading
abroad the contagion of their disappoint-
ment, filling the air with the groans of
their discomfort.
The aliurements of an immense num-
Der of offices and places exhibited to the
voters of the land and their bestowal in
recognition of partisan activity, debauch
the suffrage and rob political action of
its thoughtful, deliberative character.
The evil would increase with the
multiplication of Offices, con-
sequently with their increase,
and the mania for Office holding, grow
ing out of it's indulgence, would pervade
our population 80 generally that patrio-
tic purpose, the support of principle, and
the desire for the public good would be
nearly banished from the activity of our
party contests, and cause them to de-
generate into ignoble, selfish and dis.
graceful struggles for the possession of
Office and public place.
Civil service reform, enforced by law,
came not too soon to check the progress
of the decentralization. One of its effects
not en- ough regarded, is the freedom it
brings to the political action of those
conservative and sober men who, in fear
of the risk attending any arbitrary and
sudden changes in all the public
Offices with change of party rule, cast
their ballots against such chance.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will
continue to exist, nor can it be now
denied that there are legitimate advant-
ages connected with office-holding which
follow party supremacy.
While partisanship continues as pro.
nouncsd and supplies so much of motive
to action, it is not fair to hold public
officials in charge of important trusts
responsible for the best results in the
performance of their duties, and yet in
sist that they shall rely in confidential
and important cases upon the work of
those not only opposed to them in politi-
cal utilization but so STEPPED in partisan
prejudice and rancor they have no 10y
atty to their chiefs, and no desire for
their success. Civil service reform does
not exact this, nor does it require that
their insubordinate positions who fail in
should be retained merely
because they are in place.
The whining of a discharged clerk for
Incidence or incomptency, who, though
he gained his place by the worst possible
operation of the spoils system, and sud-
denly discovers that he is entitled to
protection under the sanction of
civil service reform, represents
an idea no less absurd than
he who claims vacant place as his COM
pensation for the most questionable party
work. The civil service law does not
prevent the discharge of the indolent or
Incompetent clerk. but it does prevent
supplying his place with the unfit party
worker.
The peoplewho desire good govern
ment having secured this statute, will
not relinquish it. They are not unmind-
full of the fact that its full advantage can
only be gained through the complete
good faith of those having its execution
in charge, and this they will insist upon.
1 recommend that the salaries OF the
civil service commissioners be increased
to sum more nearly commensurate to
their important duties.
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Ofthe vast collection of books and
pamphlets gathered at the capital num-
bering some 100000 volumes, exclusive
of manuscripts, maps and the products of
the graphic arts also of great volume and
value, only about 100000 volumes, or
less than half the collection, are provided
with shelf room.
The others. which are increasing at the
rate of from $4,000 to 10000 volumes per
year are not only inaccessible to the
public, but are subject to serious damage
from various causes.
In consideration Of the fact that the
library of the capitol has twice been des-
troyed or damaged by fire, its daily in
creasing value and its importance as a
place of books under the law relating to
copyright, manifest the necessity of
prompt acton to insure it's proper &C.
commodation and protection.
My attention has been called to q con-
trove,sy which has arisen from the con-
dition of the law relating to rsilroad
facilities in the city of Washington
which has involved the commissioners
of the district in much annoyance and
trouble. I hope the difficulty will be
promptly settled by appropriate legisla.
ton.
The commissioners represent that
enough of the revenues ofthe district are
now on deposit in the treasury of the
United States to pay the sum advanced
by the government for the improve
ments under the act of June 30th, 1884
They desire now an advance of the share
which ultimately should be borne