St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-14
CIVIL sERVICE REFORM.
The Halvorsen Bill Sarcastica ally
Handled by Senator Durant.

hanQleQ Dy senator Dur1nt.
An interesting civil service reform
debate ensued Oh the calling up of Sen
ator Halvorsen's bill providing that the
superintendent Of public instruction,
public examiner. oil inspector and dairy
commissioner be elected henceforth in
stead of appointed by the governor.
Senator Eaton asked if this was done in
any other states, to which the father of
the bill replied that in Wisconsin and
sever"l Others it was the case. He
asked If the people could be trusted to
elect good governors why could they
not be trusted to elect good minor OIL
cerS2
Senator Durant thought the governor
might be as good judge as the people.
He then told the story of the introduce
ton, by Lycurgus, of lion money into
Sparta, and how it became necessary
for man who was going out with the
boys to take a Fetinue Of servants
with him to carry his purse. If we
extend the size of the tickets much
further continued he, ''they viii soon
become too large to get into the polling
booths. The appointments hitherto
have been well made, and the governor
is well qualified to make such appoint
mentS."
Senator Ward said he thought rs
much of the present governor as any
one else did. but it was great mistake
to think his appointments had given
satisfaction. He thought it right and
proper to allow the people to vote on
these Offices. - We want something
fresher as a superintendent of schools
than we have had" was his concluding
words.
Senator Durant-Many of the ap-
pointments have not been of the very
best, but our Democratic party will
come into power some day. and then we
viii try to correct the defects. / don't
know whether the dairy commissioner
and Oil inspectors were specially trained
for their present positions, but they are
pretty good men.
Senator Ward move, as an amend
ment, 10 strike out the oil inspector
from the bill.
Senator DHrant-Oh! strike two of
them off.
Chorus-Whieh two.
Senator Durant-I don't care which
two, but strike two off, anyway.
Senator Eaton thought it was hard
to keep track of all the names on the
ticket DOW. and the more complicated
they became the more difficult it would
be for the people II exercise their judg
ment. when the Democrats get in"
continued he, 1.-THE appointments will
all be of the simon-pure kind. Let, US
wait till then. Now, when we are on
the eve Of the great opportunity, it
would not be right TO deprive us of the
power
Senator Wards amendment striking
out the oil inspector was adopted.
Then Senator Durant moved to strike
the dairy commissioner out. This was
done.
Senator Dgfant proceeded to pitch
with a double cnrve by having the pub
lie examiner struck out.
He then moved the passage of the bill
as amended, but Senator Edwards
moved its indefinite poStpeDement, say
ing he was opposed to increasing the
state ticket with the insertion of men
with specific duties. and requiring
special qualifications.
Senator Day-These appointments
are all bartered off at the primaries,
and it would be better to trust to the
people.
Senator Ward-The worst of having
these men appointed by the governor is
that when be is seeking reelection they
all go out and stump the state in his
favor at the states expense. AT the
last election the farmers institute men
and the superintendent of public in
stTuction went out eleetiOneering to
keep the man by whom they were ap-
pointed in Office.
Senator Edwards motion was lost
and the bill was passed as amended.
This simply makes the superintendent
OF public instruction an elective instead
of an appointed officer.
When House File D came IN Sena-
tor HiXson moved its indefinite post
ponement, saying the state university
is disposing Of lands which it has no
right to dispose Of. The agricultural
college should be separated from the
university, as it was very poor apol-
ogy for an agricultural college. The
boys there were treated like paupers:
they had to make their own beds and
the ceilings were not even plastered.
On motion of Senator Durant the bill
was sent to the judiciary committee.