Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-16
CLARKSON'S VIEWS
On Practical Politics and Civil
Servi.e Reform.
A POPULAR IDEA OoNTRovERTED.

A POPULAR IDEA CONTROVERTED.
The Government a Politica! Not n Busi-
ness Machine-The victors Must Have
the Spoiis so as to Keep Up Their In
terest-No British Civil Service Need
Apply-Patriotisni- at the Bottom of
Ofnce-Seeking-An Economic Phenom-
enon.
CHICAGO, May 15.-"The government of
the United States is a political, not busi-
ness machine" said Assistant Postmaster
General Clarkson, in reply to Il question
on civil service reform put to him by re-
porter as he sat in his room at the Audi
torium hotel Il know that thereis gem
eral belief that the reverse is true" the
most practical politician of Harrison's ad-
ministrati0n continued, after moments
reflection s"But the belief is incorrect
To my mind cit true it would be one
of the worst things that could happen to
our government. The genius of our polit
ical progress lies in the active interest
taken in our government by the people
Must Keep Up the Interest.
THAT this interest should be kept alive
and aroused to an even greater extent than
at present is most essential. Essay
lists who enjoy formulating theories for an
ideal government admit that their cher,
ished system can come only through the
political activity of the people Now, to
keep the people active court must be made
to their personal, individual interest Let
them consider that there is not only public,
but personal advantage to be gained Then
they will work. And for working they
will be rewarded
Horrible to Contemplate.
Then you do not think this country
would be better off with such a civil serv-
ice as England possesses
Most assuredly do not. What! Perpet-
uate an officeholding class of which every
individual member upoh arriving at the
age of 90 shall receive a pensionl Neverl
What incentive would there be for such a
class to work; What aim in life would be
theirs, save TO hang on by the very easiest
method possible. Their ambition would
die for want of nourishment, and their
value to the country decrease. Theirs would
be an easy comfortable existence, with a
Scod ptUSibfl hltdtntu,
for which the cobbler who sits at his bench
all day and earns thereby g must help
pay"
Steady Work Not Good for EN-.
Il believe that continued service in the
government employ is bad for any man,
and after a certain period all the public
servants should be sent back to the people
TO renew themselves. believe that each
Office should have fixed tenure to pre-
serve the respect OF the occupant; and if
the occupant desires second term let him
show by his work that he is entitled to it. "
Wouldn't Abolish Examinations.
Would you abolish civil service exam
inations:"
No. Every mau should be examined
But he should be examined by the official
in whose employ he is to be. Is such a
principle not good in businessy Is not an
employer more able to ascertain the fitness
OF an applicant to perform the class of
work that belongs to his department than
man who not only has no interest in, but
no knowledge of, what is required in the
department in question: Is not your post
master here better fitted to examine men
for the work, the performance of which he
is held resp nsible than the men who
compose the civil service commission in
Washingtony" said Mr.. Clarkson. with an
emphatic gesture.
Patriotism the Incentive.
DO you think, Mr. Clarkson, that the
business of our government is carried Oh
so satisfactorily rs that of England, where
official position is not affected by change
OF administrations"
Yes; much better. The business of our
government is transacted more accurately
and at a lower percentage of loss than any
other public or private business in exist
ence. And Why's the speaker asked alb
ruptly. Because of the fact that there is
a rotation in office; because it is patriotism
more than money seeking that actuates
the men who take an interest in our polit-
ical life.
Some Cases i'm Point.
why, were this not so, would there he in
public office at a salary of afew thousand
dollars a year men who in private bust
ness would be worth and in receipts OF
S225 600 and S50,0OOy Would men stay in
congress for 5000 when five and ten times
the sum would be theirs did they remain
at homer 1t is because they take pride
in their work, and in following and de
veloping their ideas that they seek public
place. During the war, men who were
worth on an average 81, 500 year at home
went to the front for Sl3 a month. Why;
Because of their public spirit"
A Pointer tor Hutchinson.
you speak of the governments public
business being run at a smaller percentage
of loss than any private business. AT one
| meeting of the economic conference in Chi
| cago Charles Hutchinson, in reply to a
| question why his bank and packing house
| could not be run by the public like the
postoffice, said that should he run them SC
loosely and extravagantly he would fail in
| a year"
"He spoke off hand and without know
| ing of what he was talking" said Mr.
| Clarkson. why, sir, the postoffice OF
| Chicago is run on system which adopted
| In his business would increase his income
many fold. The postofiice of Chicago is not
run at loss. 1t makes an immense profit.
| Mr. ClarksQn then said that notwithstand
| ing the loss on many lines the postal busi
ness costs the country only about 1000
900 a year net